Barksdale assists with Humanitarian Transport

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tory C. Groschick
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. participated in a massive humanitarian relief effort to Haiti, May 11.

The Airmen, from the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, loaded more than 100,000 pounds of food onto a C-17 Globemaster as part of Operation Ukraine.

Haiti is still in desperate need of food products due to damage caused by the earthquake that rocked the country in 2010. Barksdale partnered with Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. and the Denton Humanitarian Assistance Program to provide humanitarian assistance.

The shipment was the third humanitarian mission to Haiti the 2nd Bomb Wing has helped with this year. To date, the 2 BW has assisted in shipping 160 tons of food.

Though Charleston provided the airlift and DHAP provided the supplies, Barksdale logisticians were key to ensuring the loaded planes got off the ground.

Seventy-two hours before the goods were scheduled to be transported, Airmen from the 2 LRS unloaded the supplies, packed and secured the pallets, then weighed them to ensure they would fit properly onto the jet.

"The truck loads came in, in plenty of time to ensure we had time to do our jobs," said Staff Sgt. Eric Folks, 2 LRS. "We had to take into consideration how much each part of the aircraft is capable of holding to be sure we didn't overload it and the plane would be able to level out and fly straight."

Folks said though Barksdale has a limited supply of aircraft loaders, forklifts, nets and straps, and even manpower, the other agencies ensured there were enough supplies to accomplish the mission.

"The Airmen from Barksdale played a very key role in helping us move the humanitarian supplies to Haiti this past year," said James Bailey, logistics manager.

Leadership asked Barksdale Airmen to lend a hand because of Barksdale's proximity to where the food comes from in Texas.

"How could we say no when people in Haiti are suffering," said Folks. "We are happy to help and it makes us feel good to aid those in need."

According to Bailey, the Denton Humanitarian Assistance Program accepts donations from non-governmental, international and private voluntary organizations for humanitarian relief. DHAP accepts non-perishable food items such as rice, beans and flour, and ships the aid to countries in need all of over the world.