humanitarian
missions
responding to every call
The U.S. Air Force has provided humanitarian aid since the Berlin Airlift in 1948.
The call to serve doesn’t always come from a battlefield. It can rise from the rubble of an earthquake, the chaos of a hurricane, or the silent threat of a deadly outbreak. But when disaster strikes, the U.S. Air Force answers without hesitation. More than defenders of freedom, Airmen are first responders to crises at home and around the world. Whether it’s delivering lifesaving supplies, evacuating victims, or saving a single life thousands of miles away, delivering humanitarian aid is not just another mission, it’s a duty they all embrace.
The U.S. Air Force has provided humanitarian aid since the Berlin Airlift in 1948.
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01HURRICANE HUNTERSINTO THE HEART OF THE STORM
During the historic 2024 hurricane season, the Air Force Reserve’s Hurricane Hunters flew over 1,100 hours in WC-130J aircraft, tackling 14 storms across the Atlantic and Pacific. Braving powerful systems like Hurricane Beryl—the earliest Cat 5 on record—and Helene, which devastated Florida and the East Coast, these Airmen gathered life-saving data. When Francine threatened their home base, they relocated mid-season. Working with NOAA aircraft, their efforts shaped forecasts and protected communities. The storms may pass, but the Hurricane Hunters’ commitment to saving lives never wavers.
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01ARTIC MISSIONAGAINST THE COLD AND THE CLOCK
Survival seemed impossible after a contractor suffered cardiac arrest at Antarctica’s McMurdo Station—where no one had survived such an event in 35 years. In -35°C temps and blizzard conditions, medics from McMurdo, the NSF, and the U.S. Air Force revived him with CPR and eight defibrillator shocks. Airmen from the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 187th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron stabilized him, then teamed with a New Zealand crew for a daring 2,500-mile flight. Against all odds, he survived. In the most remote place on Earth, readiness made the difference.
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01FIGHTING FIRESFighting fire from above
In 2024, as wildfires ravaged Southern California, the Air National Guard sprang into action. C-130 Hercules aircraft from Channel Islands Air National Guard Station supported ground crews with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS), each capable of dropping 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in just five seconds. Activated by U.S. Northern Command, these missions helped slow the fires’ advances. Developed in the 1970s as a partnership between the Forest Service and the Department of Defense, MAFFS-equipped aircraft continue to play a vital role in protecting lives and containing wildfires nationwide.
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01SEARCH AND RESCUEAFTER THE STORM
After Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina, four civilians were stranded and seriously injured in the mountains—one critically. Roads were gone, time was short, and local responders were grounded. Within 10 minutes of the call, Airmen from the 41st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron and 563d Personnel Recovery Task Force launched from Davis-Monthan AFB. Flying HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, they battled rugged terrain, found the victims, stabilized them, and airlifted them to safety. For these elite rescuers, “That Others May Live” isn’t just a motto—it’s a promise they keep every day.
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01MEDICAL READINESSSAVING LIVES AND STRENGTHENING TIES
On April 11, 2025, the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) wrapped a two-week medical mission in Georgetown, Guyana. Nearly 60 U.S. Air Force and Reserve medical professionals teamed with local doctors to treat over 1,700 patients, perform 273 surgeries, and provide care across five hospitals. They also repaired 14 critical medical devices and completed 2,000+ hours of training. Blending precision with purpose, the mission enhanced U.S. medical readiness and deepened partnerships in the region—proving some missions are won not with weapons, but with compassion, expertise, and collaboration.
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01EMERGENCY AT SEARESCUE 1,000 MILES FROM HOME
When a cruise passenger suffered a medical emergency 350 miles off the U.S. coast, the 920th Rescue Wing sprang into action. Two HH-60G Pave Hawks, two HC-130J Combat King IIs, and elite pararescue teams raced to the scene. Hoisted aboard the ship, Airmen stabilized the patient and then airlifted him and his mother out. Staying in constant contact with doctors, the team delivered care en route. After eight hours, several refuelings, and 1,000 miles, the mission ended in success—showcasing the 920th’s unmatched ability to save lives anywhere on Earth.
