107th AW Airmen aid fellow New Yorkers after Hurricane Sandy

by Capt. Elaine J. Nowak
107th Airlift Wing

10/31/2012 - NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. (10/31/12) -- Seventy-five Air National Guard members from the 107th Airlift Wing here
deployed downstate Tuesday to aid in Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.

The all-volunteer group of Airmen is part of the 2,290-member force from
across the state ordered to duty by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to respond to the
storm.

The group boarded two C-130 Hercules aircraft that departed to Stewart ANG Base Tuesday. Once at Stewart they were bused to the Camp Smith Training Site just north of Peekskill. Camp Smith will be the group's base of operations during relief efforts.

"It really gives me a great sense of pride that we can help the citizens of New York state," said Lt. Col. Kenneth Kieliszek, 107th Medical Group administrator, who volunteered to deploy. "When people need help we are going to be able to be there, to give them whatever support they need."

Leadership from the 107th AW was tasked Sunday to prepare a team to deploy if called upon for Hurricane Sandy response. Volunteers were put on a one-hour standby recall. Tuesday afternoon the 107th AW was notified of the deployment and was able to take off just a few hours later.

"The 107th is always ready, willing and able to perform our domestic operations mission when civil authorities request our help," said Col. Jim McCready, the 107th AW commander. "It's particularly rewarding when we can go to the aid of fellow New Yorkers, just like we did last year after Hurricane Irene and after the 9/11 attacks."

It is not known at this time how long the group will be activated. They will give assistance until local authorities can handle the scope of operations.