Airman sees Haiti scene unfold from under the brim of many hats

An Airman from the 621st Contingency Response Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., marshals an arriving C-130 Hercules bringing aid supplies to Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport Jan. 30, 2010, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The rapid response wing provided manpower and expertise to operate the overwhelmed air-cargo movement system in the aftermath of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated most of the surrounding area, killing hundreds of thousands and displacing millions from their homes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Dustin Doyle)

and away we go

Staff Sgt. Luis Rodriguez, an aerial port craftsman with the 818th Global Mobility Squadron, loads equipment into a van at the Global Reach Deployment Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., before leaving for Japan, March 22. Sergeant Rodriguez is a member of an airfield assessment team from the 621st Contingency Response Wing here and will be conducting airfield surveys after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres/released)

CRW arrives in Romania

Members of the 621st Contingency Response Element off-load a C-17 Globemaster III upon arrival at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, May 9. Fifty-four members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing deployed here to extend airfield capability supporting multi-modal operations during a U.S. Transportation Command proof-of-principle evaluation. The process is expected to demonstrate the feasibility of using the air base as a hub for equipment flowing into and out of Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Laura K. Deckman/released)

Contingency response wing to receive AFA Citation of Honor

Published July 22, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres
621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 621st Contingency Response Wing was selected as a 2011 recipient for an Air Force Association Citation of Honor.

According to the Air Force Association, the citation is in recognition of the CRW's outstanding contributions to the development of aerospace power for the betterment of mankind.

"This is an incredible honor for every Devil Raider," said Col. Chris Patterson, 621st CRW commander. "This citation is a validation of the tremendous efforts and selfless dedication of each of our Airmen. Over the past year they mobilized the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, provided relief to Pakistan, Haiti and Japan, and helped the U.S. Air Force advance peace worldwide."

In 2010, the 650-member CRW deployed mobility Airmen to 49 humanitarian response or contingency locations around the world.

Mobility Airmen of the 621st responded to the earthquake-damaged Port-au-Prince, Haiti airport to establish cargo offload operations and a passenger processing terminal in the aftermath of the devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake. Arriving a day after the disaster, the team offloaded 15 million tons of relief supplies and processed more than 25 thousand passengers in 37 days.

Airmen also participated in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response, flood relief in Pakistan, and earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan.

Furthermore, the Devil Raiders were tasked to support the presidentially-directed combat surge of 30,000 additional warfighters and their equipment. The CRW established aerial port and trans-shipment points to move 50 helicopters and 500 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles into Afghanistan.

"In addition to our cargo handling missions in support of contingencies and disasters, the CRW is the 'go-to' unit for air mobility expertise," said Lt. Col. Lee Wingfield, 819th Global Support Squadron commander. "Two dozen air mobility liaison officers provide day-to-day airlift guidance from positions embedded within Army and Marine units in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Behind the scenes, 621st COSG air mobility logisticians are our unsung heroes," he continued. "These problem solvers are and have been routing and scheduling AMC assets in command centers worldwide, keeping the fuel and cargo flowing over Libya, the Middle East, Haiti and Japan."

With all the wing accomplished to receive the AFA recognition, Patterson isn't arrogant or boastful as he looks back, he is humbled and in awe of his Airmen.

"Our wing's mission statement isn't a goal, it's a pointed reminder of what we are called upon to do every day," said the commander. "We deploy versatile mobility Airmen disciplined to solve problems in complex environments. This is their award."

A delegation from the 621st is scheduled to receive the award at the 2011 AFA Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C, Sept. 19.