Members of the NASA Ames Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team Communications (DARTCOM) were deployed to the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans, Louisiana, and provided critical, multi-mode, communications support in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Bill Notley and Michael Wright presented their experiences of setting up and operating comm systems that helped MAF operations during relief efforts. Communications equipment included satellite phones, government radios, and amateur radios. Observations of some of activities by Marines and Army will be discussed as well. Presentation will include experiences of living in a isolated environment where accomodations included inflatable mattresses, MREs, and at times no running water for showers.
