Homestead helps launch thousands of pounds of relief aid to Haiti

  • Published
  • By SrA Lou Burton
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Disaster and devastation litter the news circuits, like the collapsed rubble that has crippled the impoverished nation of Haiti. Yet, in a time of insurmountable sadness and despair, stories of hope are flowering through the debris.

One of the most quantifiable is the relief aid being distributed to the citizens of Haiti. Thousands of pounds of aid are being launched from Homestead Air Reserve Base today.

"Our mission here at Homestead ARB is dedicated to providing ready, on-call humanitarian support," said Brig. Gen. William B. Binger, 482nd Fighter Wing commander. "Through the coordination of logistical ground support between relief agencies and military aircraft from various guard and reserve units, Homestead ARB is playing a critical role in delivering life saving supplies and services to Haiti."

On task for today; over 41 tractor trailers carrying much needed food and supplies. "We are expecting over 100 trucks full of provisions to come through the HARB in the next several days. They get delivered from all over the country, then base personnel has to make a thorough security search before preparing the supplies for shipment," said Kertz M. Hare, Regional Logistics Chief for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

There are over 290,000 meals, 6,530 wash kits, and 936 cots, among other supplies, being provided by FEMA for the Haiti relief today, said Mr. Hare.

Along with FEMA, Pepsi Co. was on hand with 400,000 pounds of water and 300,000 pounds of food from their various food and beverage holdings, said Alex Roldos, coordinator, Miami Warehouse Logistics.

Once the provisions have been received, they then have to be sorted by their need in Haiti. The 70th Aerial Port Squadron is the logistics team unloading, organizing and preparing supplies for shipping, said Tech. Sgt. Pablo Navarrette, 482nd FW Aerial Port FEMA coordinator. "Once we have the aid separated, we then find available aircraft space to send the most needed supplies first. Water, being a main priority right now," said Sergeant Navarette.

"The job continues. We have made significant strides in getting relief aid to Haiti and will continue to put forth the very best manpower the Air Force Reserve has to offer," said Gen. Binger.