Airmen from the 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron pose on a container loader for a group picture at Andersen Air Force Base, December 15th, 2021. The Airmen formed a last minute cargo load team in support of an emergency delivery of Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units to Wake Island after their water purifier malfunctioned, leaving the atoll without potable water. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Crisp) ()
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Airmen from the 36th Logistic Readiness Squadron sent two Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units and five support pallets to Wake Island during a water shortage.
Wake Island is a coral atoll in the western Pacific Ocean. It is an unorganized unincorporated territory of the United States and is home to the Wake Island Airfield, which is primarily used as a mid-Pacific refueling stop for military aircraft and as an emergency landing area.
The atoll’s one water purifier broken down, leaving the approximately 100 stationed individuals without water.
“This was a real-world short notice tasking from PACAF to support our neighboring island,” said Capt. Kenny Maeng, 36th LRS performance assessment flight commander. “We came together as a squadron to fill the tasking, prepare the cargo with our two contractors and went the extra mile to load the cargo on two C-130Js from Yokota with Material Handling Equipment support from the 734th Assignment Management System. It was truly a cradle to the grave operation for our Logistics Planners and testing multi-capable Airmen capabilities.”
The ROWPUs and their supporting equipment came from the War Reserve Material unit, which storages supplies for emergencies just like this.
“The WRM team works hard every day to make the mission happen,” said Master Sgt. Troy Farley, 36th LRS log planner. “Nonetheless, it is not every day we are able to see the full process so clearly, from HQ tasking to C-130s flying towards the horizon. I am very proud of my LRS team for rallying to meet this challenge. It makes it particularly special to attribute our actions to such a meaningful outcome.”
LRS pulled junior enlisted and senior NCOs from several AFSCs to perform duties outside their normal responsibility to complete this emergency mission.
Cargo was loaded up on to two C-130 J Super Hercules on December 15th and delivered the same.
