Pope Airmen make a difference
By Vicki Johnson
43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Since being tapped to assist with relief efforts after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti Jan. 12, Pope has been a hub of activity.
As of Monday, 172 aircraft have been launched, 2,834 passengers transported and 2761.92 short tons of cargo have been moved from Green Ramp, Pope’s strategic platform, since relief operations began Jan.13.
The hard work of the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron enables Pope aircraft to respond immediately to any disaster domestically or worldwide. “We doubled our manpower with the help of three other bases and worked 12-hour shifts,” said Capt. Michael Guy, 43rd AMXS. “All of the maintainers felt like they were making a difference and wanted to do more. They knew people were counting on them.”
The maintainers weren’t the only ones working to make an impact on the efforts. Senior Airman James Neely, crew chief assigned to the 2nd Airlift Squadron, was already on his second flight in the same number of days.
“It’s a good feeling to be able to help out, like I’m making a difference in the world,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Renea Johnston, 95th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, agreed.
“We don’t get to do this type of thing very often,” she said. “When you get a chance to help someone out, someone really in need, it’s very rewarding.”
Sergeant Johnston has deployed numerous times and says these missions aren’t really that different, it’s helping and supporting people either way, she said.
The crew transported Soldiers and delivered equipment, food and water before heading back to Pope to do it all over again.
AMC is participating in a swift and coordinated relief effort to save lives and alleviate human suffering in the aftermath of this devastating earthquake.
43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Since being tapped to assist with relief efforts after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti Jan. 12, Pope has been a hub of activity.
As of Monday, 172 aircraft have been launched, 2,834 passengers transported and 2761.92 short tons of cargo have been moved from Green Ramp, Pope’s strategic platform, since relief operations began Jan.13.
The hard work of the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron enables Pope aircraft to respond immediately to any disaster domestically or worldwide. “We doubled our manpower with the help of three other bases and worked 12-hour shifts,” said Capt. Michael Guy, 43rd AMXS. “All of the maintainers felt like they were making a difference and wanted to do more. They knew people were counting on them.”
The maintainers weren’t the only ones working to make an impact on the efforts. Senior Airman James Neely, crew chief assigned to the 2nd Airlift Squadron, was already on his second flight in the same number of days.
“It’s a good feeling to be able to help out, like I’m making a difference in the world,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Renea Johnston, 95th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, agreed.
“We don’t get to do this type of thing very often,” she said. “When you get a chance to help someone out, someone really in need, it’s very rewarding.”
Sergeant Johnston has deployed numerous times and says these missions aren’t really that different, it’s helping and supporting people either way, she said.
The crew transported Soldiers and delivered equipment, food and water before heading back to Pope to do it all over again.
AMC is participating in a swift and coordinated relief effort to save lives and alleviate human suffering in the aftermath of this devastating earthquake.
Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, make their way onto a C-130 on Pope Air Force Base, Jan. 14. The Soldiers are being transported by the 440th Airlift Wing to Port-au-Prince, Haiti to support Humanitarian relief efforts and provide essential airfield security after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation Jan 12. The efforts of the mission personnel will ensure the safety of future relief operations.
Last updated by Melissa Garcia Feb 10, 2010.
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