McChord deploys fourth C-17 in Haiti relief

  • Published
  • By 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNS) --  The role of McChord Airmen in Haiti relief operations continued to grow Jan. 18 with the dispatch of a fourth C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. 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 U.S.

 Through efforts that began Jan. 16, when Airmen operating from the U.S. east coast completed an initial mission into Haiti, McChord AFB Airmen are contribute to the national effort to alleviate suffering and save lives in the Caribbean nation. On Jan. 17, McChord AFB Airmen launched three C-17s to pick-up specialized teams and relief supplies from Langley AFB, Va., Pope AFB, N.C, and Charleston AFB, S.C., for rapid airlift to Haiti.

Two additional aircrews were transported aboard the C-17 to Charleston AFB. The Airmen will fly additional C-17s from Charleston AFB in support of ongoing relief operations. Each augmented aircrew includes an aircraft commander, two pilots and two loadmasters.

From Charleston AFB, a McChord AFB C-17 was rapidly loaded with 116,000 pounds of bottled water and food for the Haitian people and quickly dispatched to Port-au-Prince Jan. 17. On departure from Haiti, the McChord AFB aircrew evacuated 180 people to Orlando, Fla.

Airmen and C-17s continue to support additional humanitarian airlift requirements from East Coast locations.

"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 Kilb, the 62nd Airlift Wing commander.

"McChord Airmen are proud to be part of this humanitarian effort," said Colonel Kilb. "Our ability to conduct these operations is due to the partnership and expertise of both the active duty and Reserve Airmen here at McChord."

Aircraft are flown by active-duty Air Mobility Command Airmen from the 62nd AW and Air Force Reserve Command Airmen from the 446th AW here.