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Herd Haiti bound

  • Published
  • By Howdy Stout
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Elements of the 3rd Combat Communications Group left a snow-covered Tinker for Haiti to assist in disaster relief operations Tuesday.

Nearly 30 people and more than 90 tons of equipment winged their way to the earthquake-struck Caribbean country where they will assist in setting up communications facilities for the ongoing disaster relief efforts.

"Our hearts definitely go out to the Haitian people," said Col. Thomas "Tank" Byrge, 3rd CCG commander.

The 3rd has been on standby and preparing to assist since the U.S. announced it would be sending aid to Haiti. Colonel Byrge said humanitarian missions are a part of the 3rd Herd's duties and that "until the U.S. mission is complete, we'll be there. We're prepared to support for the duration."

Colonel Byrge said some of the departing Airmen recently returned from deployment, but were more than willing to deploy again to help the Haitian earthquake victims.

"It definitely means a lot to them to down there and help," he said. "They haven't been back six months and they're willing to go back out. That's the type of Airmen you have. It makes you proud to be able to lead people like that."

While the 3rd Herd packed their equipment and readied for deployment, crews worked late into the night to remove up to five feet of accumulated snow and ice from the airfield apron for the arriving cargo aircraft. "The snow removal guys have done an awesome job," said Marc Bradley, airfield manager. "They've been working 12-hour days since Thursday."

"Here at Team Tinker, it's been an integrated effort," said Roy Piatt, director of the 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, which helped finalize aircraft loading. Nearly 60,000 pounds of equipment were loaded on the first of two C-17 cargo aircraft, with the second carrying more than 84,000 pounds of gear. The equipment flown to Haiti includes communications equipment, power generators, tents and enough food and water to last ten days.

"We're going to a bare base," Colonel Byrge explained. "There is nothing there."