McChord pre-positions C-17 for Hurricane Rita response Published Sept. 23, 2005 MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- A C-17 Globemaster III and Airmen assigned to the 10th Airlift Squadron here deployed to Kelly Air Field, Texas, today in preparation for Hurricane Rita.The pre-positioned jet carries no cargo and a crew of five Airmen, according to McChord AFB officials.McChord AFB also has two aircrews on alert to support hurricane response operations.Team McChord is ready to respond, said Col. Steve Arquiette, vice commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord. McChord Airmen are still providing relief to Hurricane Katrina victims and now were postured to expand those relief missions as needed.Additionally, the 446th AW (Air Force Reserve) here sent a C-17 to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 22 to pick up 400 patient litters and 800 cargo straps. The crew delivered the equipment to Beaumont, Texas, for possible use in evacuating non-ambulatory patients. (Courtesy 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs) Air Mobility Command News Service is a service of the Internal Division Office of Public Affairs 503 Ward Drive, Room 214 Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225-5335 618-229-7821