By by Master Sgt. Andrew Biscoe, 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published September 12, 2017
Westover Reserve Citizen Airmen board a bus September 11, 2017, on the flightline outside of Hangar Three to board a C-5M Super Galaxy that will be bringing them to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida. These Airmen are deploying to Homestead ARB to assist with relief efforts following in the wake of Hurricane Irma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hanna N. Smith)
Col. D. Scott Durham, the 439th Airlift Wing Commander, addresses Westover deployers September 11, 2017, in Hangar Three. Over 50 Reserve Citizen Airmen deployed to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, to assist in Hurricane Irma relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hanna N. Smith)
A C-5M Super Galaxy departs Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. September 11, 2017 for Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida. The aircraft is carrying around 50 Reserve Citizen Airmen and supplies to Homestead ARB to assist in relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hanna N. Smith)
About 40 Reserve Citizen Airmen from Westover – in four different career fields – boarded a bus Septeptember 11, 2017, for a flight aboard a C-5M to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. Once in Florida, the Airmen will assist with Hurricane Irma relief efforts at the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Airmen work in civil engineering, aerial port, public affairs, and logistics readiness. They’ll also assist their fellow reservists at Homestead with getting the base back up to operational status.
The Airmen are scheduled to be deployed to Homestead for about 30 days.
Across Westover Sept. 11, there was an energy and attitude that reflected urgency and dedication.
“We have a normal 72-hour response time,” said Senior Master Sgt. Derek Ouimette, 58th Aerial Port Squadron senior air reserve technician, “and we shattered this with less than nine hours from notification, to wheels up!”
Around 10 additional Airmen are expected to deploy between September 12-13, 2017, for the same cause. This brings the tally up to about 50 Westover Reserve Citizen Airmen.
The 439th Airlift Wing remains ready to further assist those in need following the hurricane’s destruction in Florida. More information on this ongoing humanitarian operation will be provided as soon as it becomes available.