Westover C-5 and crew participate in round-the-clock relief ops

by Lt. Col. James Bishop
439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

11/2/2012 - WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- In response to President Obama's call for the government to "lean forward" to support East Coast relief efforts, a Westover C-5B flew to March Air Reserve Base, Calif. There they picked up 73 electrical workers and two utility trucks. Five hours later, they dropped them off at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y.

Aircraft and crews from 12 bases across the nation were mobilized Nov. 1 to pick up 632 short tons of equipment supporting relief efforts, including 69 large utility vehicles, according to an Air Force news release. The relief workers and equipment will augment efforts in New York and New Jersey in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Other Air Force Reserve Command units participating in the relief effort include the 445th Airlift Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, sent a C-17 and crew. The 433rd AW, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is providing a C-5B and crew. The 439th AW, Westover ARB, Mass., provided a C-5B.