JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM -- Airmen from the 15th Wing, 735th Air Mobility Squadron, 535th Airlift Squadron and even the 55th Airlift Port Squadron from Travis AFB, Calif., all teamed up to deliver emergency supplies in preparation for Hurricane Madeline, which is slated to collide into the Hilo region of Hawaii’s Big Island later today.
The team, which is partnering up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA) is airlifting multiple generators and various relief supplies in the event the affected areas do not have enough generators to supply the necessary power.
“I am not glad this hurricane is slated to hit the Big Island,” said Captain Ryan Lutz, 535th Airlift Squadron aircraft commander. “However, I am glad that we are able to team up and not only respond to an event like this, but have the capability to deliver supplies before it even strikes – This Is why we spend so much time training, so we can remain flexible and adapt to any situation thrown at us.”
The ability to adapt to any situation might need to be utilized more than Lutz anticipated, as Hurricane Madeline is currently (as of 10:16 a.m. HST) a Category 1 hurricane, which brings Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA) Madeline is expected to weaken during the next 48 hours, and should be downgraded to a tropical storm later today.
Airman 1st Class Caleb Rausch, 535th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, said while he is concerned for the Island of Hawaii, he is glad he is able to make a difference.
“During the mission planning earlier this morning, we were briefed reports of the incoming storm, its projected path and some expectations,” he said. “I am glad our team was able to come together to pre-emptively make a mission happen. Who knows, what would happen if we were not able to get generators there before the storm struck? There’s a possibility someone could perish in these storms if the necessary buildings and services do not have power.”
While Rausch acknowledged the possibility of someone dying due to a lack medical services requiring electricity may seem farfetched, he said it is much better to take action and have nothing happen, than to do nothing and have the worst-case scenario happen.
For more information about Hurricane Madeline and ways to protect yourself and your family during situations like these, visit www.ready.gov. For up to date information about the storm and its projected path, visit www.noaa.gov.