Air mobility contingency force moves in response to Hurricane Sandy

News: Air mobility contingency force moves in response to Hurricane Sandy

621st Contingency Response Wing

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Tech. Sgt. Edward Gyokeres

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Karen Blackburn, mobile command post controller assigned to the 621st Contingency Response Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. compiles a situation report aboard a JB MDL-based C-17 Globemaster III, Oct. 28, 2012. The CRW was deploying an air mobility contingency response team of approximately 65 airmen from JB MDL to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. out of the path of Hurricane Sandy. This movement will ensure Air Mobility Command maintains the capability to respond to natural disasters or worldwide contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres) (Released)

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – A rapid-response team of U.S. Air Force air mobility specialists here are repositioning ahead of the landfall of Hurricane Sandy.

Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing moved alert equipment and approximately 65 personnel to MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, Fla. early today to maintain Air Mobility Command’s ability to rapidly deploy for post-hurricane relief efforts or any worldwide contingency response.

“As AMC’s 911 force, we are moving these forces to ensure we are still able to respond if a call comes,” said Col. Marty Chapin, 621st CRW commander. “Our people are well-equipped and trained for these types of situations. Because of that, when called upon, we have the capabilities to deliver assistance to areas that need it most.”

The CRW specializes in rapidly establishing hubs for air mobility operations worldwide, to include remote or damaged locations, on short notice. Previous deployments include humanitarian assistance support missions to Haiti, Pakistan and Japan, and contingency deployments in support of military operations in Eastern Europe, Afghanistan and South America.

“Our mobility airmen train daily to meet our requirement for rapid response to crises throughout the world. When we're called upon, we're ready to act - and act fast,” Chapin said. “Our response time is a reflection of our quality training, teamwork and the disciplined professionalism of our CRW airmen.”

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