Keesler stands ready for oil spill support Published June 2, 2010 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler leaders and other federal and state officials continue a vigilant watch on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and are standing by as needed for Department of Defense efforts. Soon after the April 20 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion killed 11 workers and began spewing thousands of gallons of oil each day into the Gulf of Mexico, Keesler has been ready to provide support to the cleanup effort. The Department of Homeland Security is the lead organization. coordinating interagency response efforts. According to Lt. Col. Sean Gallagher, deputy commander of the 81st Mission Support Group, Keesler has been designated by U.S. Northern Command as the base support installation for DOD forces responding to the crisis. "Although no forces have been officially tasked to operate from Keesler at this time, I've been in close contact with AFNORTH/A4, ARNORTH/A4, the Army's 167th Theater Sustainment Command and the Mississippi National Guard coordinating their efforts should they be tasked. "To date, the 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron has provided support to the 910th Airlift Wing operating C-130s out of Stennis International Airport in Hancock County," he continued. The 910th AW, based out of Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, specializes in aerial spray and is DOD's only large area fixed wing aerial spray unit to disperse oil slicks. Aircraft and more than 50 aircrew members have been deployed to the Gulf Coast to support oil spill mitigation efforts since May 1. "The 81st LRS was quick to respond to provide fuel to the 910th AW when Stennis requested additional fuel support, enabling the 910th AW to continue its mission uninterrupted to spray dispersants over the oil slick," Colonel Gallagher reported. "Additionally, the 81st LRS transported an aircraft air conditioning unit to Stennis when requested by the 910th AW." May 6, Keesler hosted a meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and other federal, state and local officials and community leaders to bolster interagency coordination of response efforts. The Keesler Airman and Family Readiness Center was quick to respond when members of the base community looked for ways they could help efforts to protect Mississippi's shoreline. "After a squadron inquiry, we sent out a list of agencies looking for help to our commanders, first sergeants and unit volunteer coordinators," said Sandra Brzovic, Keesler's volunteer program coordinator. "It's now a part of our weekly volunteer opportunities listing. "One of the first areas that needed Keesler volunteers was with preliminary beach cleaning," Ms. Brzovic said. "This was done in order to ensure that as much trash and debris is removed from the beach in advance if and when the oil comes to our local beaches." She recommended that interested volunteers register online with one of the many agencies needing volunteers. "Agencies will call the volunteers when they are needed, and the volunteers also have the benefit of keeping up-to-date on the oil spill," she pointed out. "I found that early on it was to my benefit to register online, versus hoping to get through on a toll free phone number." For a list of oil spill volunteer opportunities, call Ms. Brzovic, 377-0698, or e-mail sandra. brzovic@us.af.mil. OIL SPILL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BP Response Line Call Center: Volunteers can register to assist with the oil spill at 866-448-5816 An email confirmation will be sent to you. www.OilSpillVolunteers.com Register to volunteer Registration form and volunteer opportunities on line Pascagoula River Audubon Center www.audubonaction.org If you are interested in being trained to help wash the birds, please contact the center Registration form on line and encouraged due to high volume of calls Vessels of Opportunity BP has called upon fishermen and boaters in the Gulf to participate in their Vessels of Opportunity program Those with eligible vessels will be compensated for their use in cleanup efforts. Call 281-366-5511 for details City of Biloxi www.biloxi.ms.us The City of Biloxi is gathering information on potential volunteers Immediate notification will be made when volunteer activities are identified. Fill out the volunteer registration form. Mother Nature Network (www.mnn.com) For information on the oil spill, and different ways to volunteer Mobile Bay National Estuary Program www.mobilebaynep.com 1-866-421-1266, or on line volunteer registration form The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana www.crcl.org to register on line To volunteer your boat, in oil spill efforts, Please call 425-745-8017 Or go to www.ci.pass-christian.ms.us The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies www.imms.org To volunteer, contact help@imms.org Website gives specific information on what you need to consider, such as medical, and physical limitations etc. Sierra Club www.sierraclub.org, To volunteer, sign up on line Volunteer Mississippi www.volunteermississippi.org United Way of South Mississippi www.uw-sm.org and www.united-e-way.org to register on line Mississippi Emergency Management Association (MEMA) 1-866-920-6362 Department of Marine Resources Mississippi 6005 Bayou Heron Road Moss Point, MS 39562-6544 228-475-7047 228-374-5000