JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
As the destructive force of Hurricane Irma barrels down on the state of Florida, the Air Force Reserve Command’s 433rd Airlift Wing is preparing its Citizen Airmen to respond when the call arrives for assistance.
The 'Alamo Wing' is prepared to provide assistance when called upon by state and federal agencies.
Shortly after Hurricane Harvey devastated the Texas Gulf Coast and greater Houston area, the ‘Alamo Wing’ received the call and responded immediately.
The wing completed five missions in support of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The C-5M Super Galaxy aircrews delivered over 684,000 pounds of supplies and 285 personnel to the Houston area. One mission required numerous stops to include Houston, and Fort Worth. Also, the wing sent an aeromedical evacuation team of five personnel to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. in support evacuation efforts.
Before Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Caribbean, the ‘Alamo Wing’ conducted a mission in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deliver 80,400 pounds of supplies and 46 personnel.
The Reserve Citizen Airmen stand ready to provide humanitarian support at a moment’s notice by providing Rapid Global Mobility capabilities - strategic airlift, aeromedical evacuation care, and command and control operations.
From flying evacuees out of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina to delivering support personnel to assist in the recovery after Hurricane Sandy, the wing stands ready to serve.
“We stand ready to assist the state, federal and possibly international partners with the strategic capabilities provided by the wing’s Reserve Citizen Airmen,” said Col. Thomas K. Smith, Jr., 433rd AW commander.