Equipment and supplies to reconstruct electrical grid arrives at Stewart Air National Guard Base

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, NEWBURG NY (11/01/2012)(readMedia)-- The first of 17 Air Force cargo planes carrying 69 repair vehicles and equipment from California for use in New York and New Jersey will arrive at Stewart Air National Guard Base at 4 p.m. today, Nov. 1.

Aircraft and crews from 12 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve bases across the nation flying to March Air Reserve Base, Calif., where they are slated to pick up approximately 10 passengers and 632 short tons of equipment and supplies supporting relief efforts on the East Coast.

The passengers and cargo, including 69 vehicles belonging to the Southern California Edison utility company, are slated to arrive at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, N.Y. at around 4 p.m

Reporters who wish to cover the arrival of the aircraft should call Tech Sgt. Michael O'Halloran at 845-563-2031 for access to this secure military installation and be at the front Gate of Stewart Air National Guard Base, at One Maguire Way, no later than 3:15 p.m. to be escorted on post.

The movement is expected to require the use of five C-5s and approximately 12 C-17s. A C-5B from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and C-17 from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., are among the first aircraft scheduled to depart March Thursday morning.

The New York Air and Army National Guard have more than 2,400 Soldiers and Airmen committed to the response to Hurricane Sandy ordered by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Airmen from the 105th Airlift Wing, which his based at Stewart Air National Guard Base are currently on duty in New York City assisting in recovery efforts there.