News

McChord's Reserve aerial port squadrons support Haiti mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Moody
  • 446th Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  As normalcy gradually returns to Haiti following the devastating earthquake in January, the U.S. military's mission gradually shifts from providing relief aid, to supporting the Haitian's efforts to return to managing routine operations in their country.

Chief Master Sgt. Arthur Green, 36th Aerial Port Squadron chief of operations here, said Reservists from the 36th APS and 86th Aerial Port Squadron helped lay the groundwork for Haitians to resume normal airport operations at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince.

"Our teams established a fully-functioning airport passenger terminal with communications and security screening for international commercial flights for 500-700 passengers each day," said Chief Green. "As planes stacked up on the tarmac, aerial support crews worked tirelessly to load over 1,000,000 pounds of military assets for redeployment to the United States."

Following 16-hour days working at the airport in blistering 104 degree heat, alternated with days of driving rain, Reservists from the 36th and 86th APS also volunteered their precious off-duty time helping at make-shift field hospitals, cleaning and removing debris in the aftermath of the earthquake, and delivering food and supplies daily to nearby orphanages, said Chief Green.

"It felt good because we were helping the Haitians," said Master Sgt. Rodney Fernandez, a security manager with the 86th Aerial Port Squadron, here. "It's about people taking care of people."