19-Member Team, Two Blackhawks Loaded In C-5  

A team of 19 Airmen and Soldiers and two helicopters from Joint Task Force Bravo departed Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, on Monday heading for the Dominican Republic to assist with recovery efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Noel.

The 19 servicemembers and two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were loaded on a C-5 Galaxy from the New York Air National Guard Monday morning, and were due to arrive in the Dominican Republic later in the day.

"We'll be doing search and rescue missions," said Army Sgt. Jose Burgos-Mercado, one of the Joint Task Force Bravo Soldiers deploying to the Dominican Republic. The 19 member team from Joint Task Force Bravo consists mostly of aircrew and search and rescue team members.

There are a lot of people still missing, so we'll help look for them and move relief supplies, Sergeant Burgos said.

"It feels really good to be a part of this, making a difference in people's lives," said  Capt. Kevin Brathwaite, New York Air National Guard, one of the C-5 aircrew members.

The aircrew was in Rota, Spain, scheduled to operate in Southwest Asia when they received the call they were to come to Honduras to assist with tropical storm relief efforts.

Capt. Jason Siebert of the West Virginia Air National Guard flew with the New York Airmen on his first C-5 overseas training mission.

"I've gotten to see almost the whole world in one trip," said C

aptain Siebert about his unique training mission. "But when you get the chance to do something humanitarian, you do it, that's why we're here."

(Aero-News salutes 1st Lt. Erika Yepsen, Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs)

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