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Dover C-5 hauls helicopters for earthquake relief effort

  • Published
  • AF Reserve Command Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  A C-5 crew from here flew the base’s first earthquake relief mission to Pakistan Oct. 13.

Active-duty Airmen from the 436th Airlift Wing and reservists from Air Force Reserve Command’s 512th AW left Dover AFB at 4:30 p.m. for Robert Grey Army Air Field, Texas, where they picked up two CH-47 Chinook helicopters to deliver to the devastated region.

Their itinerary consisted of a 10-hour flight to a U.S. naval station in Spain and then on to Pakistan to deliver the helicopters, said Capt. Matt Walsh, acting aircraft commander with the active force’s 9th Airlift Squadron.
Capt. Christian Fiore, 326th Airlift Squadron pilot, was one of five reservists on the crew.

“Being a reservist, we’re always ready to answer the call,” said the captain, who volunteered for the mission. “It’s a real privilege to be part of something bigger.”
A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan Oct. 8. A week later, Pakistani officials estimated that the death toll exceeded 50,000 people.

CH-47 helicopters transport ground forces, supplies, ammunition and other battle-critical cargo in support of worldwide combat and contingency operations, according to an Army fact sheet. The main cabin can hold up to 33 troops. For medical evacuation, the cabin can accommodate 24 stretchers.

While this was the base’s first Pakistan earthquake relief mission, the Dover Team remained active in supporting Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief work.