Pope members support Operation Unified Response

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFNS) --  Members of the 43rd Security Forces Squadron here have amplified their operations tempo in support of Operation Unified Response since the surge of relief effort to the eartquake-ravaged Haiti.

Every Air Force aircraft landing at the Toussaint L'Ouverture International in Port-au-Prince Airport is accompanied by Ravens, security forces members who receive specialized training in protecting and securing aircraft and cargo, said Tech Sgt. Christopher Lawton, the Raven program manager here.

Every aircraft is required to have fly-away security and the Raven program is designed to support that.

"Ravens receive training in nonlethal and hand-to-hand combat, air marshalling, cultural sensitivities, and now, many are required to go to survival, evade, resist and escape school because of the missions they take part in," he said. "Protecting the aircraft and its inhabitants are their No. 1 priority."

While not every security forces member here is a Raven, there are enough to support every mission, said Master Sgt. Robert Braziel, the 43rd SFS operations superintendent.

"Our crews are working around the clock to support Operation Unified Response," he said. "We are prepared for whatever we are needed to do."

Since the earthquake devasted the island nation Jan. 12, Ravens have provided security elements for more than 54 missions to Haiti, supplying the country with food, water and transporting relief personnel, Sergeant Braziel said. Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and Travis AFB, Calif., have also supported Raven missions out of Pope AFB.

Normal security forces operations are unaffected by the mission and they plan to continue sending Ravens for as long as they are needed.

"We are on extended operations until further notice," Sergeant Brazil said. "We're in it for the long haul."

Maj. Eric Horst, the 43rd SFS commander expressed his appreciation of every squadron member.

"The members of the 43rd SFS have shown tremendous resilience in supporting the relief missions," he said. "The operations section constructed an immediate support plan within 24 hours (of the earthquake) to provide security elements for numerous flights to Port-au-Prince and have continued to maintain that capability nonstop since the earthquake. I could not be more proud of their efforts."