Team heads to Chile for air show, but not empty-handed

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) --  Approximately 30 Airmen and two F-22 Raptors from Holloman Air Force Base headed to Chile to participate in an air show, but took more equipment then initially planned.

The plan had been in effect for months for the Airmen and aircraft to support the 2010 FIDAE Air and Trade Show that would mark the debut of the F-22 to South America; however, after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit the country only weeks before the show and damaging thousands of homes, Airmen deploying knew they could not leave the base empty-handed.

"If we can do something, we're going to do it," said Maj. August Pfluger, the 49th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations. "Whatever that impact may be remains to be seen, but we're going to offer every bit of support."

In a collaboration spearheaded by the 49th OSS staff, more than 5,000 pounds of supplies were gathered, packed and transported to Chile in a KC-10 Extender March 19 with the 30-man crew in lieu of some extra personal gear.

"We asked everybody on board to reduce their own personal baggage -- to bring the minimal amount of clothes and whatever else they would need -- so we could put thousands of pounds worth of the equipment on the KC-10," Major Pfluger said.

After the earthquake hit the country, the 49th Fighter Wing, Air Force South and U.S. South Command teamed up to figure out how they could help, and just days before the team of Airmen and F-22s were set to leave, their outline of ideas became a concrete plan.

"When we started coordinating with (U.S. Agency for International Development) on the ground, they informed us that the real need was for construction supplies to aid in rebuilding the damaged homes and shelters of Chile," said Senior Master Sgt. Rufino Gonzalez, the 49th OSS superintendent. "Once U.S. Southern Command found out what we were trying to do, they donated $20,000 to Holloman to make it possible for us to procure nonpowered building supplies for delivery to Chile."

With the deadline quickly approaching, members from the 49th OSS, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 49th Comptroller Squadron and 49th Contracting Squadron went to work.

More than $13,000 was spent in the local community at local hardware stores, Major Pfluger said.

"The supplies will go to USAID representatives and then in conjunction with the (U.S.) Military Group at the embassy, they will determine which areas of Chile need them the most," the major explained.

Major Pfluger, who is part of the crew in Chile, said on top of providing supplies, the team who were sent as maintenance and support personnel for the air show had already offered a helping hand.

"I know they have several things scheduled for us, so while we're there, we are not going to be sitting by idly," Major Pfluger said. "We will actively pursue getting into the cleanup effort."

Although the team does not expect the supplies to solve any major problems, the 49th FW commander said it fills him with a great sense of pride to see Holloman AFB members go above and beyond the mission at hand.

"The 49th Fighter Wing is honored to assist the people of Chile as they begin the reconstruction process of their nation," said Col. Jeff Harrigian, the 49th FW commander. "The initiative of Team Holloman members to supply equipment and material, while also promoting relations between our two countries, is remarkable and heartening. Even though we were limited on space and were here for another mission, the true success of this trip will be measured in the number of Chileans we were able to help."