Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 NEWS
 Connecticut Air Guard to provide services in Haiti By Tech. Sgt. Joshua Mead
                Connecticut National Guard
 EAST GRANBY, Conn., - About 12 Airmen from the 103rd Airlift Wing
deployed from Bradley Air National Guard Base here Jan. 25 to provide
disaster relief assistance to the people of Haiti. The deployers are part of Operation Unified Response, which is the United
States' larger response to the Haitian request for humanitarian assistance. "This is it, this is what we train for," said Tech. Sgt. Gregory Jones, a
readiness trainer with the 103rd Force Support Squadron. The deployers will be providing initial large-scale beddown for all military
and civilian forces arriving in Haiti, said 1st Lt. Cheryl Mead,
installation deployment officer, 103rd Logistics Readiness Squadron. "They may also be tasked to issue out food or sent on search and recovery
missions," said Mead. "From the phone call, to getting on the plane-less than 48 hours," said
Tech. Sgt. Chris Jones, a training manager for the 103rd Force Support
Squadron and the assistant team leader for the deployers. "I had to make a lot of things happen very quickly," said Chris Jones,
referring to notifying family members, civilian employers and arranging
finances. Among others who sacrificed, Master Sgt. Melissa A. Letizio, noncommissioned
officer in charge for the base dining hall and team leader for her deployed
group, had to withdraw from college. She also said she may miss her sister's
wedding, but it would be worth the sacrifice. "Don't let my sister read that," said Letizio smiling. "I think this is
probably going to be the most rewarding deployment I've been on." As for the actual process of deploying, Letizio said it was more surreal
than anything; it happened so quickly. Within 24 hours, the deployers were able to put their civilian lives on
hold, conduct necessary training, and received vital mission essential
equipment like dust masks, cots, and tents that were purchased from a local
department store. That's right, camping tents. "I'm looking at it like a camping trip," said Chris Jones, "I love camping."
You always have to turn it into a positive thing, he said. The deployers left Bradley via C-21 aircraft to meet up with others in South
Carolina, where they are currently awaiting airlift into Port-au-Prince. In the meantime, they will palletize and load C-17 aircrafts for Haiti with
meals-ready-to-eat and water, said Letizio. It felt great just to be part of the humanitarian effort, it's what the
Guard does; it's what we're all about, said Lt. Col. McManaman, commander
for the 118th Airlift Squadron and one of the pilots, who flew the deployers
to their first stop. "We are ready, willing and able to support the Air National Guard mission,"
said McManaman. "I was happy to contribute in the smallest way to the relief effort in
Haiti," said Lt. Col. Lawrence Rizzo, chief of safety and C-21 pilot for the
103rd Airlift Wing, who also flew the deployers to South Carolina.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 5 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 12 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil