Logistics Center Rapid Response Team Supports the National Airspace System

Whether it's a natural disaster, a real estate problem, or equipment failure, the Logistics Center is always prepared to support the National Airspace System (NAS), 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week . Restoration of navigation facilities became a critical priority as recovery efforts depend on flights getting in and out of the disaster area.

An example of the Logistics Center response to emergency requests is a request for navigational aids for the islands of the Maldives who were in the path of the tsunami in southeast Asia. The local airport was in desperate need of aircraft guidance to continue the support of commercial aircraft into the area. The Logistics Center suggested loaning a mobile very high frequency omni-directional range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) to the area. This equipment could quickly re-establish aircraft guidance to aid in the relief efforts. Dozens of personnel were quickly brought together to get this project underway. They worked days, nights, and weekends to prepare the trailer, establish travel arrangements, coordinate foreign power requirements, confirm reliable communications, validate shipping, etc. This project was the fastest "ready for shipment" task ever undertaken and thanks to the dedicated Logistics Center employees, it was successfully completed on schedule.

Super Typhoons in Guam are other examples of Logistics Center responses. One typhoon hit in 1997, and on December 7, 2002, Super Typhoon Pongson pummeled Guam with winds over 120 mph and left the island without power, telephone service, water, and many of the FAA navigational aids. Equipment was shipped and Logistics Center personnel were dispatched to Guam to install the new equipment and restore as much of the damaged systems as possible. The Logistics Center responded with similar help for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.