Air Force Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing at JB Charleston, S.C., recently delivered more than 124,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to Haiti, Panama, and Honduras. During their two-day mission in early February, the Reservists unloaded rice, water, and medical and school supplies, according to a wing release. Two C-17 Globemasters from the 300th Airlift Squadron and the 701st AS transported the aid. “These missions can be challenging with the mountainous terrain, language barriers, and any other [issues] that come up,” said Maj. Ronnie Schier, pilot and operations officer from the 701st AS. However, they keep “Reservists ready. And, if we can help people while staying current, that is a plus,” he added.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.