A C-17 Gobemaster III sits on the flight line at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, before takeoff May 10, 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. This C-17 was carrying 89,000 pounds of equipment and was expected to make the flight in seven hours. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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A C-17 Gobemaster III sits on the flight line at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, before takeoff May 10, 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. This C-17 was carrying 89,000 pounds of equipment and was expected to make the flight in seven hours. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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Capt. Todd Peterson, 517th Airlift Squadron, talks with Airmen before takeoff at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, May 10, 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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Airman 1st Class Nicholas Kenny, 517th Airlift Squadron, ensures the cargo is fastened on a C-17 Globemaster III at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, May 10, 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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Capt. Josh Quinn, 517th Airlift Squadron, reviews some pre-flight instructions before takeoff at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, May 10, 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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An Airman finishes up refueling a C-17 Globemaster III before takeoff at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, May 10, 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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Tech. Sgt. Chad Nyreen, 732nd Air Mobility Squadron, helps load cargo at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, May 10, 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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Members of the 732nd Air Mobility Squadron load cargo at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, May 10, 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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A member from the 732nd Air Mobility Squadron directs a fork lift while in the process of loading cargo at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, May 10, 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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A Navy boat skimmer sits on a flatbed, at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, May 10, 2010, ready to be flown out the morning of May 11. 2010. Airmen from Elmendorf worked hard to gather and load oil containment equipment that was flown to New Orleans Naval Air Station. Several squadrons participated in providing relief support for the Gulf oil spill. “I’m extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges,” said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the U.S. Navy SUBSAL located on Fort Richardson.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross)

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Elmendorf C-17's fly cargo to aid Gulf of Mexico oil spill

Published May 11, 2010
3rd Wing Public Affairs

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes assigned to Elmendorf's 517th Airlift Squadron are transporting oil containment equipment to New Orleans, La., to assist with the clean-up of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

So far, three C-17s and 15 aircrew from the 517th and 249th Airlift Squadrons have transported 211,000 pounds of equipment to Louisiana.

An additional three flights are scheduled. Elmendorf transportation experts expect nearly 500,000 pounds of oil containment equipment to be delivered before the operation is over.

Prepping and delivering the cargo has been a consolidated Team Elmendorf effort.

"I'm extremely excited to support this mission. The nature of this equipment, and the responsibility to ensure it is air-worthy, has presented our squadron with several new and unique challenges, however our squadron has risen to the occasion and have been very successful through three aircraft departures already, " said Mike Boy, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. "We continue to closely coordinate with agencies from USTRANSCOM, USNORTHCOM, ALCOM, and FEMA Region Six. Up to this point, we have inspected, palletized, and loaded over 100 tons of equipment belonging to BP Exploration (Alaska) and the US Navy SUBSAL located on Ft. Richardson."