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Processing the evacuated

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chance Babin
  • Air Force Reserve Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  As planes continue to leave Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., full of relief supplies bound for Haiti, a great number of planes return full of evacuees coming home to the United States.

These people, many of them U.S. citizens or residents, must go through evacuation in-processing at Homestead ARB.

Currently this process is taking place at the Sam Johnson fitness center at Homestead. Maj. Larry Holbrook, 482nd Services Squadron commander, is serving as the site commander for evacuation in-processing for the base.

"It's been moving very smoothly so far," Major Holbrook said. "They've been through a lot. Many haven't eaten or slept in days. Their spirits are high. We treat them with respect, so they've been very appreciative of what we've been able to provide for them."

Maj. Holbrook's team consists of Reservist's throughout the 482nd Fighter Wing, as well as others from the base. He said he is expecting volunteers from other bases in the near future as well.

On this morning, the fitness center was bustling as nearly 600 evacuees arrived before 8 o'clock.

"It's been sporadic since this morning," Holbrook said. "We're ramping up expecting a thousand a day to in-process."

Another matter is the possibility of receiving refugees. The major said his staff will be prepared in the case this happens.

In addition to the military staff on hand, representatives from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the American Red Cross and the Department of Children and Family Services, are assisting.