910th continues long tradition of humanitarian efforts Published March 2, 2012 By TSgt. Dennis Kilker 910AW/PA YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Earlier this month, the 76th Aerial Port Squadron here added to the 910th Airlift Wing's long history of humanitarian support by loading a 305th Air Mobility Wing KC-10 Extender aircraft from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ, on its way to Honduras with medical supplies in conjunction with MedWish International. MedWish is a not-for-profit profit organization founded in 1993 by Dr. Lee Ponsky with the purpose of collecting unused medical supplies for donation to developing countries. MedWish makes use of the Denton Program, which allows space available on military aircraft to transport humanitarian aid to places in need. Master Sgt. Kevin M. Massie, superintendent of the 76th Aerial Port Squadron (APS), explains how the 910th Airlift Wing is no stranger to involvement with the Denton Program. "Col. McGregor was a big proponent of (the Denton Program) and he had us host a number of these missions," said Massie. "Col. Linsenmeyer supported missions, and this is Colonel Schmidt's first opportunity." The airlift is quite an undertaking, Massie continued. "There are Denton missions all over the country, but (for) MedWish in Cleveland and Mission of Love... we are the closest base," said Massie. "We were able to work with those people by providing the airlift bringing in the cargo or at least palletizing the cargo and making it airworthy." The airlift cargo, which departed YARS Feb. 5, 2012, was both large and expensive. "We have eight pallets, roughly 24,702 gross pounds of cargo; items such as hospital beds, EKG machines, mobile X-ray machines and other equipment," said Massie. "This delivery has been estimated at over $75,000 worth of equipment." Along with the humanitarian benefits, the mission also provided training for the personnel of the 76th APS. "This obviously benefits us because it gives us the chance to work on a different aircraft," Massie said, and "it makes us feel good that we can help them out." In previous missions involving the Denton Program, 910th Airlift Wing personnel helped send cargo to Haiti, Guyana, Dominican Republic, Russia and Sudan among others.