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Little Rock AFB provides humanitarian support

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mercedes Taylor
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFNS) --  Airmen from the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, dedicated three C-130J Super Hercules to deliver humanitarian aid and disaster relief response for Haiti on Oct. 7 after the Category 4 hurricane tore through the island.

Currently, the Air Force is ferrying supplies to Haiti after Hurricane Matthew crippled access to the southwest region of the island and other hard-hit areas, in which it washed out bridges and roads.

Only one aircraft from the 61st Airlift Squadron went to Haiti and provided relief. Two aircraft from the 41st AS remained on standby to offer support.

Members from both airlift squadrons and other base agencies transported personnel from the 621st Contingency Response Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, a Humvee and other supplies to Port-au-Prince to support U.S. Aid operations.

Air Mobility Command is tasked with providing unrivaled rapid global mobility. For this response, Little Rock AFB and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Hurst worked together to ensure the supplies needed were transported to Haiti. These supplies were used to immediately treat individuals affected by the hurricane.

“It feels good to be in a position to be able to help other people,” said Capt. John Rebolledo, a 61st AS C-130J pilot. “We have immense capability and flexibility to do so because of our assets.”