SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command has directed allocation of its airlift, aeromedical evacuation and contingency response assets to federal Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, as requested by U.S. Northern Command Aug. 30.
AMC C-17, C-130, C-5 and KC-10 aircraft from continental U.S. AMC wings, elements of the 621st Contingency Response Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and various support personnel are deploying to affected areas of Texas to support ongoing FEMA- and USNORTHCOM-led efforts to provide relief to residents affected by the recent storm.
“As we support our joint warfighters and allies across the globe, we remain ready when called to assist in life-saving efforts for Americans and those in need following any natural disaster or other crisis,” said Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, Air Mobility Command commander. “We’re proud to serve alongside our federal, state and local partners to assist our fellow citizens.”
Command, control and coordination of humanitarian airlift efforts for victims of hurricanes is provided by the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The 618th TACC coordinates an average of 500 airlift and air refueling missions each day, and can seamlessly redirect aircraft to support requirements for contingency or humanitarian relief operations.
In the aftermath of 2016’s Hurricane Matthew, AMC and the TACC coordinated 38 missions and 110 sorties for 30 mobility aircraft, which evacuated 2,160 passengers and delivered 588 short-tons of cargo.