Aerial porters rack and stack aid to Haiti Published Feb. 4, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Nicole Celestine 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing here continue to step forward to support the humanitarian relief effort in Haiti, following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12. Three Reservists from the 86th Aerial Port Squadron are part of a 30-member aerial port team, assisting the 70th Aerial Port Squadron, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. They are supporting missions delivering supplies and transporting emergency and medical personnel to the Haitian capital, in support of Operation Unified Response. The Air Force's airlift capability enables the U.S. to respond immediately to any disaster domestically and worldwide. Aerial porters manage and move cargo and passengers who are transported in the military airlift system. In humanitarian disaster situations like Haiti, aerial porters work around the clock, loading pallets with water, food, medical supplies, generators and search and rescue assets, and more. They also inspect cargo for hazardous materials to ensure safe transportation. Tech. Sgt. Christopher Currier, a maintainer for Intel Corporation, in Hillsboro, Ore., said since arriving at Homestead ARB on Jan. 22, he and fellow 86th APS aerial porters, Tech. Sgts. Jessie Escalera and Joshua Warbiany have processed and loaded about 20 tons of cargo, including fire trucks and Humvees. Sergeant Currier, the special handling supervisor, said since Feb. 1, the aerial port team has moved about 600 passengers from the U.S. to Haiti. When they first arrived at Homestead ARB, the three McChord Reservists primarily helped move cargo. However, Sergeant Currier, a 16-year veteran, said now the mission is changing. "We're moving more people now. Whether the mission is moving cargo and supplies or moving emergency and medical personnel to Haiti, we're committed to supporting it in whatever way we can," he said. Each aerial port team is made up of experts in airfield operations that include critical relief supplies being unloaded while aircraft engines stay running. This type of off-loading procedure allows faster ground times for all aircraft bringing in relief supplies and departing with evacuees. Engine running-off-loads and on-loads are one of the most specialized skills the Air Force brings to this humanitarian airlift operation, allowing aerial porters like Sergeants Currier, Warbiany and Escalera to download cargo in minimal time to rush aid to the Haitian people. Sergeant Escalera, an aircraft load planner, said this mission highlights the importance of teamwork and experience among aerial porters, while helping Haitian nationals. "One of the coolest things I experienced here, other than supporting the actual mission, is that we're working with fellow aerial porters who we've deployed with before, in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Sergeant Escalera. "It's fascinating how we all come together, knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses. We can easily pull together." The aerial porters will be at Homestead ARB till the end of February.