Communication equipment loaded onto C-5 at Dobbins, headed for Puerto Rico

Photo By Ensign Andrew Park | A C-5M Super Galaxy from Dover Air Force Base, Del. takes off at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. Oct. 2, 2017. The plane took vital communication equipment as well as AT&T Network Disaster Recovery Team members to provide communication support to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria’s destruction. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andrew Park)  

DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, GA, UNITED STATES

10.03.2017

Story by Tech. Sgt. Kelly Goonan 

94th Airlift Wing

DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. – A C-5M Super Galaxy from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware landed here to provide airlift for AT&T communication equipment and technicians Oct. 2 and Oct. 4.

The airlift mission provided critical infrastructure restoration in support of life-saving activities underway in Puerto Rico.

Many of the island’s 3 million residents have been without communication since the island took the full brunt of Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017.

To restore communication capabilities on the island, AT&T provided mobile communications assets in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

This equipment included three vehicles: two satellite cell on light trucks (COLT) and one emergency communication vehicle (EMV). Members of AT&T Network Disaster Recovery Team use these vehicles to restore Wi-Fi, LAN lines and Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) capabilities, explained Lou Fiorenza, an AT&T Network Disaster Recovery Team member.

The C-5M Super Galaxy transporting this communication cargo is capable of carrying 135 tons and is the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2017
• Date Posted: 10.03.2017 17:33
• Story ID: 250475
• Location: DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, GA, US