The two consecutive typhoons struck the Philippines in early November, calling for the evacuation of over one million citizens. At the request of the government of the Philippines, the U.S. military responded by airlifting 10,000 family food packs from Clark Air Base, Luzon, to Virac Airport, Catanduanes.

“In coordination with the Philippines Office of Civil Defense, the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of War, we have been tasked to support the joint U.S. military response to deliver aid, consisting of 10,000 family food packs, to the impacted Catanduanes region of the Philippines,” said Lt. Col. Sara Wofford, 36th Airlift Squadron director of operations and acting 374th Airlift Wing detachment commander. “The U.S. has employed assets from across the joint service to include U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, Pacific Air Forces, and U.S. Special Operations Pacific, in order to provide the relief that is required for the Philippine people.”

The deployment package included the 374 AW Logistics Quick Reaction Force, a self-sustaining aerial port package designed to deploy anywhere on short notice. The 374 AW Log-QRF provided a 10k All-Terrain forklift, communication flyaway kits and force protection capabilities to assist joint and bilateral movements. This was the first real-world deployment for the homegrown capability.

“Log-QRF is a grassroots initiative with the goal of being self-sufficiently loaded onto an aircraft, being sent to any location, and setting up mobile port operations,” said Senior Airman Jordan Cusmano, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron combat mobility technician and air transportation (2T2) team lead. “Over the course of this relief effort, we have safely transported all necessary equipment and personnel. We loaded maintenance and support equipment for the aircraft and set up a secure mobile grid yard for our cargo.”

After notification, three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron launched from Yokota Air Base, staging briefly at Kadena Air Base, Japan, to load additional maintenance personnel and rescue equipment from the 31st and 33rd Rescue Squadrons before continuing to Clark Air Base, Philippines.

“Clark Air Base has limited organic capabilities to fulfill aerial port functions,” said Cusmano. “Log-QRF can fulfill most, if not all roles and responsibilities when it comes to port operations. We are also the only team on site certified for engine running onloads and offloads which has helped speed up our response capabilities here. We deploy our own equipment, do the work, and then redeploy ourselves.”

The 36th Airlift Squadron collaborated with U.S. military forces and the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group to airlift Marines to and from Virac Airport to assist in family food pack delivery. Approximately 164,000 pounds of cargo, equipment and humanitarian aid supplies were airlifted throughout the duration of the operation.

“Lives are at stake and we’re here to do anything we can,” said Cusmano. “When it comes to times like this, I think we really find where we need to be in the midst of everything. We excel under the pressure.”

The operation signified the resolve of the unwavering U.S.–Philippine alliance, a shared commitment to regional stability, and the 374 AW’s ability to project capabilities across the Indo-Pacific at a moment’s notice.

“I believe the most important part of this operation was showcasing the United States’ commitment to our defense Ally, the Philippines,” said Wofford. “We have shown our commitment and strength of our partnership by the professional and expeditious deployment to execute this relief mission.”