2005 - Hurricane Katrina
![330-CFD-DN-SD-06-03455: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. Two U.S. Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) Swimmers, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28), watch a rescue unfold, while seated on the deck of their USN Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk Helicopter, to see i... 330-CFD-DN-SD-06-03455: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. Two U.S. Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) Swimmers, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28), watch a rescue unfold, while seated on the deck of their USN Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk Helicopter, to see i...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2005-hurricane-katrina/_jcr_content/body/media_asset/image.img.jpg/1677844068241.jpg)
Following Hurricane Katrina in late August 2005, the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) Amphibious Readiness Group, with elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed to the Mississippi coast. Once there, they assisted Joint Task Force Katrina. U.S. Army Lieutenant General Russel L. Honore commanded the mission.
![330-CFD-DN-SD-06-02871: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) pulls into the waters of Naval Station Mayport, Florida (FL), to take on supplies on its way to aid survivors of Hurricane Katrina, September 5, 2005. Photographed by PM2 Kat... 330-CFD-DN-SD-06-02871: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) pulls into the waters of Naval Station Mayport, Florida (FL), to take on supplies on its way to aid survivors of Hurricane Katrina, September 5, 2005. Photographed by PM2 Kat...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2005-hurricane-katrina/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1980932709/image.img.jpg/1677844043640.jpg)
The U.S. Navy provided initial disaster relief, operated search and rescue platforms, provided berthing for local law enforcement, supported fly-away medical teams, surveyed operations south of New Orleans, Louisiana, cleared obstructions in the waterways around Pascagoula, Mississippi, provided supplies to the supporting ships and medical supplies, and performed community rescue operations. The Navy also had 63 aircraft from six different bases performing search and rescue missions.
Some of the other 28 assisting U.S. Navy ships were: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), USS San Antonio (LPD-17), USS Shreveport (LPD-12), USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS Tortuga (LSD-46), USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), USNS Pollux (T-AKR-290), USS Defender (MCM-2), USS Gladiator (MCM-110), USS Falcon (MHC-59), USS Scout (MCM-8), USS Grapple (ARS-53), HSV-2 Swift, USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8), and USNS Altair (T-AKR-291).
![330-CFD-DN-SD-06-05785: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. U.S. President George W. Bush (right) greets US Army Lieutenant General Russel L. Honore, Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) Katrina, and US Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen, Director of Feder... 330-CFD-DN-SD-06-05785: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. U.S. President George W. Bush (right) greets US Army Lieutenant General Russel L. Honore, Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) Katrina, and US Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen, Director of Feder...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2005-hurricane-katrina/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_896003133/image.img.jpg/1677844129664.jpg)
![330-CFD-DN-SD-06-03681: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. US Navy MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopters lift off from the flight deck of USS Tortuga (LSD 46), while the ship is ported in New Orleans, Louisiana, assisting with Hurricane Katrina relief operations.... 330-CFD-DN-SD-06-03681: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. US Navy MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopters lift off from the flight deck of USS Tortuga (LSD 46), while the ship is ported in New Orleans, Louisiana, assisting with Hurricane Katrina relief operations....](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2005-hurricane-katrina/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1490270897/image.img.jpg/1677844108476.jpg)
![330-CFD-DN-SD-06-03465: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. Two US Navy air crewmen, Helicopter Support Unit Pensacola, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida survey the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Photographed on September 1, 2005. Official U.S. Navy... 330-CFD-DN-SD-06-03465: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. Two US Navy air crewmen, Helicopter Support Unit Pensacola, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida survey the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Photographed on September 1, 2005. Official U.S. Navy...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2005-hurricane-katrina/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1163538428/image.img.jpg/1677844088071.jpg)