Kentucky Air Guard joins with Army Rapid Port Opening Element for U.S. Transportation Command earthquake-response exercise

Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group arrive at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill., on Aug. 6, 2013, after deploying from Louisville, Ky., aboard a Mississippi Air National Guard C-17 from the 172nd Airlift Wing. The Airmen are joining with Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army’s active-duty 689th Rapid Port Opening Element from Fort Eustis, Va., to stand up and operate a Joint Task Force-Port Opening through Aug. 9 as part of a U.S. Transportation Command-directed earthquake-response scenario. A JTF-PO, which combines an Air Force Aerial Port of Debarkation with an Army trucking and distribution unit, ensures the smooth flow of relief supplies into affected areas by airlift, and coordinates their final distribution over land. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)