Aerial Port Squadron trains FEMA task force
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (USTCNS) --- When the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Calif. needed training on aerial deployments, it turned to Travis Air Force Base for help.
As a result, a new partnership between FEMA's California Task Force 7 in Sacramento and the base began, and on Feb. 21, three Northern California task forces from Menlo Park, Oakland and Sacramento came to the Travis aerial port for training.
Members of the 60th Aerial Port Squadron spent the day giving their FEMA students briefings and hands-on training on how to palletize and prepare their equipment for mobilization.
This is not the first time Travis has worked with FEMA, the independent agency tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating disaster. Travis was the staging ground for the teams deploying for the Oklahoma City bombing, Atlanta Olympics bombing and Northridge earthquake. But this is the first time representatives from the two agencies have sat down to build a contingency plan.
"FEMA has designated Travis as the departure airfield for CTF 7 in the event a natural disaster or other emergencies occur," said Master Sgt. Kevin Shadden, 60th APS. "Our partnership in practicing how to properly deploy will allow for the expedited departure of this team to potentially life-threatening missions."
"When we deploy, it's a time-sensitive matter. Whether it's an earthquake, fire or bombing, it is imperative that we get there as quickly as possible," said Anthony Kastros, CTF 7 logistics team manager. "Travis is helping us with the training we need to ensure a quick and smooth deployment."
All the hard work the aerial porters have put into this project hasn't gone unnoticed. "The 60th APS have been very proactive in getting this project up and running," Kastros said. "They have been doing a lot of great work and have made us feel very welcome."
The APS and CTF 7 will have the chance to put learning into action later this year. They are planning an October exercise where the team will be tasked to deploy to a crisis location on Travis, Shadden said. (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).
As a result, a new partnership between FEMA's California Task Force 7 in Sacramento and the base began, and on Feb. 21, three Northern California task forces from Menlo Park, Oakland and Sacramento came to the Travis aerial port for training.
Members of the 60th Aerial Port Squadron spent the day giving their FEMA students briefings and hands-on training on how to palletize and prepare their equipment for mobilization.
This is not the first time Travis has worked with FEMA, the independent agency tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating disaster. Travis was the staging ground for the teams deploying for the Oklahoma City bombing, Atlanta Olympics bombing and Northridge earthquake. But this is the first time representatives from the two agencies have sat down to build a contingency plan.
"FEMA has designated Travis as the departure airfield for CTF 7 in the event a natural disaster or other emergencies occur," said Master Sgt. Kevin Shadden, 60th APS. "Our partnership in practicing how to properly deploy will allow for the expedited departure of this team to potentially life-threatening missions."
"When we deploy, it's a time-sensitive matter. Whether it's an earthquake, fire or bombing, it is imperative that we get there as quickly as possible," said Anthony Kastros, CTF 7 logistics team manager. "Travis is helping us with the training we need to ensure a quick and smooth deployment."
All the hard work the aerial porters have put into this project hasn't gone unnoticed. "The 60th APS have been very proactive in getting this project up and running," Kastros said. "They have been doing a lot of great work and have made us feel very welcome."
The APS and CTF 7 will have the chance to put learning into action later this year. They are planning an October exercise where the team will be tasked to deploy to a crisis location on Travis, Shadden said. (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).
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