A C-17 Globemaster III and aircrew from the 176th Wing’s

A C-17 Globemaster III and aircrew from the 176th Wing’s 249th Airlift Squadron prepare to depart Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, with 24 personnel and a Joint Incident Site Communications Capability system bound for Puerto Rico to provide disaster relief assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria Oct. 6, 2017. In Puerto Rico, a 10-member communications and maintenance team from the Alaska Air Guard’s 168th and 176th Wings and the Alaska Army National Guard will operate and maintain the JISCC system, which will increase overall communication connectivity between the territory and mainland. Fourteen aerial port personnel from the 176th Wing will also operate logistical functions such as processing personnel and cargo, loading equipment, and preparing air cargo for transport. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Balinda O’Neal Dresel)