Despite a presidential coup attempt in the Philippines and public unrest that led to declaration of a state of emergency, the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, deployed from Yokota AB, Japan, continued to fly personnel and relief supplies to locations devastated by the Feb. 17 mudslide. “We have a mission to carry out and we will continue to do so,” said Lt. Col. Bill Summers, adding that the squadron was able to move several tons of medical supplies with a team from the Philippine Navy and Marines to the relief area. As of Feb. 26, the 36th EAS had moved more than 140 tons of cargo and 160 personnel to support relief efforts.
An F-16 pilot was awarded a Silver Star for a harrowing mission in which he dodged multiple surface-to-air missiles during the opening weeks of the operation against the Houthis in Yemen earlier this year.
