FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) conducted its first assistance mission in Puerto Rico today in support of commonwealth and federal hurricane relief efforts.
Six HH-60 medevac Blackhawk helicopters from Team Medevac, an element of the division’s 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, transported three Disaster Medical Assistance Teams from Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan to hospitals in Arecibo, Mayagüez and Ponce.
Team Medevac, comprised of more than 70 personnel and eight HH-60 medevac Blackhawk helicopters, departed here, Sept. 27, on two C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft. After arriving later that day at José Aponte de la Torre Airport, in Ceiba, Soldiers from the team and Airmen from the 22nd Airlift Squadron, 60th Air Mobility Wing and the 68th Airlift Squadron, 433rd Airlift Wing unloaded the helicopters. The Soldiers then placed the aircraft into operation and conducted test flights, Sept. 28, before conducting their first relief mission today.
A DMAT is a federalized workforce of doctors, nurses, paramedics, emergency management technicians, safety, and others who provide medical care to those impacted by natural disasters or other incidents in the United States.