Mobility Airmen deliver search and rescue teams to Japan
Loaders from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron move to a C-17 Globemaster III to unload rescue equipment bound for Japan on March 12, 2011, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Air transportation Airmen from the 89th APS created 14 pallets of technical search and rescue gear, to include inflatable swift-water rescue boats, generators, trench rescue and cutting equipment. The gear is being transported by C-17 to more than 80 Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue technicians, to provide assistance in the rescue effort after an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Perry Aston)
Mobility Airmen deliver search and rescue teams to Japan
Airmen from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron load pallets onto a C-17 Globemaster III on March 12, 2011, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Air transportation Airmen from the 89th APS created 14 pallets of technical search and rescue gear, to include inflatable swift-water rescue boats, generators, trench rescue and cutting equipment. The gear is being transported by C-17 to more than 80 Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue technicians, to provide assistance in the rescue effort after an earthquake and tsunami hit japan on March 11. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Perry Aston)
Mobility Airmen deliver search and rescue teams to Japan
Staff Sgt. Nick Kolesnikov, 3rd Airlift Squadron loadmaster, marshals a loader carrying rescue equipment to the ramp of a C-17 Globemaster III on March 12. 2011, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Air transportation Airmen from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron at Joint Base Andrews created 14 pallets of technical search and rescue gear, to include inflatable swift-water rescue boats, generators, trench rescue and cutting equipment. The gear is being transported by C-17 to more than 80 Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue technicians, to provide assistance in the rescue effort after an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Perry Aston)
Mobility Airmen deliver search and rescue teams to Japan
Airmen from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron load pallets onto a C-17 Globemaster III on March 12, 2011, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Air transportation Airmen from the 89th APS created 14 pallets of technical search and rescue gear, to include inflatable swift-water rescue boats, generators, trench rescue and cutting equipment. The gear is being transported by C-17 to more than 80 Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue technicians, to provide assistance in the rescue effort after an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Perry Aston)
Mobility Airmen deliver search and rescue teams to Japan
Airmen from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron load pallets onto a C-17 Globemaster III on March 12, 2011, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Air transportation Airmen from the 89th APS created 14 pallets of technical search and rescue gear, to include inflatable swift-water rescue boats, generators, trench rescue and cutting equipment. The gear is being transported by C-17 to more than 80 Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue technicians, to provide assistance in the rescue effort after an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Perry Aston)
By Senior Airman Torey Griffith / Published March 15, 2011
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. ,
Airmen from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron here loaded gear and personnel aboard a C-17 Globemaster III destined for Japan March 12, in support of humanitarian relief efforts after an earthquake and tsunami struck the island nation the day prior.
The C-17, operated by the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del., carried 14 pallets of technical search-and-rescue gear, as well as two members of the Fairfax County Task Force 1, Urban Search and Rescue Team from Fairfax, Va., and two photographers from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. in support of the U.S. relief efforts.
President Barack Obama pledged U.S. support, emphasizing that "the friendship and alliance between our two nations is unshakeable, and only strengthens our resolve to stand with the people of Japan as they overcome this tragedy."
The 89th Airlift Wing provides global Special Air Mission airlift, logistics, aerial port and communications for the president, vice president, cabinet members, combatant commanders and other senior military and elected leaders as tasked by the White House, Air Force Chief of Staff and Air Mobility Command. The 89th Airlift Wing maintains a 24/7 alert - always ready to respond to global events, such as supporting relief operations in Japan.
Capain Justin Brockhoff, Tanker Airlift Control Center Public Affairs, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., contributed to this story.
