[MilCom] 7527U CG 1720 & 5696U CG 1705; 30 0025Z AUG 05; PVZ

[MJ Cleary]

      COAST GUARD RESCUES 2 WOMEN, BABY;
      CONDUCT SEARCH AND RESCUE, ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE

      ALEXANDRIA, La. -An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescue crew airlifted two 
women and a baby in distress near the river in Belle Chasse, La., today. The 
helicopter rescue crew was conducting an over flight assessment of damage 
caused by Hurricane Katrina.
      The two women and baby were transported to a local hospital.

      In the New Orleans area the Coast Guard currently has seven 
helicopters conducting search and rescue missions.  The helicopters have 
responded to numerous requests for evacuation assistance. The requests are 
being prioritized based on urgency of need.
      The Coast Guard also has several aircraft conducting over flight 
assessments of damage and is working with agency partners to implement a 
disaster relief plan.  Current operations involve identifying forward 
operating locations so that federal, state and local agencies can move 
shore-based personnel and boats into the city of New Orleans for additional 
evacuation operations.

      Before the storm the Coast Guard strategically placed numerous 
aircraft, vessels, and personnel in various staging points in several states 
to conduct search and rescue, assess damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and 
to assist agency partners to restore affected areas.