Colorado reservists deploy in support of Haiti earthquake relief

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Butterfield
  • 302nd Airlift Wing
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  Approximately 50 Airmen and two C-130 Hercules from the 302nd Airlift Wing left here Jan. 22 to fly humanitarian missions in support of Haitian relief efforts.

The reservists will support airlift operations including aeromedical evacuation and aerial delivery missions, transporting much needed food and water as well as other relief supplies following the earthquake that devastated the island nation.

"I am looking forward to flying missions dedicated to earthquake relief in Haiti," said Maj. Brad James, a 731st Airlift Squadron C-130 pilot.

The airlift missions will be part Operation Coronet Oak that provides rapid-response airlift to crises as requested by U.S. Southern Command officials. Throughout the two-week deployment, the Airmen will be based in Puerto Rico and are expected to fly multiple sorties into Haiti daily.

"A high operations tempo is expected for the next four weeks," said Col. Julio Lopez, the 35th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander. "Every day Air Expeditionary Force Coronet Oak is launching four C-130s four times a day."

The crews and aircraft from the 302nd Airlift Wing are expected to fly immediately after arrival in Puerto Rico.

"There is a great need in Haiti and our aircrews and C-130s will add to the critical airlift support delivering the aid Haitians need," said Col. Jay Pittman, the 302nd AW commander. "The men and women of the 302nd Airlift Wing are expertly trained, highly-skilled and ready to respond at a moment's notice."

Coronet Oak-assigned C-130s flew 30 missions, logging 111 flight hours in the first seven days of operations after the earthquake.