Airmen from the Tennessee Air National Guard's 118th Wing use their imagery analysis skills to assess damage in the Bahamas from Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 6, 2019, at Berry Field ANGB, Nashville, Tenn. Air National Guard photo by MSgt. Jeremy Cornelius.
The Tennessee Air National Guard’s 118th Wing is using its satellite imagery-analysis skills to help the Bahamian islands of Great Abaco and Grand Bahama recover from Hurricane Dorian.
The 118th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group’s airmen are using commercial satellite images and off-the-shelf technology to determine the extent of damage to airfields and hospitals on the islands, as well as to pinpoint “safe routes from airfields to distribution centers, medical facilities, schools, hotels, and freshwater sources,” according to the wing.
“The products produced by the airmen are sent to higher headquarters, who then use them to more effectively direct first responders on the ground,” a photo caption accompanying a Sept. 11 release said.
The 118th ISRG can generate damage assessments and reports on the status of infrastructure, determine where hazardous materials could pose problems, and provide products to help with flood relief.
The group also assisted with imagery analysis following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as after wildfires in its home state.
"This is what we train for,” group Commander Lt. Col. Aaron Wilson said in the release. "This is why America has a National Guard. To save lives at home, to fight our nation’s wars and to build partnerships. We are here to help.”