916th Crew Flies Humanitarian Mission to St. Lucia

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jeramy Moore
  • 916th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  A team of Airmen from the 916th Air Refueling Wing flew humanitarian supplies and equipment recently to aid in the construction of a hospital on the island nation of St. Lucia.

“It was just a really outstanding opportunity to be part of the crew that went down there to meet the people, and shake their hands, and deliver the hardware to the hospital,” said 1st Lt. William Thompson, a pilot with the 77th Air Refueling Squadron.

The Good News Project, an American volunteer organization based in Wisconsin, donated the shipment which was valued at $35,413.

The mission was facilitated by the Denton Program, which is jointly administered by U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The Program allows excess space on U.S. military cargo jets to be used for the transportation of humanitarian goods and equipment.

Recipients of the shipment included St. Lucia’s main hospital, one health clinic, two schools and four nursing homes.

“When individuals and organizations make large donations to help qualifying humanitarian relief recipients, there is still a great logistical feat in getting those goods delivered.” said Maj. Quentin Mueller, chief of current operations with the 77th ARS. “Through the Denton program, the U.S. helps those generous donators help others around the world, fostering teamwork and a sincere caring environment.”