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NORTHCOM/AFNORTH receives NIUSR Eagle award

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jerry Harlan
  • AFNORTH Public Affairs
The commander of Air Forces Northern here will be accepting the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue's Eagle award on behalf of United States Northern Command Feb. 10. 

Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, AFNORTH commander, will be presented the award during the NIUSR "SMART POWER-The Front Line" conference in San Diego. 

"I am very honored to accept this award on behalf of the men and women of AFNORTH and U.S. NORTHCOM," said General Morrow. "AFNORTH provided NORTHCOM with the personnel and resources they needed, at exactly the right time, and together we saved lives and minimized suffering." 

NORTHCOM was nominated for the award by Ed Brickley, Search & Rescue Coordinator for Texas Engineering Extension Service, for the multi-agency coordination of helicopter air support to local and state government that rescued 400 Galveston citizens during Hurricane Ike that hit the Texas gulf coast in September 2008. 

TEEX has the overall responsibility for search and rescue efforts in Texas.

"This joint operation is the example of how the Department of Defense can mobilize to support states during catastrophic disasters, exemplifying the spirit and intent of the National Response Framework," said Mr. Brickley. "Their support to the State of Texas as Hurricane Ike made landfall and immediately following this devastating disaster directly resulted in hundreds of lives being saved. The unwavering dedication, professionalism and bravery of the rescue personnel involved cannot be overstated." 

The Eagle award is a travelling trophy presented annually by the NIUSR to the person or organization who exhibits extreme courage in disastrous circumstances when the rescuers' life(s) were at extreme risk. 

For more information contact Master Sgt. Jerry Harlan, AFNORTH Public Affairs, at (850) 283-8080 or afnorthpa@tyndall.af.mil.