The sounds of cargo aircraft echo through the Afghan hillside. Families huddle against their makeshift homes, watching air-dropped bundles glide to the ground.

These deliveries contain blankets, firewood, medical supplies and food -- a gesture of compassion and a foundation to build on.

Since October 2004, the men and women of the air mobility division at the Combined Air Operation Center in Southwest Asia have planned and executed missions, airdropping more than 2.1 million pounds of humanitarian aid throughout Afghanistan.

“The Afghan people see things dropping out of our aircraft, and they know these things are for them,” said Capt. Timothy Ryan, division airdrop planner. “It really helps us win their hearts and minds. They know we are there to help.”

With temperatures dropping to minus 14 degrees during the winter and areas like Kabul getting up to 25 inches of snow, many Afghanis desperately need this help.

About 90 servicemembers are assigned to the division, which operates around the clock executing, on average, four weekly humanitarian airdrops. More than 300 airdrops have been completed in the last 18 months.

The locations where humanitarian supplies are needed are identified by the Afghan National Army and coordinated by the division staff.

“When planning a mission, we confirm the location, time and what the cargo will be. We also map a flight plan and arrange for an aircraft to escort the mission,” said Captain Ryan.

The division staff said there’s been a steady increase in the number of requests since the missions have started.

“There are a lot of people in Afghanistan who need our help,” Captain Ryan said.

The missions are part of coalition efforts to support the government of Afghanistan in its efforts to provide for its citizens.

“Flying over the terrain, and seeing what it’s like there -- how cold it is and how little the people have -- it’s good to know that our capabilities can also be used to help people,” said Capt. Benjamin Cameron, deputy chief of AMD tactics.

“We might not see the Afghan people using what we drop, but we know they get it and that there’s a need,” said Maj. Gabriel Griess, chief of AMD tactics. “We’re helping and it’s a great feeling.”

According to White House reports, 6 million people in Afghanistan and 1.5 million Afghan refugees depend on international relief programs.