Charleston squadron flies medical supplies to New Jersey

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (USTCNS) --- Airlift forces at Charleston AFB have played a major role in almost every past conflict and contingency, and last week's attack on the World Trade Center was no exception.

On Sept. 11, Capt. Phil Lynch from the 14th Airlift Squadron and his five-man crew flew to Gulfport, Miss., to pick up medical supplies in support of the relief efforts in New York.

Lynch's crew airlifted a 47-person medical team from Keesler AFB, Miss., in addition to 70,000 pounds of medical supplies and a container of blood to deliver to McGuire AFB, N.J.

They arrived in New Jersey Sept. 12 to drop off the medical team whose mission was to help set up a makeshift hospital for disaster relief and aeromedical operations.

"Although all our missions are important, this one was very much so," said Lynch. "Everyone on the crew was willing to do whatever we were asked to do. We were ready and willing to go help out."

Several of Charleston's C-17s have deployed in support of the relief efforts for the Pentagon and New York attacks. The aircrews have been ready to respond on a moment's notice if tasked.

According to Lynch, "It felt really good to be doing something, to know that we were helping instead of sitting there and watching it on TV and actually getting out there and making some small difference."

(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)