145th Logistics Readiness Squadron Sends Back-Up

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Laura Tickle | U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Raymond Graves III, 145th Logistics Readiness Squadron, chains down two forklifts to a flatbed truck at the North Carolina (N.C.) Air National Guard Base, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Sept.17, 2018. The forklifts will be used to move pallets filled with supplies like food and water in an attempt to assist in relief efforts associated with Hurricane Florence, and will be transported with an 11-person team to an airport in Kinston, N.C.  

CHARLOTTE, NC, UNITED STATES

09.18.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Laura Tickle 

145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard

9/18/2018 — CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Following strategic safety measures, an 11-person team from the 145th Logistics Readiness Squadron is activated and sent to Kinston, North Carolina, Sept. 17, 2018, to relieve a team of North Carolina Air National Guardsmen that have been creating and moving supply pallets filled with food and water during Hurricane Florence.

In order to move the pallets, the new team will haul two forklifts that each have a 6,200-pound capacity. Moving them is not a task taken lightly. The forklifts must be loaded from a supply warehouse dock to a flatbed truck and then strapped down and inspected for safety measures.

“Once we’ve chained them down, we tie these white strips around as an extra safety precaution,” said Senior Master Sgt. Raymond Graves III, 145th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

For some, this will be a new experience. Airman 1st Class Tate Boorse, 145th Logistics Readiness Squadron, just arrived to the 145th Airlift Wing fresh out of technical training in May of 2018 and works with fuel.

“I’ve never done anything like this before. I expect to be handing out food and water bottles, maybe clearing debris. It’s my first activation so I’m not really sure what to expect,” said Airman 1st Class Boorse.

For others the experience of activating for humanitarian relief efforts is not new. During Hurricane Matthew nearly two years ago, Staff Sgt. Rachael French, vehicle maintenance technician with the 145th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was activated and helped move supplies, and supported the local community.

“We keep the fleet moving, making sure everyone gets to where they’re going,” said Staff Sgt. French. “Basically, we’ll be loading up trucks and making sure supplies get to shelters.”

Staff Sgt. French has worked with vehicle maintenance in the North Carolina Air National Guard since 2015 and has witnessed first-hand the long-lasting effects of what damage hurricanes can cause.

“During Hurricane Matthew, we helped down in Tarboro, North Carolina and it was really rewarding; knowing that we were contributing and helping out,” said Staff Sgt. French. “Being from that side of the state and knowing the level of devastation, the little bit of help we can do, like interacting with the people and encouraging them makes a big difference.”

• Date Taken: 09.18.2018
• Date Posted: 09.18.2018 13:16
• Story ID: 293311
• Location: CHARLOTTE, NC, US