NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y., - Two C-130H cargo aircraft and 16 Airmen from Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station here lifted off headed for Haiti as dawn broke over western New York this morning.
Manned by crews from the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 914th Airlift Wing, Fuzzy 90 and Bison 91 headed first to Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, to upload humanitarian supplies. Their mission is to bring transport those supplies to Port-au-Prince.
"We're going down to help people in dire need right now," said Master Sgt. Szpaicher, a crew chief with the 107th. "We're trying to give the people some kind of comfort and relief."
"This mission has a true meaning to it," said Szpaicher. "We're going down there to make a difference."
The five-day mission is slated to have the C-130s shuttle back and forth from Port-au-Prince to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fl., where the C-130s will be resupplied. This on-going mission will not only supply the inhabitants of Haiti, but also the thousands of rescue workers on scene.
"I'm extremely proud that the men and women of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station have been tapped to provide aide and comfort to the people of Haiti in their hour of need. My heart, and the hearts of all New Yorkers go out to the Haitian people in this moment of crisis," said New York Gov. David Paterson. "I know that these New Yorkers in uniform will perform exemplary service during their mission."
The men and women of the New York National Guard have been leaning forward to prepare to participate in this mission," said Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, the adjutant general of the New York National Guard. "We know that this will be a long process, and we stand ready to provide support when called upon."
This joint mission would not have been possible a few years ago. In response to the BRAC decision of 2005 the 107th AW converted from a KC-135R an air refueling wing to a C-130 airlift wing. Now associated with the 914th AW both units work together for one common goal, to provide fast, reliable worldwide airlift.
"Both units have been tasked to support this mission, it's a combined effort between the New York Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserves," said Col. Patrick Ginavan, commander of the 107th. "This is a perfect example of a successful Air Reserve Component partnership."
"To provide aid to this humanitarian effort is very satisfying, " said said Col. Allan Swartzmiller, commander of the 914th Airlift Wing. "The 914th and the 107th train daily for airlift missions. We fly, plan, maintain and load plans daily."
"This mission validates our training," Ginavan added. "It's rewarding to validate what we practice day-in, day-out."
Whether it's a world contingency or a humanitarian effort, the men and women of the Niagara Air Reserve Station have a history of being ready and able when called upon, Ginavan said.
"We had so many of our Airmen volunteer, we had to turn people down," he said. "We're very proud of our guys."