Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization, Norwegian Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Marine Forces Europe load a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with pallets of humanitarian supplies for transportation at Stjordal, Norway, Nov. 14, 2011. The mission is in support of the Turkey-led relief efforts following the Oct. 23 and Nov. 9 earthquakes in Van province, Turkey. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Wayne Clark)
Airman 1st Class Christopher Dysert and Staff Sgt. Glen Scott both from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany talk about the mission while waiting to unload C-130J Hercules aircraft with pallets of humanitarian supplies from Stjordal, Norway, Nov. 15. The effort is in support of the Turkey-led relief efforts following the Nov. 9, and Oct. 23, earthquake in Van province, Turkey. At the request of the Turkish government the Department of Defense has tasked U.S. European Command to airlift relief supplies to Van province. (U.S. Air Force photo/MSgt Wayne Clark, AFNE Regional News Bureau) (Released)
Members of the Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization, Norwegian Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Marine Forces Europe prepare pallets of humanitarian supplies for transportation at Stjordal, Norway, Nov. 14, 2011. At the request of the Turkish government, the Department of Defense has tasked U.S. European Command to airlift relief supplies to Van province following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake Oct. 23 and a magnitude 5.7 tremor Nov. 9. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Wayne Clark)
Flight crew from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany unload C-130J Hercules aircraft with pallets of supplies from Stjordal, Norway, Nov. 15. The effort is in support of the Turkey-led relief efforts following the Nov. 9, and Oct. 23, earthquake in Van province, Turkey. At the request of the Turkish government the Department of Defense has tasked U.S. European Command to airlift relief supplies to Van province. (U.S. Air Force photo/MSgt Wayne Clark, AFNE Regional News Bureau) (Released)
Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization, Norwegian Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Marine Forces Europe load a C-130J Hercules aircraft with pallets of humanitarian supplies for transportation at Stjordal, Norway, Nov. 14, 2011. U.S. European Command is airlifting the supplies to Turkey. Turkey is leading relief efforts in the Van region of their country after the area suffered two earthquakes: a magnitude 7.2 quake that occurred Oct. 23 and a magnitude 5.7 tremor that occurred Nov. 9. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Wayne Clark)
United States personnel from the 37th Airlift Squadron and civilian and military personnel from Turkey unload pallets of supplies and equipment off of a C-130 in Van province, Turkey on Nov. 14. The pallets are flown to Turkey via a C-130 Hercules ???Christine??? to assist in humanitarian relief efforts in the aftermath of two major earthquakes that struck the country. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason A. Blackburn/Released)
Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization, Norwegian Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Marine Forces Europe load a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with pallets of humanitarian supplies for transportation at Stjordal, Norway, Nov. 14, 2011. The mission is in support of the Turkey-led relief efforts following the Oct. 23 and Nov. 9 earthquakes in Van province, Turkey. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Wayne Clark)
Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization, Norwegian Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Marine Forces Europe load a C-130J Hercules aircraft with pallets of humanitarian supplies for transportation at Stjordal, Norway, Nov. 14, 2011. U.S. European Command is airlifting the supplies to Turkey. Turkey is leading relief efforts in the Van region of their country after the area suffered two earthquakes: a magnitude 7.2 quake that occurred Oct. 23 and a magnitude 5.7 tremor that occurred Nov. 9. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Wayne Clark)
Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization/Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Marine Forces Europe load a C-130J Hercules aircraft with pallets of humanitarian supplies for transportation in Stjordal, Norway, Nov. 14, 2011. The effort is in support of the Turkey-led relief efforts following the Nov. 9, and Oct. 23, 2011, earthquake in Van province, Turkey. At the request of the Turkish government the Department of Defense has tasked U.S. European Command to airlift relief supplies to Van province. (U.S. Air Force photo/MSgt Wayne Clark, AFNE Regional News Bureau) (Released) Defense Media Activity
Capt. Bryan Swierenga, 37th Airlift Squadron aircraft commander reviews the cargo manifest with Turkish airport officials in Van province, Turkey on Nov. 14. The pallets are flown to Turkey via a C-130 Hercules ???Christine??? to assist in humanitarian relief efforts in the aftermath of two major earthquakes that struck the country. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason A. Blackburn/Released)
Turkish civilian and military personnel unload pallets of supplies and equipment off a C-130 in Van province, Turkey on Nov. 14. The pallets were flown to Turkey via a C-130J Hercules ???Christine??? to assist in humanitarian relief efforts in the aftermath of two major earthquakes that struck the country. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason A. Blackburn/Released)
Flight crew from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany unloaded a C-130J Hercules aircraft with pallets of supplies from Stjordal, Norway, Nov. 15. The effort is in support of the Turkey-led relief efforts following the Nov. 9, and Oct. 23, earthquake in Van province, Turkey. At the request of the Turkish government the Department of Defense has tasked U.S. European Command to airlift relief supplies to Van province. (U.S. Air Force photo/MSgt Wayne Clark, AFNE Regional News Bureau) (Released)
by Capt. William Russell
U.S. Air Force in Europe Public Affairs
11/15/2011 - ERZURUM AIRPORT, Turkey -- United States Air Forces in Europe sent a C-130J Super Hercules loaded with arctic relief supplies to southeastern Turkey, Nov. 13 to aid victims of recent earthquakes here.
The C-130J, assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Airlift Wing, departed Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to deliver supplies to the Van region of Turkey, which is coping with the after effects of two earthquakes that occurred on Oct. 23 and Nov. 9, 2011.
"First and foremost, our condolences go out to the people of Turkey affected by these natural disasters," said Capt. Bryan Swierenga, 37th Airlift Squadron aircraft commander. "Turkey is a resilient country and the government will put these humanitarian supplies to good use."
In total, USAFE as the air component for U.S. European Command delivered more than 28,000 pounds of supplies to include heaters, empty fuel canisters and 115 arctic tents to the region.
The relief supplies were provided by the Norwegian Defense Logistic and Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Stjordal, Norway.
"It is always a great feeling to help out one of our allies," said Capt. Austin Rust, 37th Airlift Squadron pilot. "It has been a cooperative effort from the start with the State Department and EUCOM taking charge by delivering these cold weather supplies to the government of Turkey as they lead the relief efforts after two major earthquakes."
