An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Article Display

305th AMW aids families returning from Turkey

  • Published
  • ?Air Force News Service
HANOVER, Maryland - --  As military dependents and pets began arriving at Baltimore Washington International Airport, Maryland, March 31, 305th Aerial Port Squadron and aid members were there to welcome them.

Air Mobility Command's C-17 Globemaster IIIs, including those from Team MDL's own 6th Airlift Squadron aided in transporting Defense Department dependents after an ordered departure due to security concerns in some areas of Turkey.

During the "special assigned airlift missions," Lt. Col. Bary Flack, the 305th APS commander, said he was thrilled with how his team assisted families. The Airmen coordinated with numerous agencies and commands at Ramstein Air Base and BWI.

Once at BWI, the family members went to connecting flights, waited for a flight or made other travel arrangements. Airmen from Detachment 1, 305th Aerial Port Squadron, stationed at the airport, played a key role to ensure a smooth transition.

"The partnership with the BWI airport authorities has been outstanding," Flack said. "They've been great partners. To see not only how our folks adapted but the airports' adapted."

Several other airport agencies, including the USO and Red Cross, assisted passengers as they traveled through the airport.

Red Cross staff members helped in a variety of ways as families exited the terminals. Comfort kits, which included hygiene products, infant diapers, and dog and cat food for people with pets, were made available.

The Red Cross even provided more than 20 hotel rooms for families who had to spend the night as they waited to resume traveling.

Brittany Fowler, the spokeswoman for the American Red Cross of the Chesapeake Region, said her teams' job was to make this time a little bit easier for those departing from Adana, Izmir and Mugla, Turkey, including Incirlik AB.

"We know they've had a long journey and for them to come out and smile at us and just say 'thank you' is huge," Fowler said.

Other commands participating in the care of the military families included U. S. Transportation Command, U. S. Northern Command and U. S. Army North (Fifth Army). Each command coordinated actions to ensure people going through this event were treated with the best personal service possible.

U.S. European Command officials announced March 29 that this move does not signify a permanent decision to end accompanied tours in Turkey.