Support rolls onto Travis jets

by 2nd Lt. Jessica Clark
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

11/3/2012 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- Six Department of Energy vehicles from Western Area Power Administration in the Sacramento area arrived at Travis Air Force Base Nov. 2 to start their journey towards New Jersey.

The group is part of the growing number of utility vehicles being airlifted from the western regions of the United States and are tasked to assist in power restoration efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Col. Dwight Sones, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, said it takes an immense level of coordination to make these types of airlift missions happen and to start moving needed equipment quickly.

"From understanding requirements on FEMA's side of the house to the Department of Energy with their equipment to the capabilities the military can provide, it takes close coordination in order to make it happen flawlessly," he said.

Airmen from the 60th Aerial Port Squadron inspected the six large power utility vehicles to prepare them for the flight to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

"This is our job. We load cargo every day, but when natural disasters happen, we switch roles and go to mobility," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Greenwood, 60th APS NCO in charge of special handling. "It's a one stop shop. We'll be able to process, load, plan, manifest and get this stuff out within just a few hours."

While loading a variety of equipment may seem the norm for the aerial porters, this was an unexpected mission for WAPA personnel.

"We do a lot of mutual aid assistance but it's always on the West coast. This is actually history making for Western Area Power Administration," said Brian Adams, WAPA director of line maintenance. "We have never mobilized so many people and so many units and vehicles and equipment to go assist in a disaster like this."

Upon arrival at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the loaded vehicles will be ready to roll off the plane and start working on reestablishing power throughout New Jersey.

"It's our main goal to make sure power is running all the time," said Joel Carrillo of WAPA. "I've never done anything this massive, but it's always nice to see if we can help people in need."