Airmen assist with 18-ton humanitarian delivery

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
  • Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs
SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras (AFNS) --  Airmen from the 612th Air Base Squadron here and the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., worked together with the U.S. Agency for International Development to ship humanitarian aid here Oct. 21 and 25.

While the 2nd ARS Airmen delivered 21 pallets with 18 tons of medical supplies and other humanitarian aid, the Airmen from the 612th ABS helped download and store the goods, as well as ensured delivery to the intended recipients.

All of the cargo was donated by Helping Hand Ministries to Bridge Ministries in Comayagua, Honduras. Helping Hands Ministries made use of the Denton Program, which provides the authority for the Department of Defense to use extra space on military cargo aircraft to transport humanitarian assistance materials donated by non-governmental organizations, international organizations and private voluntary organizations for humanitarian relief.

For this particular mission, the nonprofit organization was able to make use of the space on two KC-10 Extenders out of JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst that conducted a flight, refueling and cargo transportation training mission.

"The Denton Program is really good for training because you get to see a vast array of cargo," said Airman 1st Class Joseph Sorenson, a boom operator with the 2nd ARS. "We got to see pallets with medical supplies, TVs, books, toys and even a motorcycle."

Once the aircraft arrived, the 612th ABS Air Terminal Operations Center Airmen began their role of getting the crew and aircraft checked into the country and operating the equipment to offload the humanitarian goods. They also coordinated to have the goods placed in a secure storage area and the pick-up of the supplies by Bridge Ministries.

The ATOC crewmembers usually unload eight pallets each week, full of supplies for Soto Cano, including helicopter equipment and household goods. It felt good to see something different, said Staff Sgt. Elliott Mason, from the 612th ABS ATOC.

"This time we got to see toys, crutches and wheel chairs on the pallets," Sergeant Mason said. "It feels good to see all of that going to a good cause."

Besides all of the training benefits, Airman Sorenson said he also enjoyed being part of the Denton Program for a second time. His father-in-law has collected goods for Denton Program cargo runs in the past, and now he has seen the program from the other side, which, he said, has increased his awareness of those people in need.

"I have a baby girl coming in two months," Airman Sorenson said. "This could be going to someone who has a little girl too."