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Travis Airmen Deliver COVID-19 Aid, Other Supplies to Honduras

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Airmen assigned to the 22nd Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California, delivered humanitarian aid supplies to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.

The July 18 mission was in support of the Denton Program, a Defense Department transportation program that moves humanitarian cargo donated by U.S.-based nongovernmental organizations to developing nations.

A C-5B transport jet sits on a flight line.
Super Galaxy
A C-5M Super Galaxy transport jet sits on the flight line at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, July 18, 2020. The 22nd Airlift Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., delivered 58,000 pounds of cargo to Honduras. The cargo consisted of: general medical supplies such as ventilators and orthopedic equipment; a 40-foot T6 container that carried 17,000 pounds of medical equipment for COVID-19 patients; construction equipment; two vehicles and two excavators; as well as food.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell
VIRIN: 200718-F-NP696-2094C

The airmen transported 58,000 pounds of cargo in a C-5M Super Galaxy transport jet. The cargo consisted of eight pallets, two vehicles, two excavators and a 40-foot container filled with medical supplies to treat COVID-19 patients.

"A lot of what is on this aircraft will go to COVID-19 response," said Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Uherka, Joint Task Force Bravo civil military operations director at Soto Cano Air Base,. "The 40-foot container is heading to Intipuca, which is an underserved community."

Uherka said the contents of the container would be able to supply a procedure room, two recovery rooms and a laboratory, all of which are vital in effectively combating COVID-19.

The 12-member crew stopped at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, to pick up the humanitarian cargo for Honduras.

Airmen move a large container from the open cargo bay of a C-5B transport jet to a trailer on the tarmac.
Cargo Offload
Airmen assigned to the 22nd Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., offload a container at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, July 18, 2020. The container held 17,000 pounds of COVID-19 medical supplies for Honduras communities.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell
VIRIN: 200718-F-NP696-2198C

"This was my first humanitarian mission," said Air Force Capt. Heather Denny, 22nd Airlift Squadron pilot and aircraft commander. "It was a different mission for our C-5 crew; we don't typically fly into [U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility], which made this a great training mission for us."

Before this mission, more than $700,000 of Denton cargo has been delivered to Honduras during fiscal year 2020.

"Having this be my first humanitarian experience was very eye-opening and very surreal because of the impact it may bring to people who I don't know," flight engineer Air Force Staff Sgt. Byle Williams IIsaid.

Williams also noted that  the humanitarian mission was an example of the Air Force's global reach.

Airmen remove cargo from the back of a C-5B transport jet.
Cargo Delivery
Airmen assigned to the 22nd Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., offload cargo from a C-5M Super Galaxy transport jet onto a K-loader at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, July 18, 2020. The aircrew delivered 58,000 pounds of cargo to Honduras for humanitarian relief to help Honduras with the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure and emergency services.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell
VIRIN: 200718-F-NP696-2137C

"Giving help, giving aid and knowing that Travis Air Force Base is the one that provided the opportunity to do that for individuals shows how big our footprint is locally and abroad," Williams continued.

Transporting aid bolsters relationships with partners in Central America and Joint Task Force Bravo has been executing that mission for 38 years, Uherka said. Additionally, according to Uherka, the humanitarian aid has the potential to reach tens of thousands of people in Honduras communities.

"This couldn't be done without Travis," Uherka said. "We very much appreciate the support of Travis and the United States Air Force for our mission."

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