Puerto Rico-based relief operations use 'YouTube' to get the word out

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MUNIZ AIR BASE, Puerto Rico --  Air Force Reservists and Air National Guardsmen have pulled 24 hour operations in support of Haiti relief operations since their arrival to this Puerto Rico airbase.

Using Web technology offered by video Web sites like YouTube, the outside world can see exactly what operations and maintanence Airmen here are contributing to relief efforts.

The video podcast is a 30-second to one-minute recap of support and activities to relief operations based at Muniz Air Base. YouTube, a free video Web service located on the Web at www.youtube.com, is accessible from most internet connections, except from ".mil" military computers which do not allow access to the Web site.

"Technology gives us such a great opportunity to use different ways to show the world what Airmen at Air Expeditionary Force Coronet Oak are contributing to relief operations," said Col. Julio "Zorro" Lopez, 35th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander. "It's fascinating to not only use these different venues to get the word out to the world on what we're doing, but to get information out to younger generations who regularly use sites like YouTube."

Colonel Lopez, who took command of the squadron in summer 2009, said he was passionate about finding "any and every way possible" to tell the world of AEF Coronet Oak's support to earthquake relief in the Caribbean. And for the colonel, YouTube was just one venue.

"Every time I think of the number of flight hours our air crew are logging shuttling passengers from Haiti to medical facilities, and the amount of sweat maintainers pour out night and day to keep our C-130s going, I'll find any and every way possible to tell the world what they do here."

To view the video podcasts on the YouTube page, visit www.youtube.com/302ndAW.