Yokota AB airlifters deliver fuel to power Sendai Airport
Posted 3/24/2011
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by Beth Gosselin
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
3/24/2011 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 36th Airlift Squadron here delivered more than 2,300 gallons of diesel fuel to Sendai Airport, Japan, aboard a C-130H Hercules in support of Operation Tomodachi March 24.
The Airmen delivered the fuel to Sendai where it will be used to fuel generators and provide power.
Until recently, Sendai Airport was closed due to severe damage from an earthquake and tsunami March 11. However, teams from Japan and the U.S. cleared the debris, and it's now a main hub for bringing humanitarian aid to those affected by the disaster, officials said.
Since the start of Operation Tomodachi, 36th AS Airmen, at the request of the government of Japan, have flown 109 sorties and carried more than 360 tons of cargo to those in need.
The numbers only tell part of the story," said Lt. Col. Tim Rapp, the 36th AS commander. "We had crews in crew rest and a 24-hour planning, scheduling and flying operation in motion immediately after the tsunami, and (we) launched our first two missions the very next day."
The Airmen have provided more than 46,000 gallons of fuel, in addition to food, water, blankets, and fuel trucks and transported more than 130 people in conjunction with other units from Yokota AB, officials said.
For many supporting the mission though, the long hours and lack of sleep are worth it.
"The devastation is just incredible," said Capt. Rob Chance, a 36th AS pilot. "Seeing it firsthand reminds me how important what we're doing actually is and this could be one of the most important missions I've flown as an Air Force aviator."
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