Mexican response to Hurricane Katrina

Units of the Mexican armed forces responded to the emergency situations after Hurricane Katrina with aid and assistance, appearing as a flagged, uniformed force in the United States for the first time since World War II, in 1942. The Escuadrón 201-Aztec Eagles of the newly formed Mexican Air Force trained in San Antonio and Brownsville, TX and led successful campaigns against the Japanese as American Allies of WWII. [1]

Response activities

US Navy 050910-N-1467R-003 Mexican Sailors assigned to the Mexican amphibious ship ARM Papaloapan (P-411) debark a U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) as they prepare to work on rehabilitation projects in the Biloxi, Mi

On August 30, 2005, Mexican President Vicente Fox sent his condolences to President George W. Bush: "In the name of the people and of the government of Mexico, I assure you of my deepest and most sincere condolences for the devastating effects caused by Hurricane Katrina". He also mentioned his instructions to the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs; that the United States would be provided with any kind of help that was needed.^{[citation needed]} Fox later stated to the people of Mexico: "Mexico and the United States are neighboring countries and friends that must support each other in times of crisis. My thanks to you all and let us all keep supporting these efforts."^[1]

On September 1, Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas received almost 196 Mexican troops, 14 truckloads of water, a mobile surgical unit, 45 military vehicles, 3 tons of purified water, and more than 250 tons of food, bottled water, canned food, disposable diapers and medical supplies. The Mexican Government sent $1 million through the Mexican Red Cross which collected an additional million, as well as 200 tons of food delivered in five airplanes from the Mexican Air Force by another Mexican Government body. The Mexican Navy sent two ships, eight all-terrain vehicles, seven amphibious vehicles, two tankers, two helicopters, radio communication equipment, and medical personnel. Mexican aid workers set up temporary headquarters in the Houston Astrodome to assist relief workers and hurricane victims were very grateful for the aid that the Mexicans provided. The Mexicans provided hot meals to evacuees and relief workers, and Mexican medical teams also deployed into local area hospitals to tend to the influx of evacuees who flooded San Antonio area hospitals.

The medical team consisted of three doctors, three dentists, three nurses and three paramedics. They conducted 134 medical evaluations, performed 526 medical consultations, provided 363 ambulatory nursing procedures, and medically evacuated 83 personnel during their hurricane relief mission. They also offered to cover the costs of returning Mexican nationals back to Mexico. Also offered were teams of epidemiologists to reduce the risks of infections caused by mosquitoes.

The Mexican Red Cross sent four rescue experts from the state of Jalisco to assist in rescue efforts in New Orleans. The government of the Mexican Federal District also pledged to help with relief efforts.

On September 4, the Mexican Navy offered ships, buses and helicopters to assist in rescue missions. The offer was accepted and the Mexican ship Papaloapan departed from Tampico, with two Mi-17 helicopters, eight all-terrain vehicles, seven amphibious vehicles, two tankers, radio communication equipment, medical personnel and 250 tons of food.^[2]

On September 5, the Secretariat of Social Development pledged 200 tons of food, to be delivered in five airplanes by the Mexican Air Force.

The Secretariat of National Defense, on September 6, sent Mexican soldiers with expertise in rescue missions to the area affected by Katrina. Also sent the same day were 35 vehicles and 162.7 tons of food, carried by trucks traveling through the state of Texas.^[3]

The members of congress of the Federal District pledged a day of salary each on September 7, to be sent to those affected by Katrina. The National Commission of Water sent bottled water and canned food upon request. Naval ship Papaloapan arrived the same day, with 389 soldiers and other personnel from the Mexican Navy. Units of the Mexican Army, a total of 184 people, arrived by land with 35 military vehicles.^[4]

On September 8, the Mexican Army was received with honors at Kelly Air Force Base by the mayor of San Antonio, Texas. Local news channels noted the fact that the Mexican Army operated on U.S. soil after 159 years of absence, with the last time being the Mexican-American War.

End of mission

US Navy 050912-N-6925C-005 President George W. Bush conveys his gratitude to a marine from the Federal Republic of Mexico, on their clean up efforts

On September 25, the 184 person Mexican army contingent completed its 20 day long mission to provide relief to hurricane victims and relief workers from Katrina and Rita. The Mexican Army's field kitchen, a tractor-trailer turned into a kitchen, served 170,000 meals during their deployment to the former Kelly Air Force Base. They also assisted in the distribution and management of more than 184,000 tons of supplies.

On September 26, 2005 in a small ceremony conducted by the Mexican consulate, the Mexican troops ceremonially ended their mission. They broke down their camp, packed their equipment, folded their flag and drove back to Mexico. Not since the 1840s has the Mexican military flown its flag as a deployed military force in the United States, especially so close to the site of the famed battle of the Alamo where Texan volunteers fought the Mexicans in a bloody 13 day siege. The mission was accomplished.

See also

• Hurricane Katrina disaster relief
• Military of Mexico

References

• "President Fox Sends New Message about Disaster Caused by Hurricane Katrina", Sistema Internet de la Presidencia, http://fox.presidencia.gob.mx/en/activities/speeches/?contenido=20654&pagina=1
• "Fifth Army helps Mexican Relief convoy movement to San Antonio", Fifth U.S. Army/ARNORTH - News, http://www.arnorth.army.mil/news/2005/September/MexicanRelief.htm
• "Mexican army convoys head for U.S. to deliver aid to Hurricane Katrina victims", Denton Record-Chronicle (Associated Press), http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8CF2P2O0.html

Notes

1. ^ Fox message
2. ^ Fox message
3. ^ 5th U.S. Army
4. ^ Denton/AP

External links

• (Spanish) Condolence letter sent by President Vicente Fox to President George W. Bush.
• (Spanish) Mexican President Vicente Fox celebrates the uneventful entrance of the Mexican Army to US soil in solidarity.
• (Spanish) Mexican Army Departs to U.S. article on Milenio Diario.
• (Spanish) Mexican Army Returns to Texas article on Milenio Diario.
• (Spanish) Mexican Army arrives in Texas article on El Universal.
• Mexican Military Brings Aid To Katrina Victims article on the Free Internet Press site.
• Heads turn as Mexican troops roll into US with aid article by Reuters.
• A helping neighbor: Mexican military sends relief, a September 2005 article from The State.
• Mexican Forces Wind Up Humanitarian Mission, a September 2005 article (with photos) from the American Forces Information Service website.
• DefenseLink News Article