Total force team to aid earthquake victims

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Peter Dean
  • 107th Airlift Wing
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. (AFNS) --  Two C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft with 16 Airmen from Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station headed for Haiti Jan. 16.

Manned by crews from the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 914th Airlift Wing, the C-130s headed first to Pope Air Force Base, N.C., to upload humanitarian supplies. Their mission was to transport those supplies to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

"We're going down to help people in dire need right now," said Master Sgt. Ronald Szpaicher, a crew chief with the 107th AW. "We're trying to give the people some kind of comfort and relief."

"This mission has a true meaning to it," Sergeant Szpaicher said. "We're going down there to make a difference."

The five-day mission is slated to have the C-130s shuttle back and forth from Port-au-Prince to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., where more supplies will be uploaded. This on-going mission will not only supply the inhabitants of Haiti, but also the thousands of rescue workers on scene.

"I'm extremely proud that the men and women of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station have been tapped to provide aide and comfort to the people of Haiti in their hour of need," said New York Governor David Paterson.  "My heart and the hearts of all New Yorkers go out to the Haitian people in this moment of crisis. I know that these New Yorkers in uniform will perform exemplary service during their mission."

"The men and women of the New York National Guard have been leaning forward to prepare to participate in this mission," said Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, the adjutant general and commander of the New York National Guard. "We know that this will be a long process and we stand ready to provide support when called upon."

This joint mission would not have been possible a few years ago. In response to a Base Realignment and Closure decision in 2005, the 107th AW converted from an air refueling wing flying KC-135 Stratotankers to an airlift wing flying C-130s.  Now associated with the 914th AW, both units work together for one common goal, to provide fast, reliable worldwide airlift.

"Both units have been tasked to support this mission," said Col. Patrick Ginavan, the commander of the 107th AW. "It's a combined effort between the New York Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.  This is a perfect example of a successful Air Reserve component partnership."

"To provide aid to this humanitarian effort is very satisfying, " said Col. Allan Swartzmiller, the commander of the 914th Airlift Wing.  "The 914th and the 107th train daily for airlift missions. We fly, plan, maintain and load plans daily."

"This mission validates our training," Colonel Ginavan added. "It's rewarding to validate what we practice day-in, day-out."