SOUTHCOM, Kentucky ANG partner to ship aid to Ecuador Published March 6, 2008 By By Senior Master Sgt. Ray Sarracino U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga., -- A complex coordination effort has resulted in a U.S. Air Force cargo plane load of relief supplies being sent to victims of flooding in Ecuador. This shipment will provide much needed supplies to Ecuadorian authorities in their efforts to help those affected by the natural disasters in that country. The flight is scheduled to arrive in Manta, Ecuador on Thursday. The supplies, consisting of 162 flood clean up kits which include: Five gallon buckets with lids, respirators, goggles, gloves, coveralls, boot covers, brushes and environmentally-friendly germicidal wipes were donated by the U.S. Agency for International Development. In addition to the clean up kits, 9,000 alcohol pads, 2,250 bio hazard waste bags and 9,000 disposable vinyl gloves will be delivered aboard the aircraft. The mission was coordinated by U.S. Southern Command's Humanitarian Assistance-Disaster Preparedness/Response Team who worked with other federal agencies to coordinate the delivery of the supplies to Ecuador. The 123rd Airlift Wing of the Kentucky Air National Guard provided the aircraft and crew. The plane, a C-130 which flew from Louisville Air National Guard Base to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, just outside of Atlanta to load the supplies for the trip to Ecuador. One of the Kentucky Air Guard pilots, Maj. Shawn Dailey was pleased to be a part of this mission. "This is what brought me to the C-130...to fly missions that help people. In one sortie we may be flying troops, then turn around and fly humanitarian relief supplies to people in need in our own hemisphere." He said. The crew of the C-130 conducting the mission are part of the 123rd Airlift Wing. Numerous details must be attended to prior to the flight. Aircraft Loadmaster, Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Brown said: "The most important thing is planning to balance cargo weight and fuel." A frequent visitor to Ecuador in the past, he added: "It's always good to deliver humanitarian aid to our partners." Wednesday's mission was part of a larger ongoing effort to bring aid to partner nations in SOUTHCOM's area of focus. Among the many aid efforts SOUTHCOM has spearheaded include: Flood relief to Panama in 2006, Flood relief to Bolivia in March 2007, Earthquake relief to Peru in Aug. 2007 and relief to victims of the volcanic eruption in Tungurahua, Ecuador in Aug. 2006.
