Team McChord delivers aid to Turkish earthquake victims

Published Nov. 3, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Leah Young
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- An aircrew of five Airmen assigned to McChord Field's 10th Airlift Squadron delivered humanitarian relief supplies to eastern Turkey, Nov. 1, 2011, to aid victims of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake which hit the region Oct. 23.

"The men and women of Team McChord are always ready to provide airlift at a moment's notice," said Maj. Corey Simmons, 10th AS director of operations. "It is an honor for the 10th Airlift Squadron pathfinders to provide relief to our great partner Turkey in their time of need."

As the first C-17 Globemaster III crew to assist in the relief efforts in Turkey, the 10th AS Airmen delivered a 75,000 pound load of tents from Norway for movement to Erzurum Airport in Turkey.

"Our Airmen are focused on providing support at home and around the world at any time," said Simmons. "Rapid global mobility is a key to providing assistance at times like these."

According to officials at the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., the tents will provide earthquake survivors with shelter as recovery efforts continue. The tents are six-sided pyramidal-shaped shelters that can comfortably house up to 10 people plus their clothing and equipment. The tent's wind, mildew and fire-resistant materials ensure the warmth and dryness of the occupants even in frigid temperatures.

The earthquake killed more than 500 people and injured an estimated 2,300.