After the May 31, 1970, earthquake, the 39th Tactical Airlift Squadron on rotational duty at Howard AFB, Canal Zone sent C-130's to Lima to support the relief efforts. Upon arriving at Lima Colonel Beckett (the squadron commander), Ssgt Richard Eubanks and Sgt Leonard Holmes (both Combat Controllers), Mrs. Consuelo de Velasco (Peru's first lady) and US Ambassador Taylor Belcher flew over the disaster area to survey the damage and determine the best method to reach the area.