Colorado-based AF Reservists bring aid, relief to Caribbean island

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
BARBADOS --  Air Force Reserve Airmen from the Colorado-based 302nd Airlift Wing lent a helping hand Oct. 30 with the transport of much-needed educational and medical supplies to the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. 

Through a U.S. humanitarian aid program supported by the Denton Amendment, medical and school supplies were delivered to the Caribbean island by U.S. military airlift, and are expected to be used at several places, including a hospital, nursing home, four children's homes, eight non-profit institutions, 34 area schools and even a prison. 

The supplies, which range from wheelchairs, syringes and exam tables to bicycles and school supplies, have been donated to St. Vincent from the Wausau, Wis. based Good News Project. Many of these donated items are in short supply on the island, according to Good News Project's Tom Fladland. 

"Donations from private organizations make it possible to help out all kinds of people, from mental patients to the elderly and orphans," said Mr. Fladland, the company's operations director. "Some of the donated items have a lot of useful life left in them." 

St. Vincent is just one of several islands that has benefitted from these humanitarian airlift missions throughout the area. Places like St. Lucia, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Grenadines have all received some aid from Air Force-supported missions through the Denton Amendment office, based at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Most units supporting Denton missions fly to Charleston AFB, take on their humanitarian cargo and fly off, enroute to their designated location. 

"It felt good to bring these supplies in," said Staff Sgt. James Jorgensen, a C-130 Hercules loadmaster assigned to the 302nd AW. "It's not the first time I've delivered aid, and it's good to know you bring school supplies and medical supplies to those who really need it." 

Officials from Good News Project based in St. Vincent were on hand for the delivery of the supplies. Ancil Knights, the coordinator for Good News on the island, said the kind of donations coming to St. Vincent meant "there was humanity somewhere." 

This delivery means "people care," Mr. Knights said. "I do my job because I believe in goodness. Good News not only distributes these supplies, but they build houses, visit institutions like the mental asylum and go into schools and teach kindergarten. But to see where some people live and to see the outcome of what Good News actually does, it's a great feeling to be a human being." 

Officials from the Denton office have outlined several areas where aid is expected to be airlifted. "Areas we expect to be impacted positively by these donations include the local cities of Kingstown, Mespo, Sandy Bar, Georgetown, Calliaqua, Mountain View, Stubbs, Owia, Richland Park, Lomans and Calder. Even many people in the rural areas surrounding these main communities will benefit greatly from the items," Ken Hundemer of the Denton office said. "All institutions we ship to are in need of basic material items." 

The 302nd AW is one of several C-130 airlift units throughout the AF Reserve Command. Many of these units are tasked to support Denton missions by transporting U.S. Government-approved donations to areas in need of critical aid. Mr. Fladland said he knew the work Good News is doing is "really important to the people on the receiving end." 

Describing his feelings from participating in this mission for six years, Mr. Fladland said, "It's something a big bonus or extra week of vacation can't give you. After 26 years, Good News has built more than 300 houses for serving people in the [Caribbean] islands, donated millions of tons of humanitarian supplies and helped our local community as well." 

Before departing, Mr. Knights said it meant a lot to have the Air Force fly the needed supplies into St. Vincent. "This was my second experience with you guys," Mr. Knights said. "I do keep up with current affairs, and I know how difficult it is for you guys being involved with the two wars, so to find time and take time to come here ... it's marvelous to see people come here and give up their time." 

Editor's note: The Denton office is named for former Alabama Senator Jeremiah Denton who, in 1985, amending U.S. Code 10, the code of law overseeing the armed forces. The Denton Amendment, known as Section 402, provides the Department of Defense the authority to use extra space on U.S. military cargo aircraft to transport humanitarian assistance materials donated by non-governmental organizations, international organizations and private voluntary organizations for humanitarian relief.

Stay with www.302aw.afrc.af.mil for the latest news and information.