Air Force units poised to support Pacific disaster relief Published May 9, 2008 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force assets are in place at Utapao Air Base, Thailand, to support a potential relief mission in Burma. Forty-five members of the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Base, Guam, stand ready to deliver food and a water purification system as well as medical and engineering assistance to help the people of Burma. The team also is prepared to open or operate airfields to facilitate relief operations. The 36th CRG was created specifically to respond to the growing number of fast-moving contingency deployments in the Asia-Pacific region such as Operation Unified Assistance in Southeast Asia in December 2004. In addition, C-130 Hercules aircraft from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and a C-17 Globemaster III from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, are prepared to transport personnel and supplies. Should they be needed, another six C-130s and about 130 special operations Airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, are in Thailand supporting a combined-nation exercise called Cobra Gold. Although those aircraft and Airmen are continuing their support of Cobra Gold, they could be diverted if called. Air Force meteorologists at Kadena also are keeping a keen eye on the latest storm in the region, near Palau. It's the third of the season. Located on the island of Okinawa, Kadena is also equipped to provide a variety of aircraft to aid humanitarian efforts. The base operates Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters, KC-135 Stratotankers, E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft and F-15 Eagles, as well as Navy P-3 Orion maritime control and surveillance aircraft. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page