Humanitarian aid in the form of medical supplies is offloaded Feb. 4 in Honduras from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, operated by the Air Force Reserve 315th Airlift Wing from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. — Capt. Justin Clark | U.S. Air Force
Gribben helps nearly 130,000 during Air Force humanitarian aid, training mission
Over a weekendlong combined humanitarian and training mission, three C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and their Reserve Citizen Airmen crews from the 315th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charlston, South Carolina, delivered humanitarian aid to Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras, Feb. 3-4.
The three missions were planned to maintain the aircrews’ flying currency and readiness requirements, while delivering the cargoes of medical supplies, an ambulance and several tons of food to outreach organizations in their respective countries.
“We all feel a great sense of pride when we get the opportunity to fly down south and have the chance to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Capt. Sean Gribben, 300th Airlift Squadron pilot. He is the grandson of Jim Gribben of Holyoke.
“While we were taxiing to the ramp in Honduras, we went right past an elementary school, and its fence line was crowded with young children waving at us and jumping up and down. It’s in those moments that you know you are making a difference,” said Gribben.
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