Through the Jupiter Boeing 767 and C-40 Atlas aircraft, more than 1,500 presents and food kits were transported for the families of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina in an inter-institutional work conducted by private companies, Military Forces and the Colombian State.
Coordination begins from the Military Transport Air Command (CATAM), where the connection conducted by these institutions with the rest of the country was carried out, in order to reach the communities that are far away in the national geography. With a two-hour flight between CATAM and the Caribbean Air Group, in San Andrés Island, it was possible to transport these supports immediately, which is a relief at this time of Christmas and New Year for the island inhabitants.
The arrival of these aircraft, which have been fundamental to the mission of rebuilding Providencia and Santa Catalina, complemented the initiative to share the magic of Christmas between the Raizal community and the Colombian Air Force. After the unloading of these supplies, the cargo is divided with land and air transportation in San Andrés to reach the Islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina, through C-295 aircraft.
Under strict biosecurity protocols, these presents were distributed in the Loma Barrack neighborhood in San Andrés and in the Cama Baja in Providencia, where they were coordinated by leaders of the Junta de Acción Comunal (Local Action Board) and the Save Old Providence Foundation, who organized the distribution along with the Department of Comprehensive Action of the Colombian Air Force.
The activity took place with smiles, happiness and hope among children and staff attending the event. On this occasion, the Second Lieutenant David Bello Coronado, Head of the Department of Comprehensive Action on behalf of the TC Benjamín Méndez Rey Air Base will tell us about his experience in this special date.
Tell us, how was this initiative born?
This distribution of presents and food kits was born under the strategic alliance between the local communication media Noticias Caracol and the Colombian Air Force. Every year, for these special date, this type of deliveries are made in different places and inhabitants in our country; this time due to the affectation left by Hurricane Iota, Noticias Caracol joined.
How many people were necessary for the logistics of this event and the impact it generated among the community?
Our Institution contributed with two crews: the first was with the C-40 Atlas aircraft in which the presents were transported from Bogotá to San Andrés with a flight staff of eight military personnel; and the second, from San Andrés to Providencia with flight and logistical support personnel made up of 22 soldiers of the Caribbean Air Group. Additionally, the support of Army and National Police personnel was required for the distribution of presents in Providencia and Santa Catalina.
What experience does it give you for your life to have been part of this activity that led to the joy of hundreds of families hit by Hurricane Iota?
I believe that for many of us, who have been able to contribute to this emergency, it is a new experience and it is gratifying to be able to help in these activities that have to do with supporting the communities. The gratitude of the people fills my heart and makes greater the value of wearing this uniform when seeing a child's smile in the midst of this situation; it strengthens the spirit of the people. For this reason, every day we are going to continue adding with different activities for the wellbeing of the island's inhabitants.
What message do you want to give our readers?
I want to highlight the work that is carried out by the Caribbean Air Group. Our daily life is to work for you and is focused on the people, our reason to work is the wellbeing of the Archipelago and of all Colombians, to contribute to guarantee rights and improve the quality of life of people.
Through these alliances, the Colombian Air Force facilitates to reach the most remote areas of the country, providing its air capacity and military personnel that are always available to all Colombians.
Source: press - Colombian Air Force
