Little Rock AFB hub for international Katrina aid

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LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. (AFPN) --  The first international aid for Hurricane Katrina victims touched down in Arkansas on Sept. 5, and more international flights are on the way.

The base was tapped as the hub and clearinghouse for all international aid air shipments for Hurricane Katrina victims.

"Little Rock Air Force Base is proud to be participating in the relief effort for Hurricane Katrina," said Brig. Gen. Joseph M. Reheiser, 314th Airlift Wing commander. "Serving as the hub for international aid, Little Rock Air Force Base stands ready and able to take on the incoming relief supplies. Our Airmen have played a vital role in this process and are working hard to provide relief to our southern neighbors."

The base has already received more than 180 tons of cargo and is expected to receive an additional 250 tons in the next few days, officials said.

Contracted tractor-trailer drivers started driving the cargo to the Gulf Coast on Sept. 6.

Little Rock trains aircrews from all branches of the military and 28 allied nations on the C-130 Hercules aircraft.

"Our Airmen … continuously train to deliver people and supplies,” General Reheiser said. “This lifesaving effort is an excellent opportunity to put our training to use in helping the Americans displaced by Hurricane Katrina.”

Little Rock has been busy flying 25 C-130 relief support missions, sending 36 Airmen to support Joint Task Force-Katrina and delivering more than 45 tons of cargo for the hurricane relief effort.