Reservists stay mission ready while delivering humanitarian aid

by Maj. Wayne Capps
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/23/2013 - EL SALVADOR  -- Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing delivered more than 86,200 pounds of humanitarian aid this weekend while conducting a vital training mission.

The mission delivered donated food, clothing and medical supplies to orphanages and schools in Haiti and El Salvador and is estimated to help 11,200 people in need.

Amid budget woes, overseas training missions like this one are now few and far between and this is the first mission the 315th Airlift Wing has flown delivering humanitarian cargo under the Denton program since sequestration was enacted.

"Training missions like these are a win-win for everyone," said Lt. Col. Mike Phillips from the 701st Airlift Squadron and one of the pilots on the mission. "Not only do the aircrew members on the trip get some valuable training, we are able to help a lot of people in need."

Training missions like these are made possible by the Denton Amendment, a state department/U.S. Aid program allowing the delivery of donated humanitarian aid to fly on Air Force assets on a space available basis.

This mission was especially important to Capt. Jackie Bergey, a 5-year pilot who is a traditional reservist and is currently in upgrade training to become an aircraft commander. "With a mission like this that is focused on training, you get to explore all the boundaries and do things that you just can't do on an active mission," she said. "Some of our most experienced reserve pilots can only fly on weekend trips and without these trips we lose the benefit of their knowledge and experience."

Capt. Trey Hamilton, a civilian banker and one of the reserve pilots on the mission understands first hand what it is like to have limited availability and rely on these types of missions. "I am a traditional reservist with minimal availability," he said. "With a demanding civilian job, I have to rely on these weekend missions to stay current and keep my readiness up."

While the pilots where conducting training, the loadmasters on the crew had additional challenges they had to face. Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Piccione, one of the loadmasters on the trip, from the 701st Airlift Squadron, stressed the importance of conducting these types of missions. "These are important for a couple reasons. First, you get to see an upload and a download of the aircraft cargo and all the challenges that comes along with that," he said. "Then you get to interact with people and equipment from a foreign country, which presents a whole new set of challenges." Referring to broken down forklift used to unload the aircraft in Haiti.

Besides the vital training being accomplished on the mission, the C-17 delivered aid helping a lot of people, said Sergeant Piccione. "I think this is great and very fulfilling to know that this cargo is going to help so many people who need it."

Mario Alberto, the donation coordinator from the El Salvador first lady's office was happy to greet the crew when they arrived with clothing and medical supplies bound for the La Palma region in El Salvador, a place with limited resources and work opportunities. "We are very happy that you are doing this for the people of El Salvador," said Alberto. "Donations like these work to create stronger bonds between our people."

Tammy Dipenti, a volunteer aid worker with the Children's International Lifeline and teacher from Cincinnati, OH. was on hand with a number of volunteers to receive the food and clothing in Haiti. "The Denton program is very important for the children in Haiti," she said. Seeing that airplane being unloaded with supplies that will help all of these people makes me proud to be an American," said Dipenti.

As the empty C-17 headed back to Charleston after a long mission, Senior Master Sgt. Piccione smiled and summed up his thoughts on the flight. "Today we just helped feed over 8,000 kids. Now that is cool."