Airmen return from humanitarian operations in Caribbean

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jay Bolden
  • 482nd Services Squadron
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Fifteen Airmen from the 482nd Services Squadron recently returned home after a three-month deployment in support of humanitarian operations in Trinidad and Tobago from March to June.

The reservists provided a full-scale feeding operation for the duration of the "New Horizons" and "Beyond the Horizons" 2008 exercise where Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps members worked together to build permanent structures and provide medical care in several in Central and South America and Caribbean nations.

As the only Air Force Services squadron present, the reservists took full control of procuring supplies and preparing meals. They served over 500 hot meals per day and often included some local recipes to add to the flavor.

"It's the little things we do that can really improve the quality of life for the deployed medics and engineers. Hot meals are the norm, but they make all the difference to deployed personnel." said Chief Master Sgt. Garrett Edmond, 482nd SVS chief enlisted manager.

The meals were a comfortable respite for those making valuable contributions to communities in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

The exercise covered parts of Honduras, Peru, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Engineering and medical teams worked alongside government agencies during the assistance projects. Engineering projects included the construction of schools and health clinics, road improvements and digging water wells. The medical training teams conducted routine surgery and treatments not normally available to the communities.