Face of Defense: C-17 Crew Gives Aid to Earthquake Victims

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Leah Young
62nd Airlift Wing

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., Nov. 4, 2011 – A group of U.S. airmen took to the air to deliver humanitarian relief supplies for victims of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck eastern Turkey Oct. 23.

The five-member C-17 Globemaster III crew, assigned to the 10th Airlift Squadron here, flew to Turkey Nov. 1 and delivered a 75,000-pound load of tents at Erzurum Airport.

"The men and women of McChord are always ready to provide airlift at a moment's notice," said Air Force Maj. Corey Simmons, the squadron’s director of operations. "It is an honor for the 10th Airlift Squadron pathfinders to provide relief to our great partner Turkey in their time of need."

According to officials at the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., the tents will provide shelter to earthquake survivors as recovery efforts continue. The tents are six-sided, pyramidal-shaped shelters that can comfortably house up to 10 people plus their clothing and equipment.

The tent's wind-, mildew- and fire-resistant construction and materials, officials added, ensure the warmth and dryness of the occupants even in frigid temperatures.

"Our airmen are focused on providing support at home and around the world at any time," Simmons said. "Rapid global mobility is a key to providing assistance at times like these."