Minnesota Air Guard responds to Superstorm Sandy

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss
  • 133rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
St. Paul, Minn. --  At the direction of the Air National Guard Catastrophic Action Team and Air Mobility Command, two Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 H3 "Hercules" cargo aircraft and 14 Airmen are supporting recovery efforts following Superstorm Sandy devastation.

"Your citizen-airmen are always ready to support our nation whether it's at home or abroad," said Col. Greg A. Haase, 133rd Airlift Wing Commander.

"The aircraft departed Saturday morning and flew to Charleston, S.C., and Dover, Del., with further travel to Kennedy Airport, N.Y.," said Maj. Ann M. Todd, 133rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Officer. "Since Saturday, both aircraft and crews have been based out of Joint Base Andrews, Md., flying missions supporting ongoing efforts to help our fellow citizens in need."

Minnesota Airmen flew five relief missions using two C-130s Saturday and Sunday, delivering at least 5,000 pounds, which included blankets and other supplies. They also flew at least nine passengers on the sorties.

Crews are returning to Minnesota between missions in order to vote today. The Airmen and C-130s continue on alert status, ready to fly back to the east coast if called.