AMC answering humanitarian call in aftermath of Katrina

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Fazzini
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) --  The Tanker Airlift Control Center here started generating missions Air Mobility Command aircrews will fly supporting Hurricane Katrina relief operations in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, through Northern Command and U.S. Transportation Command, asked for airlift support to fly relief supplies to the stricken region, said Col. Jeff Franklin, the center controller working hurricane relief mission taskings.

“We’ve already tasked two aeromedical evacuation airlift missions to fly from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss., to (Lackland AFB) in San Antonio,” he said. “In addition, AMC has been tasked to fly five other strategic airlift missions into Lafayette Regional Airport in Lafayette, La. Four of those are C-5 (Galaxys) and the other is a C-17 (Globemaster III).”

A mix of total force Airmen from active-duty, Guard and Reserve bases nationwide are flying the missions, the colonel said. They will move everything from inflatable boats to urban search and rescue team members and their equipment. Because airports and airfields in the Biloxi and New Orleans areas are without power because of extensive damage from the hurricane’s high winds, rain and flooding, aircraft are primarily flying cargo and people into Lafayette, located northwest of the coastal areas.

There has not been a staging area established for incoming cargo and people yet, the colonel said. However, the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., is flying into Lafayette on the first C-5 Galaxy aircraft.

“They will serve as an advance team to help receive the aircraft and cargo, and will stay there throughout,” Colonel Franklin said.

The AMC vice commander, Lt. Gen. Christopher A. Kelly, said the command is ready and committed to supporting the relief operations.

“AMC Airmen are capable of providing the emergency response support needed to help the region begin recovering from this devastating hurricane,” he said. “They proved their capabilities and worth during tsunami relief operations in December and January. And, just like it was then, airlift will be a central part of this operation.

The general said he command will “work hard” to meet every request any of the agency “sends our way.” (Courtesy of AMC News Service)