2015 Nepal Earthquake Response

Posted on Apr 15, 2025 in 2010's, HING History

In April and May 2015, the 204th Airlift Squadron flew several C-17 missions in support of disaster relief in earthquake ravaged Nepal. The 109th AOG also sent a 12 member team to Nepal in the aftermath of the earthquake to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance/disaster relief to Nepali victims. The 109th AOG personnel provided on-the-ground command and control for cargo flights that brought in more than 34,000 pounds of relief supplies.

– 2015 Annual Report pp. 19

Hawaii Air National Guard Assists With Relief Efforts in Nepal

Col. Robert Hoffman and about a dozen Hawaii Air National Guardsmen were a part of the first wave of support to Nepal. The C-17 “The Spirit of Kamehameha” and its HIANG and active duty crew made the journey to deliver relief supplies.
Col. Robert Hoffman and about a dozen Hawaii Air National Guardsmen were a part of the first wave of support to Nepal. The C-17 “The Spirit of Kamehameha” and its HIANG and active duty crew made the journey to deliver relief supplies.
(Picture from the 2015 May Pūpūkahi)

KATHMANDU, Nepal — The U.S. Air Force’s 36th Contingency Response Group arrived in a C-17 Globemaster III Aircraft May 5 at Kathmandu, Nepal, bringing in more personnel to provide aid after the earthquake.

After the country was hit with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, The Nepalese Government requested the U.S. Government’s help. U.S. Agency for International Development is a U.S. Government agency that gives civilian foreign aid in time of natural disasters. Since the disaster, an international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation has been taking place.

“Many nations are involved in the assistance and we are here to receive all the aid from around the world,” said Lt. Col. Glenn Rinehart, the commander of the 36th Mobility Response Squadron. “We also alleviate some of the backlog to efficiently get supplies to the people who need it the most.”

Peter W. Bodde, the United States Ambassador for Nepal, visited the airport for the arrival of the C-17.

“Now we are entering the relief phase where we have the 36th CRG coming in from Guam providing expertise and resources to augment the assets of the airport,” said Bodde.

The 36th CRG’s mission is to provide the tools to help get more aircraft through the ramp and accelerate the aid that comes in through this airport so it doesn’t become a chokepoint for the distribution across the country, according to Col. Lee Anderson the 36th Contingency Response Group Commander.

“We are going to be here for as long as we need to in order to provide aid through this airfield,” said Anderson.

–2015 May Pūpūkahi pp. 1
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