CRW Airmen stand ready to support Hurricane Irma relief efforts

Senior Airman Justin Polk, 821st Contingency Response Support Squadron aerial porter, offloads the 10K All Terrain forklift, September 9, 2017, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Two contingency response teams from the 821st Contingency Response Group at Travis Airforce Base, Calif., and a third from the 621st Contingency Response Group at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. prepositioned at Scott AFB, to await forward deployment to support ongoing relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Liliana Moreno/Released)

CRW Airmen stand ready to support Hurricane Irma relief efforts

Airmen from the 821st Contingency Response Group board a C-5M Super Galaxy, September 9, 2017, at Travis Airforce Base, Calif. Two contingency response teams from the 821st Contingency Response Group at Travis Airforce Base, Calif., and a third from the 621st Contingency Response Group at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. prepositioned at Scott AFB, to await forward deployment to support ongoing relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Liliana Moreno/Released)

CRW Airmen stand ready to support Hurricane Irma relief efforts

Senior Airmen Austin Rozelle-Murphy and Benjamin Morris, 821st Contingency Response Support Squadron aerial porters, secure cargo for aerial shipment, September 9, 2017, at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. Two contingency response teams from the 821st Contingency Response Group at Travis Airforce Base, Calif., and a third from the 621st Contingency Response Group at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. prepositioned at Scott AFB, to await forward deployment to support ongoing relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Liliana Moreno/Released)

CRW Airmen stand ready to support Hurricane Irma relief efforts

Published Sept. 10, 2017
By Tech. Sgt. Liliana Moreno
621st Contingency Response Wing

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Three contingency response teams prepositioned at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., await forward deployment to support ongoing relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

“Our teams are part of a larger Department of Defense response to support civil authorities,” said Master Sgt. Rodney Huffer, 921st Contingency Response Squadron CRT chief. “Our role is to rapidly respond with critically-needed capabilities to deliver assistance and aid in relief efforts as directed.”

“We will likely have an N+6 response time,” Huffer said. “From the time we are notified, we need to be in-place at our destination in six hours.”

The CRTs are being paired with Rapid Response Aeromedical Staging Teams to facilitate medical air evacuation of patients in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

“Once an airfield is deemed usable by the 821st CRG’s Airfield Assessment Team, a CRT and RRAST will infill via a C-17 to reopen the airfield,” said Master Sgt. Dale Nyhus, 821st Contingency Response Squadron CRT chief. “The CRT will establish command and control of the airfield and provide aerial port and maintenance support, while the RRAST coordinate evacuation of patients.”

The CRT will also support the movement of additional relief supplies and personnel, as needed.

The 621st Contingency Response Wing remains prepared to assist civil authorities’ efforts to provide rapid humanitarian aid to those affected by one of the largest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic.

“It is always a privilege to serve the American people, so it will be especially meaningful to be able to assist our citizens directly,” Nyhus said. “We empathize with those in Irma’s path, and look forward to getting help into the area as soon as possible.”

There are currently two CRTs from the 821st Contingency Response Group at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and a third from the 621st Contingency Response Group at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Our RRAST partners are from here at Scott AFB.

The 621st Contingency Response Wing has units continuously on alert and ready to deploy anywhere in the world within 12 hours of notification.

“Personnel and equipment readiness are inextricably linked to that capability,” Nyhus said. “We validate that readiness by participating in exercises to simulate situations ranging from combat to humanitarian relief.”