August 30, 2005 is a day that will live on in American infamy for generations to come.  Hurricane Katrina, one of the strongest hurricanes in recorded history struck a severe and brutal blow to the gulf cities of Biloxi, Gulfport, and most notably, New Orleans.  Over 100,000 people were left stranded in what quickly became the largest and most costly disaster in American history. Shortly after first light on Monday, August 31, the Air Operations Division of Texas Taskforce One (TxTF-1), a member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue program, was activated and sent directly to New Orleans.  This unique program couples the strengths, talents, and equipment of STAR Flight with those of the Texas Air National Guard (see Texas Air Guard for more details on this unique and progressive program) to perform rescue work during flooding and hurricane emergencies.  It is available as either a state or federal taskforce, though this was the first time that it was deployed outside the state of Texas.

Six STAR Flight medical crew members deployed with the unit as ALS Rescue Swimmers and for nine days worked to collectively rescue and evacuate over 6000 people from flooded streets, buildings, housetops, overpasses, and vehicles. 

What follows is a collection of over 90 images photographed by STAR Flight crew member David Krussow.