APS helps deliver goods to Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Aerial Port Squadron recently shipped more than 10,000 pounds of donated humanitarian supplies to Kabul, Afghanistan, as part of a Denton Amendment shipment. 

Trust in Education, a nonprofit organization based in Lafayette, Calif., with the goal of providing assistance to citizens of Afghanistan, donated the goods. 

The materials included clothing for people of all ages, jackets, bedding, school supplies, shoes, pots, pans, kitchen utensils and backpacks. The Denton Amendment allows the Armed Forces to transport to any country, without charge, supplies which have been furnished from a non-governmental source and which are intended for humanitarian assistance, according to the 60 APS. The intent of the program is not to respond to emergencies or disaster situations, but to provide ongoing assistance in the form of medical and educational supplies, furniture, vehicles, machinery and clothing. 

"This shipment is a prime example of Team Travis supporting the program funded under Denton Amendment Act to support other countries that are not as fortunate as we are," said Buck Buchannan, 60 APS cargo operations chief. 

Trust in Education donated 55 containers worth of supplies, said Maj. Nick Dyson, cargo operations flight commander for the 60th APS. The materials were shipped Nov. 6. 

"The 60th 'Port Dawgs' inspected all containers and palletized the donated goods in minimal time in preparation for airlift movement on the first available mission with room for opportune cargo," he said. "Once these humanitarian assistance goods have been received in Kabul, Afghanistan, they will be dispersed out to some of the most isolated provinces throughout the country and will definitely brighten the lives of those fortunate enough to receive them." 

Major Dyson said the realization of how the goods will impact the lives of their recipients makes the task even more satisfying to the members of his squadron. 

"Although the 60th Aerial Port Squadron, receives, inspects, and manifests hundreds of tons of cargo destined for worldwide locations every single month, port members take great pride and satisfaction in processing Denton Program cargo because they realize the impact these shipments will make on the lives of the impoverished populations for which they are intended," said Major Dyson. 

The cargo is shipped on a space-available basis, meaning all mission-essential materials are the first priority. Thus far, more than 600,000 pounds worth of goods have been shipping to Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Donating organizations must apply to send their goods through the U.S. Agency for International Development. Information on the Denton Program and the application process can be found by visiting the Web site at http://dentonfunded.ohasis.org.