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Staff Writer CHICOPEE With 10 reservists, along with rescue and supply equipment on board, a gigantic C-5 Galaxy destined for Pakistan headed out of Westover Air Force Base at 11 a.m. last Friday, marking the first of what may be many humanitarian efforts put forth by the base for the victims of the Pakistani Earthquake. The aircraft's first stop was for Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, where it was scheduled to pick up two CH-47 Chinook helicopters, according to Maj. Jennifer Christovich, chief of Public Affairs for the base. Tech. Sgt. Andrew S. Biscoe, of the Public Affairs office on the base, explained that the C-5s are the only aircrafts that carry two of the Chinook helicopters, each of which weighs 30 tons. Biscoe explained that Westover Air Force Base is no stranger to these relief missions, as it flew nine missions for Hurricane Katrina relief, and one mission for Hurricane Rita, transporting a total of 396 tons of cargo and 44 passengers. Led by Maj. Changkun Moon of the 337th Airlift Squadron, aircraft commander, the 10 crew members will begin the second part of their mission when they reach Rota Air Base in Spain for a layover, at which point they will learn of their next step. Not knowing all the exact details of the missions can be difficult at times, according to Moon, especially for the families of the crew members. "We have no warning of when we're going to be leaving, and we don't know exactly when we're going to return, which can be difficult for our families," said Moon, who has flown "quite a few of these missions", including one for Hurricane Katrina. He said that it was difficult for him when his son asked him last week when he would be returning, and he couldn't give him an answer. "I had to tell him I didn't know," he said, adding that he suspects the missions will take a few weeks. Despite this, Moon said that the trips are both "rewarding," and "out of the ordinary," for him. "It's heartbreaking to see people suffer, and I take pride in knowing that we are helping in the relief effort," he said. According to Christovich, it's also important to note that the missions can also be difficult for employers of reservists, because they are unable to receive notice on when their employees are leaving. However, she said that the majority of employers are "so supportive," and "more than understanding." The crew members, who are all Air Force Reservists and members of the 337th Airlift Squadron, the 439th Airlift Wing's flying unit, are as follows: Capt. Corey Aiken, Capt. Andrew Mihaley, Staff Sgt. Kevin Boardman, Master Sgt. David Wilson, Staff Sgt. Michael Pasternak, Senior Airman Daniel Orcutt, Senior Master Sgt. Gary Miller. Also on board is Master Sgt. Paul J. Gagnon, and Senior Airman Michael E. Kaminsky, members of the 439th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. | ||||||
