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Reservists respond to relief efforts in Haiti

  • Published
  • By Capt. Amy West
  • Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
Air Force reservists are working with other government agencies to deliver disaster relief in Haiti.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitian people, who have been devastated by this earthquake," said Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., commander of Air Force Reserve Command. "As always, we're poised and ready to move at a moment's notice whenever and wherever needed, and we've done just that," adding that in the days and weeks to come more assets will be directed to this critical mission.

"Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti who've suffered horrific losses," said General Stenner on Jan. 15. "This is a tragedy to say the least and like the entire country, our Reserve Airmen are committed to help."

The command initially responded by airlifting people and supplies on two C-130H's from Pope AFB, N.C., and one C-17 from March Air Reserve Base, Calif., to Port Au Prince, Haiti. An MC-130 from Duke Field, Fla., delivered personnel and cargo to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

As of Jan. 15, the command continued its support with two C-130H's from Pope AFB, two C-17s from March ARB and one MC-130 from Duke Field, delivering troops and supplies to Port Au Prince.

Two C-130H's along with four crews and two aeromedical evacuation teams at Pope AFB, and one MC-130 and three crews from Duke Field are on alert, according to Col. Bruce Bowers, director of operations for Air Force Reserve Command. Additionally, four HH-60 rescue helicopters, five C-130s, three C-5s and two KC-135s are standing by to provide assistance. AFRC's Homestead ARB, Fla., is serving as a staging location for relief operations to Haiti.

U.S. Southern Command is coordinating with the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development to assess the situation after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake left thousands of people dead and many more trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

"We've been asked by the Department of State and the Department of Defense to provide assistance. We will do so in a supporting role," SOUTHCOM officials said in a written statement. The USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance is the lead U.S. government agency for U.S. disaster relief efforts, according to a released statement. SOUTHCOM is the lead agency for DOD efforts. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)