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Sergeant steps up during tsunami relief efforts

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
  • 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Everything pointed to a normal day for Staff Sgt. Patrick Haney, who was on temporary assignment in American Samoa Sept. 29 -- until the island started to shake underneath his feet. 

An earthquake, initially measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale, triggered a tsunami that day that reportedly claimed nearly 200 lives in the South Pacific region, leaving thousands homeless. Sergeant Haney, 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing Pacific passenger and fleet operations noncommissioned officer in charge, was in Pago Pago working on a contract change over for the Air Terminal Ground Handling Service when things changed immediately. 

"It was crazy," the Owensboro, Ky., native said. "I have never felt a shake like that."
He immediately started calling folks to get an accountability of the people he was working with there and making phone calls back to Hickam AFB. 

"I don't think anyone ever expects something like that," he said. "I assumed some damage from the earthquake, but not the tsunami." 

Once the initial assessment was made, Sergeant Haney knew there would be airlift operations bringing people and supplies to the region, helping the American Samoan people pick up the pieces. 

"In the back of my mind, I was thinking, 'there is going to be airlift,' but I wasn't sure how much," he said. "So I made a call back to the shop at Hickam to see what we would expect." 

The tsunami couldn't have hit at a worse time for the contract change over. Sergeant Haney was working with the former contractor as the contracting officer representative and making sure there was a smooth transition from to the new contract. 

His normal duties are contract oversight, to include evaluating all processes by the contractor against the contract performance work statement. Additionally, he was responsible for making sure the transition went well for the Oct. 1 change over, which includes accounting for and signing over government furnished materials and equipment from one contractor to another. 

"Out of necessity, he not only ensured the new contract transition occurred successfully, but he became responsible for coordinating equipment, personnel and aircraft flowing into Pago Pago in support of relief efforts," said Col. Richard McClain, 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing commander. 

The Air Terminal Ground Handling Service in Pago Pago is a contract to transition military aircraft and is only equipped to handle a "gas and go" style operations with only 60 short tons per year. It was never built or equipped to handle large aircraft downloads like this humanitarian assistance effort. 

On top of the contract, humanitarian supplies are starting to filter into the area. Less than 24 hours after the tsunami, a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 landed. From that time for the next several days, it was contract change over duties with constant interruptions from aircraft landing to deliver humanitarian supplies and people. 

"The first couple of days were ruthless as far as sleep goes," he said. "I didn't expect the amount of emotion and adrenaline I experienced." 

As issues popped up on the radar, Sergeant Haney steadily worked with local agencies to ensure his mission and the mission to deliver the humanitarian supplies was both accomplished. Sergeant Haney also worked closely with U.S. Army Reservist Maj. John Adams, Sgt. 1st Class Pele Reserve Center American Samoa commander. 

"He was the Air Force's key communications node to relay airport capabilities, limitations and inbound aircraft and cargo to all parties," Colonel McClain said. "In addition he coordinated manpower, equipment and office space support from the Samoan Army National Guard." 

"(Major Adams) was all about the joint effort throughout all of this," he said. "He wanted to make sure my mission was done and make sure the efforts on the ground continued."
From Sept. 30 when the first aircraft arrived until Oct. 11, Sergeant Haney coordinated a multitude of joint agencies in handling 746 short tons of humanitarian supplies and equipment from 46 aircraft, nearly 12.5 times more than they were set up to handle during an entire year. 

"Operating with very little sleep, Staff Sergeant Haney embodied our Air Force core values, with particular emphasis on service before self," Colonel McClain said. "The success of this effort is due to a lot of individuals and agencies; however, this Airman stands at the forefront." 

He coordinated actions with the on-site Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives, the onsite disaster control officer, U.S. Pacific Command's Pacific Deployment and Distribution Operations Center, Pacific Air Force's 613th Air Operations Center Air Mobility Division, Air Force Air Mobility Command's 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, 515th Air Mobility Wing, and the 735th Air Mobility Squadron. He also worked a number of U.S. Coast Guard C-130s, FEMA commercial aircraft, and several aircraft from neighboring countries. 

"I was impressed by how all the organizations came together in such a short amount of time," he said. 

Sergeant Haney is also impressed by the American Samoan people. He was most impressed by their attitudes. 

"I really hope that in the face of tragedy, I would be able to smile like they were," he said. "The American Samoan people are truly special. I have never met a person there that has been anything less than exceptionally friendly, and in this particular case there was not one person that didn't tell us thank you for what we were doing. It was truly my pleasure to be able to help the American Samoan people."