386th AEW finishes relief efforts in Pakistan

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Tech. Sgt. Matthew Stiles, a flight engineer with the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron helps a child board a C-130 aircraft at Skardu Airport, Pakistan, Sept. 5, for transportation to another location inside Pakistan. The child and his family are among millions of Pakistani citizens who were displaced from their homes following record flooding in July and August. The 737th EAS, along with Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Air Wing, deployed multiple C-130 aircraft and more than 80 personnel in response to the disaster, airlifting more than 1,000 tons of relief supplies and 500 displaced persons between Aug. 30, 2010, and Oct. 1, 2010, when the squadron's role in the mission concluded.

386th AEW finishes relief efforts in Pakistan

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Pakistanis displaced by record flooding this summer prepare to palletize their personal luggage Sept. 5 before a flight out of Skardu Airport, Pakistan, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft. The passengers are among millions of Pakistani citizens who were forced from their homes in July and August following the worst monsoons in 80 years. The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, including members from the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, deployed multiple C-130 aircraft and more than 80 personnel in response to the disaster, airlifting more than 1,000 tons of relief supplies and 500 displaced persons between Aug. 30, 2010, and Oct. 1, 2010, when the squadron's role in the mission concluded. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

386th AEW finishes relief efforts in Pakistan

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Aircrew members from the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, including pilots Capt. Daniel Hilferty (second from left) and Capt. Erin Van Oosten (far right), work in partnership with Pakistani military personnel at Skardu Airport, Pakistan, Sept. 5, to transport Pakistani citizens displaced by record flooding to safer locations throughout the country. The 737th EAS and 386th Air Expeditionary Wing deployed multiple C-130 aircraft and more than 80 personnel in response to the disaster, airlifting more than 1,000 tons of relief supplies and 500 displaced persons between Aug. 30, 2010, and Oct. 1, 2010, when the squadron's role in the mission concluded.

386th AEW concludes flood relief assistance to Pakistan

Published Oct. 7, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing concluded its support of humanitarian assistance operations in Pakistan on Oct. 1, having flown more than 1,050 tons of relief supplies into the flood-ravaged country during the past month, said Lt. Col. Robert McCrady, deputy commander of the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group here.

More than 80 Airmen and multiple C-130 aircraft deployed from the wing's 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, begenning Aug. 31. Once there, they airlifted items like food, medical equipment, tents, beds and water pumps into Pakistan each day, Colonel McCrady said.

Working in partnership with Pakistani officials, the wing's Airmen also helped evacuate more than 500 displaced persons.

"Our Airmen had a great running system to keep everything moving," he added. "We are so proud of what they did to help."

Despite challenging conditions and long flight hours, 386th crews said the mission was a rewarding one.

"The scope of the flooding was huge," said Lt. Col. Mark Leavitt, mission commander. "We flew over hundreds of miles of flooded-out land and houses under water toward southern Pakistan. These were very demanding conditions, but the aircrews and support personnel were very involved in the mission. They all went the extra mile, which was very encouraging and heartening."

Maintenance Airmen often worked through the night to prepare aircraft for sorties the following morning, Colonel Leavitt said, while other technicians went outside the bounds of their normal duties to get cargo and passengers to their destinations on time. Life-support Airmen took care of preparing flight crews for daily missions, for example, while intelligence troops became more involved with mission planning.

Noting that the 386th AEW was not the only unit flying aid into Pakistan, Colonel Leavitt expressed his appreciation to the host unit at Bagram for providing generous support.

"The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron has been very gracious, allowing us to work with them as they continue their missions, as well," he said.

Although the 386th AEW has now concluded its role in the relief operation, the U.S. Air Force will continue providing assistance for as long as the government of Pakistan requests it, Colonel McCrady said. Other units are picking up where the 386th AEW left off and will fly sorties into Pakistan as long as necessary.

To date, U.S. military aircraft supporting flood-relief efforts in Pakistan have transported more than 14.5 million pounds of humanitarian assistance and rescued more than 21,000 people within Pakistan, U.S. government officials said.

According to the U.S. Embassy, U.S. military C-130 and C-17 aircraft made significant contributions to Pakistan's flood relief. Aircrews worked in close partnership with Pakistan's military and National Disaster Management Authority to transport more than 5.5 million pounds of relief supplies to flood victims nationwide. The aircraft were also instrumental in the evacuation of thousands of people from flood-affected regions of Pakistan.

For more information on the flood relief assistance, visit http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/flood_relief_assistance_2010.html