79th RQS Airmen support Haiti

  • Published
  • By Capt. Stacie N. Shafran
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) --  Members of the 79th Rescue Squadron based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base participated in a Haitian relief mission during the evening of Jan. 13 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

During this mission, Airmen on a C-130 Hercules delivered more than 13,000 pounds of cargo that include vehicles and equipment.

The Airmen also dropped off airfield operations personnel to help set up the airfield in Port-au-Prince and control the relief traffic in and out of the airfield.

"It felt great to be part of this mission to help the people of Haiti by setting up the main airfield to receive relief supplies," said Capt. Tim Saxton, the C-130 aircraft commander.

The 79th RQS was at Pope AIr Force Base, N.C., conducting training when they were asked to transport cargo and personnel into Haiti. They were in the air with the cargo within five hours of the request.

"Our aircraft, personnel and equipment are currently standing by, ready to offer further support as needed," Lt. Col. Michael Hinsch, 79th Rescue Squadron director of operations.

The 79th RQS is part of the 563rd Rescue Group, which is a geographically-separated unit of the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.