LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Members of Laughlin’s 86th Flying Training Squadron delivered quality-of-life essentials to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico on Oct. 18, 2021 in support of Operation Allies Welcome.
The crew loaded over 600 pounds of supplies, donated from squadrons across Laughlin, into their T-1 and headed west to Holloman where the base is currently housing over 4,000 Afghan refugees.
“These supplies we get for Operation Allies Welcome go directly to support our Afghan partners here,” said Master Sgt. Megan Rowe, 49th Maintenance Group plans and scheduling section chief. “It ensures they have what they need on a daily basis.”
The items delivered from Laughlin included such things as winter clothing items, basic hygiene supplies, and items for infants. Since Operation Allies Welcome began, Task Force Holloman has received over 1,000 tons of supplies.
“We have been getting support from all over,” said a volunteer from Holloman’s 49th Operations Group. “We've been getting calls from bases all over the country offering to support us in some way.”
The enormous scale of the housing and supporting mission at Holloman means no amount of help is too small and Team XL members were proud to help in any way possible .
“It's really a great honor,” said 1st Lt. Gabriel Shepherd, 86th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot. “I wanted to do whatever I could to help out, especially given the circumstances right now.”
If you'd like to help support, Task Force-Holloman suggests donating to: The American Red Cross, The International Rescue Committee, The Salvation Army, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, International Organization for Migration, or the National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster).
For more information, call Task Force-Holloman at 575-572-1468.