McChord role in Haiti relief grows

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – The role of McChord Airmen in Haiti relief operations continued to grow Jan. 18 with the dispatch of a fourth C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The aircraft departed for Pope Air Force Base, N.C, to take on specialized teams and relief supplies for immediate transport into Haiti's Toussaint L' Ouverture International Airport. Airmen were then to airlift evacuees back to the United States.

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Two additional aircrews were transported aboard the C-17 to Charleston. The Airman will fly additional C-17s from Charleston in support of ongoing relief operations. Each augmented aircrew includes an aircraft commander, two pilots and two loadmasters.

From Charleston Jan. 17, a McChord C-17 was rapidly loaded with 116,000 pounds of bottled water and food for the Haitian people and quickly dispatched to Port-au-Prince. On departure from Haiti, the McChord aircrew evacuated 180 people to Orlando, Fla. McChord Airmen and C-17s continue to support additional humanitarian airlift requirements from east coast locations.

"The United States Air Force is in dedicated, close coordination with other U.S. government agencies and international partners to ensure necessary relief supplies, equipment and personnel get where they are most needed in Haiti," said Col. Kevin J. Kilb, 62nd Airlift Wing commander.

"McChord Airmen are proud to be part of this humanitarian effort," said Colonel Kilb. "Our ability to conduct these operations is due to the partnership and expertise of both the Active duty and Reserve Airmen here at McChord."

Aircraft are flown by active duty Air Mobility Command Airmen and Air Force Reserve Command Airmen, respectively, of the 62nd AW and 446th Airlift Wing here.