LACKLAND Air Force BASE, Texas - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta praised Airmen here Jan. 25 for their vital role in transportation and care of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita evacuees.

“You witnessed firsthand one of the most devastating disasters this country has ever had to endure,” Secretary Mineta said. “And you rose to the challenge, meeting it with a level of professionalism and compassion that is unmatched.”

In a 55-hour period during the Hurricane Katrina evacuation, Lackland AFB received 9,788 evacuees aboard 89 aircraft. Also, critical care air transport teams from Wilford Hall Medical Center flew in and out of New Orleans evacuating medical patients.

During the Hurricane Rita evacuation, Lackland received 1,133 evacuees including 30 medevac patients. A 24-hour evacuee reception center was activated on base to support more than 900 military evacuees and their families from the Texas Gulf Coast. Hundreds of volunteers from various Air Force career fields including civil engineers, transportation, security forces and communications worked in area shelters or assisted during the hurricanes.

“Thousands of lives and hundreds of families were saved because you, our ‘hurricane heroes,’ were ready to help,” Secretary Mineta said. “No American will ever forget that.”

Secretary Mineta also toured one of the 433rd Airlift Wing’s C-5A Galaxy cargo aircraft. Reservists from the 433rd provided a high volume of logistics, maintenance, aeromedical evacuation and command and control support during the hurricanes.

The secretary is touring the Gulf Coast region to recognize people who assisted with hurricane recovery efforts.