CRW Airmen deploy in support of Japan relief operations

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Edward Gyokeres | Members of a 621st Contingency Response Wing airfield assessment team load mobility bags at the Global Reach Deployment Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., before leaving for Japan on March 22. CRW assessment teams specialize in inspecting and verifying the safety and usability of runways and surrounding areas for air mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres)  

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, UNITED STATES

03.24.2011

Courtesy Story

Air Mobility Command

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- More than 20 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing here deployed to Japan in the last week to provide support in the aftermath of the 8.9 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country's eastern coast, March 11.

Broken into two main teams, the CRW Airmen will provide key support to the Japanese government for both current and future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

"We received the first call for support [on March 18], and had our Airmen out the door in 24 hours," said Col. Chris Patterson, 621st Contingency Response Wing commander. "The second deployment order came at 12:49 a.m. Tuesday, and our airmen were on a flight to Japan by 11:30 a.m. that morning."

The first Contingency Response team, which left on Saturday, is comprised of 15 aerial porters who will provide manning assistance to the aerial port at Misawa Air Base, Japan, due to the increased operations tempo. The second group of Airmen, a specialized airfield assessment team, departed Tuesday and will assess seven airfields throughout Japan as potential HA/DR distribution sites.

Separate from the teams, the CRW also deployed an airman from the 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron to provide airspace planning expertise in response to an increased number of aircraft supporting Japanese relief operations.

"I couldn't be more proud of the missions our wing is accomplishing," said Patterson. "We currently have CRW Airmen supporting operations around the world, and they are performing admirably. My heart goes out to the people affected by this tragedy in Japan, and I'm glad that we are able to support them with a few of our absolute best airmen."

The 621st CRW is always on alert to deploy in support of contingency operations worldwide. They are also currently supporting Operation Odyssey Dawn to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect the Libyan people. During Operation Unified Response earthquake relief operations in Haiti last year, CRW Airmen helped offload more than 15,000 tons of cargo, and aided in the voluntary evacuation of more than 15,000 men, women and children from the country.

• Date Taken: 03.24.2011
• Date Posted: 03.24.2011 12:04
• Story ID: 67670
• Location: JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US