60th APS, search and rescue crew team prepare in case of emergencies

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  A June 7 collaboration between members of the 60th Aerial Port Squadron and a Sacramento Urban Search and Rescue Team aimed to expedite operations in the event of an emergency.

The California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 7 brought its full complement of gear, which includes food, water, tents, medical supplies, communications equipment and other tools, to see what material is viable for transportation on an aircraft.

Such a training session is invaluable according to Staff Sgt. Matthew Greenwood with the 60th Aerial Port Squadron.

"It cuts down on their response time," Sergeant Greenwood said. "It allows them to come down and go straight through the yard in a matter of hours instead of days."

Knowing not all of the materials would make it onto a plane or several planes, the task force used the June 7 session to find out which pieces could be slotted into a load plan, said Capt. Randy Wootton, cache manager for the task force.

Earlier this year, the crew worked with Travis Air Force Base leadership in case the task force was sent to Haiti for response to a 7.0 earthquake, but was not called into action.

"We were out here for Haiti, but this is about tweaking and refining the process," Captain Wootton said.

The June 7 training session was to help with the logistical side of the process. Crews from both units worked together to offload, measure and assess the needs of the task force.

Captain Wootton and his crew provided a load plan for a C-17 Globemaster III for the team's materials and personnel.

One part of the process which needed a closer look was hazardous materials loading.

"We're putting it on a military aircraft, so it's got to be right," Captain Wootton said.

Sergeant Greenwood said part of the process is showing the task force members how to ship, pack and tie down its goods for flight on military aircraft, which differs from civilian planes.

"We get to teach what we do to outside agencies," he said.

To John "Buck" Buchanan, 60th APS Ramp Operations flight chief, the training session goes a long way to the task force's ultimate goal, which is helping people in the event of a disaster.

"When the Sacramento Task Force goes somewhere, they show the rest of the nation that California is part of the team, regardless," Mr. Buchanan said. "When (victims of a tragedy) see a military airplane, when they see that big T-tail, they know help's on the way."

The task force is a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The task force is one of 28 in the nation and one of eight in California. It works through the Sacramento Fire Department. The unit has responded to numerous domestic disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes in the Gulf Coast in the '00s and even the 9/11 attacks.