McChord role in Haiti relief grows

  • Published
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNS) --  The role of McChord Airmen in Haiti relief operations continued to grow Jan. 18 with the dispatch of a third C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The aircraft departed for Charleston AFB, S.C., to take on bottled water for immediate transport into Haiti's Toussaint L' Ouverture International Airport.  Airmen were then to airlift evacuees back to the United States.

Two additional aircrews were transported aboard the C-17. The Airman will fly additional C-17s from Charleston in support of ongoing relief operations. Each augmented aircrew includes an aircraft commander, two pilots and two loadmasters.

Jan. 17, McChord Airmen launched two C-17s to pick up specialized teams and relief supplies separately from Langley AFB, Va., and Pope AFB, N.C. and fly them to Haiti.

Specially trained security forces teams, known as Phoenix Ravens, were dispatched aboard the two C-17s. The three-man teams provide enhanced in-flight and plane-side security at austere global locations. Raven teams augment aircrew support and security for passengers during evacuation missions.

Jan. 16, McChord Airmen operating from the U.S. east coast completed an initial mission into Haiti by midday. One C-17 and an additional aircrew remain on alert at McChord and are expected to depart early Jan. 18.

"The United States Air Force is in dedicated, close coordination with other U.S. government agencies and international partners to ensure necessary relief supplies, equipment and personnel get where they are most needed in Haiti," said Col. Kevin J. Kilb, 62nd Airlift Wing commander.

"McChord Airmen are proud to be part of this humanitarian effort," said Colonel Kilb. "Our ability to conduct these operations is due to the partnership and expertise of both the Active duty and Reserve Airmen here at McChord."

Aircraft are flown by active duty Air Mobility Command Airmen and Air Force Reserve Command Airmen, respectively, of the 62nd AW and 446th AW here.