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535 AS continues to support Operation Tomodachi

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lauren Main
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii- --  The C-17 Globemaster III taxied down the 15th Wing flightline late in the evening of March 24. Moments later, a tired and jet-lagged crew deplaned and stood on American soil for the first time since they departed on March 10. The crew had just completed one of many humanitarian missions flown by the 535th Airlift Squadron in support of Operation Tomodachi in Japan.

"After the earthquake and tsunami I was put on standby," said Capt. Andy Stewart, C-17 pilot and Deputy Chief of Current Operations with the 535 AS. "I was given about two hours notice before we actually left for Japan. But I was really eager to go and help. I felt so helpless sitting at home and just watching the disaster unfold on TV."

Captain Stewart flew on the first mission to leave from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on March 12 and return March 22.

There are approximately 130 Airmen currently deployed in support of Operation Tomodachi from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, including Airmen from the 15th Wing, Pacific Air Forces and the 647th Air Base Group.

Airmen supporting Operation Tomodachi are providing humanitarian relief by delivering supplies such as food, water, blankets and medical supplies. They are also conducting search and rescue/recovery missions.

"We moved about 70,000 total pounds of cargo," said Capt. Nate Padgett, also a C-17 pilot with the 535 AS.

Captain Padgett and his crew were taking part in Cope Tiger, a multi-national exercise in Thailand, when they received orders to fly humanitarian missions in Japan.

"We started out in Cope Tiger and were called into perform humanitarian relief for Japan about five days into our exercise in Thailand," he said.

The 535 AS continues to provide support and relief to Japan. Being a flexible cargo aircraft, the C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo.

"I think we've made a big impact with the lift capability that we have on the C-17. Just seeing the devastation and knowing what people are going through, I just knew that once I touched down I was going to make a difference," said Captain Padgett.