Ohio National Guard Relief Efforts

 

179th Airlift Wing assists Haiti relief efforts

Ohio National Guard
State Headquarters, Public Affairs Office

Relief Effort Quick Facts

From Jan. 13 – 24 2010, Airmen from the 179th Airlift Wing supported Haiti earthquake relief efforts as a part of Operation Unified Response while deployed in support Air Expeditionary Force Coronet Oak, under the 35th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Muniz Air Base, Puerto Rico.

  • Despite manning shortfalls of more than 50 percent, the troops performed superbly, working rigorous schedules well in excess of 12 hours per day to ensure mission success.
  • The 179th launched their first two military airlift missions into Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Jan. 13, 2010, launching their aircraft two hours and 35 minutes after being alerted. They were the first USAF responders in Haiti.  
  • In the 12-day period immediately following Haiti's earthquake, the 179th conducted 79 operational sorties and 37 missions totaling 194.2 flight hours.
  • They transported 308.6 short tons of cargo, disaster relief teams, 141 disaster evacuees, 2 working dogs and 113 pallets of essential supplies.

COLUMBUS, Ohio—As many stand poised around the country ready to answer the call, the Ohio Air National Guard has already provided two C-130 “Hercules” cargo aircraft from the Mansfield-based 179th Airlift Wing to provide immediate assistance to Haiti.

The 179th originally deployed to Puerto Rico during a planned rotation in support of Operation Coronet Oak—a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) theater airlift support mission—on Dec. 26, 2009. The current rotation of 45 Airmen arrived Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010. The troops are under command and control of SOUTHCOM and the mission is federally funded.

Three days after the current rotation of Airmen arrived in Puerto Rico, the powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit neighboring Haiti. The same evening, SOUTHCOM placed three crews from the 179th on alert and early Wednesday morning activated the first crew, which was airborne within three hours.

The aircraft flew to Florida to collect search and rescue teams and communication crews and deliver them to Port-au-Prince. Shortly after, a second crew was alerted and airborne.

The first crew, led by Lt. Col. Kenneth Pecoraro, arrived in Port-au-Prince as the sun was setting Wednesday evening and landed successfully, despite challenging terrain and a downed communication tower. The Ohio National Guard C-130 was the first such aircraft to land in Port-au-Prince. The second crew, commanded by Lt. Col. William Baulkmon, arrived after sunset with three pallets of communication materials to improve departure and approach communication at Port-au-Prince airport.

In addition, three Puerto Rico Air National Guard aircraft have been tasked to the 179th Airlift Wing for this operation. This morning, 179th crews arrived in Florida in two of these aircraft to pick up and deliver additional supplies and personnel. They will arrive in Haiti by early afternoon.

Airmen from the Mansfield-based 179th Airlift Wing unload bottled water and supplies from a C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft Jan. 19, 2010, at Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during relief efforts following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake Jan. 12 that devastated the capital city. The Airmen, who were deployed to Puerto Rico when the quake hit, were immediately diverted to conduct relief efforts. (courtesy photos)