Maintenance Guardsmen support Operation Unified Response Published Jan. 28, 2010 By Master Sgt. Stan Coleman 35th Expeditionary Squadron Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico -- Editor's note: Master Sgt. Stan Coleman deployed from the 94th Airlift Wing to provide Public Affairs assistance to the 35th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at Muniz Air National Guard Base San Juan, Puerto Rico* Maintenance personnel as well as the aircrews of the Minnesota Air National Guard's 133rd Airlift Wing deployed to serve a two-week rotation in support of Operation Unified Response in January under the command and control of the 35th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. The Guardsmen of Minnesota will depart from Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico this weekend. The Airmen of the maintenance teams served with their respective aircrews. The 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard were the first aircraft to land in Haiti and shared the airlift missions with the 133rd before their departure last weekend. More than 107 sorties were flown within 14 days of the earthquake in Haiti. Also, more than 135 pallets of water, medical supplies and other needed items were airlifted in support of the earthquake victims. "My Airmen are amazing," said Col. Julio R. Lopez. "My maintainers have kept our aircraft full mission capable and my flyers have kept them in the air." Both units reported to Muniz in support of the U.S. Southern Command's Coronet Oak mission. The Guardsmen have airlifted water, medical supplies and other needed items to Haiti and the Dominican Republic in support of the earthquake victims. The Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., have also flown missions within the current week.
