Canada/US Civil Assistance Plan: CC-177 helping New Orleans Louisiana with Gustav

One result of that terribly suspicious civil assistance agreement with the US that the government, for no good earthly reason, tried to keep quiet (here's hysterically paranoid reaction from the Council of Canadians). Now they're talking it up. About time. The DND news release:

Canadian Forces Provide Assistance to U.S. Hurricane Response Efforts

NR#08.007 - August 31, 2008

OTTAWA - The Government of Canada, in response to a request from the United States Government, deployed a CC-177 Globemaster transport aircraft to Louisiana today to assist with the evacuation of people from areas under threat by Hurricane Gustav.

Designated Operation UNIFY, a CC-177 Globemaster, deployed under the provisions of the Civil Assistance Plan from CFB Trenton, Ont, to Lakefront, Louisiana to assist with American evacuation efforts. CF aeromedical personnel were also onboard the aircraft to assist with any medical issues.

“The Canadian Forces have a wide variety of equipment, vehicles, and expertise that can be used to offer assistance to those in need,” said Chief of the Defence Staff General Walt Natynczyk. “Whether it’s helping Canadians here at home, our neighbours to the south, or people in distress across the globe, the Canadian Forces stand ready to support the Government of Canada's efforts in promoting safety and security.”

“I am proud of our men and women in uniform for answering this call and know that we have the mechanisms in place to respond to these types of requests quickly and effectively,” said Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, Commander of Canada Command and former commander of the Canadian Task Group that deployed to the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005 to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. “This Canadian Forces provision of support to our American neighbours upholds the longstanding tradition of cooperation and mutual support in times of crisis that has long existed between our two countries.”

Canada Command is the Canadian Forces formation responsible for the conduct of all Canadian military routine and contingency domestic operations in North America. Canada Command is working closely with its U.S. counterpart, Northern Command [here's Northcom's news release on the CC-177], and U.S. Transport Command, as part of a whole of government approach to ensure appropriate support to the United States.

The Civil Assistance Plan, signed on Feb. 14, 2008 [here's the Northcom news release that day], is a bilateral Canada-United States plan that facilitates military-to-military cooperation in support of a civil emergency in either country, once agreement for assistance is reached between the two governments [the first, and only, Canadian government mention I can find was this piece February 26 in the CF magazine The Maple Leaf--where it would be unlikely to get broad public notice].

And the Government of Canada release:

Canada Supports U.S. Evacuation Efforts in Preparation for Gustav

August 31, 2008
No. 189

The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced that Canada is providing assistance with the evacuation of those in the path of Hurricane Gustav. At the request of the United States government, a Canadian Forces CC-177 aircraft left Canada earlier today for the southern U.S. Gulf Coast. The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, indicated that he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff to offer further assistance.

“Canada and the United States have a long history of helping each other in times of need,” said Minister Emerson. “We were pleased that we could provide this support so quickly.” The multipurpose CC-177 departed from CFB Trenton shortly after midday. Purchased by the Government of Canada in 2006 to assist with a host of operations, including humanitarian emergencies, the CC-177 continues to be an invaluable asset to Canada.

“Our highly trained medical team and this specially outfitted CC-177 have the ability to quickly and efficiently move those in need of medical assistance,” said Minister MacKay. “Our military support of civil emergency operations helps to save lives, prevent human suffering and mitigate damage to property.”

Canada is providing the medical fixed-wing aircraft, with medical personnel on board to assist with any health issues, to conduct an evacuation from potentially affected areas. The exact location of the mission and its duration will depend on the storm’s track and needs on the ground.

The Canada-U.S. Civil Assistance Plan provides the framework for the execution of this mission. The Civil Assistance Plan, which was announced in February, enhances the ability of the military from one nation to support the armed forces of the other nation during a civil emergency.

“I spoke with Secretary Chertoff this morning to discuss the situation,” said Minister Day. “Secretary Chertoff expressed gratitude on behalf of the U.S. government for Canada’s help. I offered any additional assistance they may require on the ground now or after Gustav hits the Gulf states, including help from a Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team. Canada stands ready to help.”

Canadians residing in or travelling to the affected areas in the U.S. and Caribbean should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, follow the advice of local authorities, and contact their travel agent or tour operator to determine whether the situation will disrupt travel arrangements. Canadians seeking emergency consular assistance in these areas should contact the Canadian embassy or consulate, or the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa.

Canadian officials in Ottawa and at Canada’s missions abroad remain in close contact with local authorities to determine how best Canada can support preparedness and response efforts in countries affected by the hurricane.

For the latest information for travellers on Hurricane Gustav, please go to: www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/gustav.aspx.

About that possible additional help:

...
MacKay said the military is ready to offer additional resources after the storm has passed, such as its disaster assistance response team (DART), or help from a Canadian frigate, HMCS St. John [St. John's, actually], in the area.

"This situation will no doubt evolve as the weather does."

He said the operation proves the utility of Canada' four C-17s, noting that one of the jets ferried relief aid to hurricane-battered Jamaica last summer. The transport jets can each carry 144 passengers...

And note this earlier in the story:

The decision to have Canadian personnel assist was made jointly by the two nations and was prompted by a specific request for the plane from the U.S. Northern Command commander, MacKay said.

Update: Hercs too (thanks to Fred in the "Comments"):

The Canadian Armed Forces sent another two transport planes to the United States on Monday to aid in relief work for Hurricane Gustav, which smashed ashore on the Louisiana coastline earlier in the day.

The two CC-130 Hercules aircraft join a CC-177 Globemaster that left Sunday with medical crew and other supplies. It has now returned to its home base at CFB Trenton east of Toronto, but remains on standby if needed again...