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

Tech. Sgt. Robert Shipp, an aerospace ground equipment specialist from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group, prepares a 60-kilowatt electric generator during camp build-up at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill., on Aug. 5, 2013, as part of Exercise Gateway Relief, a U.S. Transportation Command-directed earthquake-response scenario. The 123rd is joining forces with 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, which combines an Air Force Aerial Port of Debarkation with an Army trucking and distribution unit. The aerial port ensures the smooth flow of cargo and relief supplies into affected areas by airlift, while the trucking unit facilitates their final distribution over land. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)