Flying humanitarian cargo helps others while training

Published Aug. 2, 2007
By Capt. Wayne Capps
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Delivering humanitarian supplies helps developing nations in Central America and provides valuable training opportunities for Air Force Reserve Command aircrews.

For example, a C-17 Globemaster III crew from the 315th Airlift Wing left here to deliver a donated fire truck and an ambulance to Managua, Nicaragua, July 29. The vehicles will serve 1.5 million people.

Authority to transport the cargo comes from the Denton Amendment program. According to the program's Web site, the Denton Amendment allows donors to use space available on military cargo planes to transport goods to countries in need. The Department of State and Department of Defense manage the program jointly.

The Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, Inc. donated the emergency vehicles.

"We are indebted to the Denton program because we would never be able to get the vehicles there," said Amy Wiza, program director for the partnership, which is based in Stevens Point, Wis.

According to Mike McAvoy, traffic manager for the Denton program, Charleston AFB flies Denton cargo on a monthly basis.

"It gives you a special feeling in your heart to know how this cargo helps people in another country," said Maj. Jason Crandall of the 701st Airlift Squadron and one of the pilots on the crew. "It makes the whole crew feel good to get to do our part."

That sentiment also rings true for Capt. Robert McGrath, the aircraft commander on the mission and also a member of the 701st AS.

"For me, it is nice to take a break from the war effort to go down and help a country that is in need," he said. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)