By Capt. Michael Meridith
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan – The frigid Afghanistan winter was made a little less harsh for Afghan villagers, thanks to thousands of pounds of humanitarian relief supplies delivered by a visiting Air Force leader.
Lt. Gen. John Bradley, commander of Air Force Reserve Command, arrived Dec. 3 with more than 25,000 pounds of supplies for Afghan families, collected by his wife Jan.
The delivery included about 500 boxes of blankets, clothing and school supplies, slated for distribution through Provincial Reconstruction Teams, Air Force Office of Special Investigation humanitarian assistance drops and Bagram's own Operation Care.
"There is a great need out there – an incredible need," General Bradley told a group of assembled Airmen. "I've seen pictures of little kids here that will bring tears to your eyes. I've seen pictures of them in the snow with no shoes on, wearing lightweight clothes. They are freezing and some of them are dying."
After spending the day visiting Airmen across the wing and thanking them for their service, General Bradley headed outside the wire to a nearby village, where he handed out supplies to local families enduring Afghanistan's harsh winter.
The delivery was just the first step in what the general said would be continuing efforts over the coming weeks to get the supplies out. He commended the work of Airmen involved in these and similar efforts throughout Afghanistan every day, adding that America stood squarely behind them.
"Some of what you're going to unload here is going to save some lives," he said. "People argue about policies, but the American people can separate that from Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who are doing the job. I have never seen it better in my forty years in the Air Force. They thank you and I am really proud of you."
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