Aug. 10, 2020 | , 60th Air Mobility Wing
Airmen assigned to the 22nd Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California, delivered humanitarian aid supplies to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.
The July 18 mission was in support of the Denton Program, a Defense Department transportation program that moves humanitarian cargo donated by U.S.-based nongovernmental organizations to developing nations.
The airmen transported 58,000 pounds of cargo in a C-5M Super Galaxy transport jet. The cargo consisted of eight pallets, two vehicles, two excavators and a 40-foot container filled with medical supplies to treat COVID-19 patients.
"A lot of what is on this aircraft will go to COVID-19 response," said Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Uherka, Joint Task Force Bravo civil military operations director at Soto Cano Air Base,. "The 40-foot container is heading to Intipuca, which is an underserved community."
Uherka said the contents of the container would be able to supply a procedure room, two recovery rooms and a laboratory, all of which are vital in effectively combating COVID-19.
The 12-member crew stopped at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, to pick up the humanitarian cargo for Honduras.
"This was my first humanitarian mission," said Air Force Capt. Heather Denny, 22nd Airlift Squadron pilot and aircraft commander. "It was a different mission for our C-5 crew; we don't typically fly into [U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility], which made this a great training mission for us."
Before this mission, more than $700,000 of Denton cargo has been delivered to Honduras during fiscal year 2020.
"Having this be my first humanitarian experience was very eye-opening and very surreal because of the impact it may bring to people who I don't know," flight engineer Air Force Staff Sgt. Byle Williams IIsaid.
Williams also noted that the humanitarian mission was an example of the Air Force's global reach.
"Giving help, giving aid and knowing that Travis Air Force Base is the one that provided the opportunity to do that for individuals shows how big our footprint is locally and abroad," Williams continued.
Transporting aid bolsters relationships with partners in Central America and Joint Task Force Bravo has been executing that mission for 38 years, Uherka said. Additionally, according to Uherka, the humanitarian aid has the potential to reach tens of thousands of people in Honduras communities.
"This couldn't be done without Travis," Uherka said. "We very much appreciate the support of Travis and the United States Air Force for our mission."
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