Altus Air Force Base supports Hurricane Gustav relief

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  • 97 AMW/PA
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - Altus Air Force Base began 24-hour-a-day operations on Friday, Aug. 29, in support of Hurricane Gustav relief and evacuation efforts. Seventy C-17 Altus aircrew members and maintenance personnel have been on alert since Friday, and an additional 48 KC-135 aircrew and maintenance personnel were placed on alert this weekend.

Lt. Col. Paul Bauman, commander of the 58th Airlift Squadron, reported this weekend the base sent out seven C-17 aircraft and 49 crew members to assist in a variety of relief missions. Altus C-17s dropped off supplies in Beaumont, Texas, and evacuated patients from hospitals, nursing and retirement homes. Altus aircrews transported these individuals to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. At Lake Charles Regional Airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and New Orleans Lakefront Airport, La., C-17 crews evacuated aero medical teams before the hurricane hit. In Quantico, Va., the crews picked up rescue teams. Crews also flew to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., dropping off general supplies and aiding in removal of aircraft from storm-threatened areas. Altus Air Force Base is standing by to assist with post-hurricane relief efforts.

One member of the 58th Airlift Squadron was assigned to the Presidential airlift support in Austin, Texas, where President Bush spoke today.

Col. Noel Zamot, commander of the 97th Mission Support Group, reported that on Sunday evening Altus received 88 active duty and Reserve Airmen from Lackland, Little Rock, Tyndall, Pope and other Air Force Bases, along with an 11-person emergency response team from Seattle, Wash. All of the personnel are staying at various locations downtown. Colonel Zamot stated, "Everything went smoothly, especially given the unique nature of this mission. Our Team Altus personnel were - as always - ready, enthusiastic and professional. It is humbling to think about the scope of the response to Hurricane Gustav, and very gratifying to know that Altus can be an integral part of this effort."