Contingency wing joins relief support for Gustav

Published Sept. 3, 2008
By Senior Airman Shaun Emery
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With the remnants of Hurricane Gustav dropping heavy rains and producing strong winds to the Gulf Coast, members of the 615th Contingency Response Wing jumped into action, showing their rapid deployment skills to any situation.

Approximately 50 members of the 615th CRW departed Travis on a C-5 Galaxy aircraft, Monday enroute to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., where staging operations are taking place to provide relief.

The 615th CRW sent three command and control elements with Airmen whose jobs are to assess airfields and help prepare them to receive humanitarian shipments and receive people returning to their homes.

"We can be ready to go at a moment's notice," said Maj. Marshall Preston, 572nd Global Mobility Readiness Squadron. "We received notification and were on a plane to offer whatever support is needed of us."

With the remains of the storm heading towards Little Rock, 615th CRW members are on standby until they can depart safely.

"It's tough when you're here, ready to assist the folks of Louisiana, but Mother Nature throws a roadblock in your way," said Capt. Jason Lopez, civil engineer officer in charge, from the 572nd GMRS. "But as we do in all contingency operations, we plan to move out as soon as we get the word."

Using their rapid mobility capabilities, the 615th CRW are on the tip of the spear, ready to get their hands dirty and complete their mission.