Air Force Completes Airlift of Rwandan Peacekeepers

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2014 – The Air Force has finished airlifting Rwandan peacekeeping troops into the Central African Republic, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said today.

The Air Force began transporting the Rwandans Jan. 14 along with vehicles and supplies of a Rwandan mechanized infantry battalion.

The last two C-17s landed at the capital city of Bangui carrying about 42 short tons of equipment, Warren said. "With that all passengers, rolling stock and palettes have been moved," he said.

"We have transported a total of 868 personnel, 177 palettes of supplies and equipment, 68 vehicles and one forklift," Warren said.

Overall, since the U.S. airlift mission in support of the peacekeeping effort began, there have been 42 C-17 flights and three C-130 flights.

"We moved a total of 1,727 personnel, 250 palettes of supplies and equipment, 91 vehicles including armored personnel carriers, 5-ton trucks, land cruisers, ambulances mobile kitchen, weapons systems and a forklift," Warren said.