2006 Kauai Dam Failure Response

Air Guard responds to Kauai flooding CERF-P members, along with numerous other HIANG members, also participated in disaster relief and recovery after the Kaloko Dam breach and the intense flooding that occurred on Kauai, March 2005. The CERF-P sent their search and extraction team, which was made up of 154^th Civil Engineer and Medical Squadron members. Members of the 204^th Airlift Squadron also participated in the disaster relief by delivering approximately 27,000 pounds of recovery equipment to Kauai on board a C-17 to thousands of isolated residents and tourists along the island’s north shore.

– 2006 Annual Report pp. 15

HIANG CERF-P members search Kauai for Dam breech victims

by Capt. Ian Beltran and Staff Sgt. Randy Soriano, 154 CES

Hawaii’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or High-Yield Expolsive-Enhanced Response Force Package (CERF-P) Search & Extraction team was activated by the State Mar. 20, to assist in the search and recovery of Kauai flood victims.

“This mission was the first of its kind in the National Guard CERF-P community,” said Capt. Ian Beltran, officer in charge of the CERF-P mission.

National Guard CERF-P team activation took place four days after the Ka Loko Dam breach.

All CERF-P volunteers of the team came from 154^th Civil Engineer and Medical Squadrons. “As soon as I got the call, I felt that it was a mission that I needed to do,” said Senior Airman Jannett Kahaulelio.

Recovery teams were split into different search groups. Various agencies were involved in the effort, but the ground search teams consisted of; Urban Search and Rescue Teams from Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai Fire departments, Kauai’s Lifeguard and Police departments, State departments, and the CERF-P team.

When the teams arrived on Kauai, they found the destruction raging water can create. “It was shocking to see the devastation the force of the water caused,” said Airman 1^st Class Khahn Lee.

Teams searched through the rubble by hand and with the aid of heavy equipment machinery.

They hiked through rough and rocky terrain at the rivers mouth searching through rubble. Rocks were exposed by the rushing water where once a peaceful stream flowed. “Our team spotted a car by the mouth of the river. It was in the shape of a ball, about the size of a small office desk,” said Senior Airman Roger Yurko.

It must have traveled at least one half mile downstream from its origin through rampant curves and drops,” he added.

Teams also searched through thick Hau bush and mangrove trees that lined the river’s banks. The only way through the mangrove was to climb up and walk on the branches. “We all crawled through a jungle gym of brush and branches that were soaked with water and slippery from the mud. At times, it seemed like we were climbing through the brush for miles, climbing as high as 10 to 15 feet, said Staff Sgt. Carissa Maxson.

“You also had to watch where you stepped because some of the branches were not strong enough to hold your weight, especially if you were the diligent medic Senior Airman JonJay Sabati, who carried all of his heavy medical supplies as well as his day pack through all of this,” added Staff Sgt. Maxson.

The smell of dead fish, rats, or chickens lingered in the air. The stench would mislead our search in smaller piles, only to find that wildlife was also a victim.

Debris from homes was scattered everywhere.

The ground was so saturated that every step the team took, their boots would get covered with water or mud. At day’s end, the only recovery made was of small memorabilia such as a suitcase with pictures, and kid’s toys.

The search teams pressed on, continuing the search in the rocky shoreline coasts.

“At the day’s end, the team members were tired, exhausted, but found comfort in knowing that all these people from different agencies could interact and work together with relentless effort for the victims families,” said Staff Sgt. Randy Soriano.

“It opened my eyes to see the things that I need to appreciate the most in life…and that’s everything life has to offer,” said Senior Airman Shanna Vendiola.

The state of Kauai’s hospitality and generous people made the stay bearable despite the circumstances.

The CERFP Team member’s hearts and prayers pour out to the Kauai families affected by this flood. For many of us on the Search and Extraction Team, this experience was a life lesson in Mother Nature’s power and destruction and how precious life can be.

It’s amazing how people can come together no matter what the circumstances. This is what we call the Aloha spirit.

“I was impressed by the amount of devotion this team presented on this mission. The personnel who volunteered for this mission, deserve to be recognized for their efforts,” said Capt. Beltran.

– 2006 July Kūkāʻilimoku pp. 1 & 8

Blackhawk unit aswers Iraqi call

On the front page of this issue, there’s an article on the mobilization of Company C, 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation. They’re the last Blackhawk unit in the nation to be mobilized for duty in either Afghanistan or Iraq. We had asked the Defense Department to delay the unit’s mobilization until after our CH-47 unit completed its tour of duty in Iraq and could have its aircraft overhauled. If we had had both rotary wing units gone at the same time, the State would’ve been placed in a difficult position in the event of a disaster. In fact, last year, in addition to the aero-medical evacuation mission conducted on Oahu, our UH-60 Blackhawks supported operations following the Kaloko Dam break and torrential flooding on Kauai, as well as conducting missions on the Big Island after the Oct. 15 earthquake. I know that they’ll make Hawaii proud and will perform to the same high standards as those who’ve done yearlong tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.

– 2007 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 2