Col. Tony Polashek, the 934th Airlift Wing commander, joined Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH) crisis action team (CAT) operating at Tyndall Air Force Base’s 601st Air Operations Center in Florida to coordinate Department of Defense air mobility resources supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s relief effort as a Deputy Director of Mobility Forces.
“There were many contributors in the effort flying missions to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,” said Polashek. “One of the heavy hitters has been the (Air National) Guard who had flown over 56 percent of the missions.”
Hurricane Maria caused catastrophic damage in Puerto Rico and is being touted as the worst natural disaster on record in the region.
The DoD’s primary focus now is to support FEMA and local authorities in distributing commodities as well as life-saving and life-sustaining support to the Puerto Rican people.
As of Oct. 14, 2017 the unified response has provided over 289,315 pounds of water, food and medical supplies, restored cell service to 78 percent of the population, and installed temporary emergency power to 350 of the 457 locations requested.
Military aircraft along with Canadian C-17’s and Antonov 124’s operated by FEMA contractors have flown more than 1700 sorties in support of the relief effort according to Polashek.
The 934th transported a 13 member security forces team and their gear down to Homestead AFB Fla. to help support the disaster relief and humanitarian efforts into Puerto Rico.
With progress being made and the recovery effort operations expected to go long, citizens face many challenges going forward. “The magnitude of the operation is big enough that it’s challenging the entire system,” said Polashek. “It’s been remarkable to see it all come together and that’s not to say it’s been easy, it’s been very challenging.”
Some major accomplishments include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assisting with repairs and assessing damage to the Guajataca Dam as well as transporting two field hospitals into the area.
“The overall picture is this is really a magnificent operation and the longest CAT activation in AFNORTH history,” said Polashek. “Between Harvey and this, the magnitude of effort is amazing and I feel fortunate to be part of it.”