AMC wings provide critical airlift role for Haiti earthquake victims

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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) --  Since relief operations began Jan. 13, Air Mobility Command aircraft have delivered more than 2,600 tons of cargo and nearly 5,300 passengers to Haiti as part of Operation Unified Response.

The first humanitarian mission carrying food and water supplied by Charleston AFB's aerial port squadron launched Jan. 17 bound for Haiti.

For the inaugural mission, the 437th APS was tasked to load 36,000 bottles of water and seven pallets of Meals, Ready-to-Eat inside a C-17 Globemaster III from McChord AFB, Wash.

In all, the load weighed approximately 116,000 pounds, with some pallets weighing more than 9,000 pounds. By the end of the load, the C-17 was completely filled, with only a few seats remaining for a handful of passengers.

The role of McChord Airmen in Haiti relief operations continued to grow Jan. 18 with the dispatch of a fourth C-17. The aircraft departed for Pope Air Force Base, N.C, to take on specialized teams and relief supplies for immediate transport into Haiti's Toussaint L' Ouverture International Airport. Airmen were then to airlift evacuees back to the United States.

McChord Airmen are contributing to the national effort to alleviate suffering and save lives in the Caribbean nation through efforts that began Jan. 16, when McChord Airmen operating from the U.S. East Coast completed an initial mission into Haiti by midday.

"The United States Air Force is in dedicated, close coordination with other U.S. government agencies and international partners to ensure necessary relief supplies, equipment and personnel get where they are most needed in Haiti," said Col. Kevin J. Kilb, 62nd Airlift Wing commander.

AMC continues to support relief efforts by transporting life saving medical supplies. Crews from Scott AFB loaded nearly 40,000 pounds of medical supplies into a C-17 bound for Haiti, and medical teams from across the command are posturing to provide medical assistance in Haiti.

Crews from Little Rock AFB, Ark., and Pope AFB N.C., continue to transport Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne to help with the situation in Haiti. During the past five days, Pope's flightline has seen more than 30 aircraft, nearly 500 passengers and about 103 tons of cargo headed to aid in the humanitarian relief effort.