Disaster Diaries: Aerial Porters Glad to Have Work

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J. Justin Pearce
  • 403rd Wing
Keelser AFB, Miss. --  Despite the devastating blows from Hurricane Katrina, Reservists of the 41st Aerial Port Squadron, including those who lost everything, continued their mission without a snag. 

Around mid-September, seven people from 41st APS teamed with active duty at Keesler to help with Coast wide hurricane relief. Three of these seven troops had lost everything. 

Nevertheless, they got to work. Their roles as members of an aerial port squadron were unloading cargo from aircraft such as MREs, water and other supplies, as well as loading it onto pallets and even sometimes delivering it to relief distribution centers around the Coast. 

“I’ll tell you one thing: the problem about people coming to work after losing everything wasn’t a problem for me,” said Senior Master Sgt. Sherita Johnson, supervisor, 41st APS. “All my guys came in and worked 12 hours a day and we released them when they needed to handle personal situations like with FEMA, and they stepped up and did their jobs as usual.” 

During the mission, the troops assisted in downloading nearly 29 thousand tons of cargo from two dozen aircraft. 

Senior Airman Darrell Williams, one of the troops who suffered a total loss from Katrina, reported willingly for duty. 

“I was just thankful I still had a place to work,” he said, also thanking compassionate comrades for their concern during this tough time. 

Sergeant Williams lived in New Orleans about 10 minutes from the Superdome in an apartment complex that became a dirty aquarium for three weeks until the water subsided from the city. The seminary his wife attended and where he worked as a civilian were also flooded and condemned. Like a great deal of others, he and his wife Noelle left their home with lonely hands after several false alarms. 

“We’ve left for so many hurricanes, and each time we didn’t take as much,” he said. “We took clothes and wedding pictures.” 

They returned to their apartment to be told it was environmentally unsafe to enter, and they have yet to return. With a smile on his face, Sergeant Williams reported for work for his 12 hour shifts, driving an hour or two each way for the first two weeks and on the weekends entertained residents Coast wide by performing in his Poison tribute band. 

“When the hurricane hit, I was working in the day and playing [in the band] at night,” he said. “I’m just happy the Air Force Reserve offered me an opportunity to come back to work and give back to other guys who didn’t have anything – that’s what I wanted to do.” 

While working for a month at 41st APS, he and the band performed in New Orleans, Biloxi and Mobile. Soon after his tour at Keesler, he and Noelle moved to Charlotte, Ill., to stay near family. Despite the move to Illinois, he wants to continue to serve as a Reservist with the 403rd Wing. 

“They’re good friends and it’s like a big family,” he said. 

Master Sgt. Ronney Spradlin is another reservist from 41st APS who suffered losses from Katrina. He had evacuated to Arkansas, and heard good news that his house had weathered the storm.  When he returned, however, his house wasn’t as squeaky clean as reported. 

“When I walked in and the carpet started squishing, I knew I was in trouble,” he said. 

He arrived at his home the Friday after the storm to find that it had taken in nearly three feet of water – all his furniture was ruined, as well as other priceless items like photographs. He had a big mess on his hands, but put it all aside and reported for work the next day, he moved into temporary lodging on base and began helping his squadron help others. 

“I feel good about what we did – we were able to make several trips downtown delivering supplies, water and food to D’Iberville and Waveland,” he said. “These people needed more help than I did, and that’s why I was helping them.” 

After hours, troops from 41st APS spent time with Sergeant Spradlin, helping him clear his house of the moldy mess Katrina left. He said he was happy to have friends like these. 

“With the support I received, I can’t complain about anything – I’d be selfish if I did.” 

Other 41st APS troops are currently supporting contingencies in several places around the globe. Sergeant Johnson said all of the aerial porters are scheduled to return home soon.