Michigan Air Guard evacutes New Orleans VA Hospital

News Release 0510

August 31, 2005

SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MICH. - Two C-130 Hercules and fifteen aircrew members from the 171st Airlift Squadron will be used to evacuate more than a 140 patients from the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in New Orleans. The patients will be transported to hospitals located in Houston, Texas.

"The chance to help alleviate suffering and save lives is extremely important and we are proud to be helping the people of New Orleans in this way," said Lt. Col. Michael Thomas, 171st ALS director of operations. Thomas indicated other planes and crews are on stand by for the relief efforts.

Some of the aircrew members have recently returned from overseas support missions in the Global War on terrorism. Since January 2004, the 171st ALS hascontinuously rotated C-130 aircraft and crews into southwest Asia.

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Contact the 127th Wing Public Affairs Office at (586) 307-5576 with questions regarding this release.