[FedCom] RE: Natl. Guard in N.O.

[Rankin, Robert L]

I was listening to an interview regarding radio communications in the New Orleans area yesterday afternoon on NPR and thought I heard the interviewee say that the only working system (at some point in time) was the Army's "80 MegaHertz system".  He implied that this was a comms system deployed for emergencies.  Anyone know details of this mid-band system?  Or did I just hear it wrong?
 
Bob, w0nxn