Alamo WIng aircraft assist relief efforts in northeast

A Southern California Edison truck is loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy aircraft in support of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., Nov. 1, 2012. Military bases across the nation are mobilizing to the northeast region of the country to restore electricity and provide humanitarian assistance, as currently more than two million people are without power. (U.S. Air Force file photo)

Alamo WIng aircraft assist relief efforts in northeast

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Clifford Brummett, 68th Airlift Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, lowers the aft door complex on a U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy aircraft at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., in support of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, Nov. 1, 2012. Military bases across the nation are mobilizing to the northeast region of the country to restore electricity and provide humanitarian assistance, as currently more than two million people are without power. (U.S. Air Force file photo)

Alamo Wing flies relief into nation's northeast

Published Nov. 4, 2012
By 1st Lt. Denise Haeussler
433 AW Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Throughout the country, Air Force Reserve aircraft head to the northeast to help with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

Five crews from the 433rd Airlift Wing, Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, are currently on bravo alert for relief efforts. They are committed to flying C5-Galaxy missions from the west to east coast, moving trucks, generators and personnel to help get the power back on.

"I am so appreciative of my Citizen Airmen who are stepping up to the challenge, taking time away from their families and employers, to provide relief efforts in the aftermath of this disaster," said Col. Jeffrey Pennington, wing commander for the 433rd AW. "The Air Force Reserve is an all volunteer force, and these outstanding Airmen are helping because they want to."

The missions run in phases. Phase one of the mission picked up people and supplies from March Air Reserve Base in southern California, and phase two flew out of Phoenix, Ariz. Three airlifted out of McChord Field, Lakewood, Wash.

Aircraft and crews from 12 bases across the nation were mobilized Nov. 1 to pick up 632 short tons of equipment supporting relief efforts, including 69 large utility vehicles, according to an Air Force news release. The relief workers and equipment will augment efforts in New York and New Jersey in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Other Air Force Reserve Command units participating in the relief effort include the 445th Airlift Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, sent a C-17 Globemaster III and crew. The 439th AW, Westover ARB, Mass., provided a C-5.