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1st SOLRS Airmen fuel recovery mission in Haiti

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Friends and family members welcomed back Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Wing at the Hurlburt Field Base Operations Jan. 27.

1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen returned from Haiti after a two-week deployment of establishing the fuel resupply line for all military vehicles and aircraft involved in the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts Jan. 14.

"The thing with any mission is that you can't move without fuel," said Maj. Steven Gibson, 1st SOLRS commander.

The 1st SOLRS teams left Hurlburt Field with 500 gallon tanks of fuel and issued the prime source of diesel fuel for aircraft, vehicles and forklifts used at the airfield, said Major Gibson.

"They played a critical part of the mission, and they did a fantastic job," he said.

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Perez, 1st SOLRS fuels specialist, saw a lot of the quake's damage from his window on the flight to Haiti.

"It was very hot, and there was no running water while we were there," he said.

1st SOLRS Airmen not only issued fuel, but unloaded water and food pallets from aircraft and carried patients to C-130s on their way out of the country for medical help.

"It felt good to help them out, and I wish I could stay longer," Sergeant Perez said.

Airman 1st Class Tracy Scott, 1st SOLRS fuels specialist, also moved food and water from aircraft while issuing fuel for vehicles and forklifts.

"My supervisors taught me a lot during this deployment," Airman Scott said. "I couldn't have done it with my crew."

His deployment to Haiti was his first time in a foreign country.

"The people were devastated, hungry and needed help. I hadn't seen anything like it before," Airman Scott said. "It's great to be back, but there's still a lot more that needs to be done."

1st SOW Airmen are still in Haiti continuing to deliver supplies, provide food and water, and save lives.