In midst of Syrian crisis, Mobility Airmen deliver aid

by Maj. Michael Meridith
18th Air Force Public Affairs

5/6/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Mobility Airmen delivered the first shipment of nonlethal U.S. aid to the armed Syrian opposition April 30.

The shipment, transported by a regionally-based C-17 Globemaster III crew from the 385th Air Expeditionary Group, delivered approximately 43 tons of halal meals and medical supplies, and served as the initial response to the President's direction to provide up to $10 million in aid.

According to defense officials, the U.S., which is the largest humanitarian donor to the Syrian crisis, has provided more than $385 million in humanitarian assistance to date. Those efforts have aided more than 2.4 million people inside Syria and hundreds of thousands of refugees in neighboring countries.

The complex delivery effort, orchestrated by planners at U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Transportation Command, the 18th Air Force and the 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) began weeks ago combining the efforts of Department of Defense and State Department officials across the globe.

"It was great to see so many people come together and overcome challenges to execute this complex mission with near flawless precision," said Chris Rosenthal, 18th Air Force's lead planner for the effort. "The most rewarding part is knowing that our efforts can make an important, positive difference for people who really need our help."

The operation is nothing new for the Mobility Air Forces. 18th Air Force Airmen have a history of providing life-saving aid in the wake of major humanitarian crises through their unique capabilities of airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation. Those capabilities have delivered hope to those in need across the globe, including transporting French military forces to Mali to battle extremists, delivering Patriot missile batteries to bolster Turkey's defenses, and aiding in relief efforts during last year's Superstorm Sandy.

"As Airmen we live by the ideal that we are always ready to rapidly respond, whether in defense of an ally or in response to natural or manmade disasters," said Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force commander. "Our Nation is reaching out to those brutalized by the Assad regime, and Mobility Airmen are proud to carry out that mission."