Alaska ANG members fight War on Drugs Published Jan. 4, 2008 By Maj. Kelly Mellard 168th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Alaskan Guard members packed a strong punch in helping to fight the War on Drugs. The 168th Air Refueling Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard recently completed a 30-day rotation to the 478th Expeditionary Operations Squadron in Manta, Ecuador, where the unit offloaded more than 1.3 million pounds of jet fuel. U.S. ANG refueling platforms provide critical aerial refueling support to Department of Defense assets poised to break the reign of South American drug trafficking. Manta's location on Ecuador's western coast provides uninhibited strategic reconnaissance of more than 4,000 square miles of eastern Pacific Ocean, southern Caribbean and Colombia. "We came here wanting to set the standard for others to follow," said Lt. Col. Robert Mackelprang, 168th Air Refueling Wing deployment detachment commander. "We are a critical member of this team, and having an impact on the War on Drugs is what we're here for. It's a future impact that is far reaching, even to the frozen shores in Alaska. It impacts our children, your children and everyone in the United States." The Alaskan Airmen completed more than 23 flawless sorties during their month-long mission. In between all that flying, Guard members also found time to volunteer in the local community. Visits were set up to orphanages and other relief organizations. True to the Alaskan spirit, many volunteered to help and great things happened through these efforts. Glass windows were paid for and installed in a local "soup kitchen," clothes were given to children who had gone without, shoes were put onto feet that were cut and bruised from walking on sharp gravel, food was given to people who otherwise would not have eaten and crying babies were picked up and held that may have otherwise been ignored. Indeed, it seemed that the mission in Manta was two-fold for the 168th Air Refueling Wing--the humanitarian aid had become as important and fulfilling as their primary mission. The humanitarian relief that was extended by the Airmen would not have been possible without the giving nature of the local Fairbanks, Alaska, community. When the call went out for help, the people of Fairbanks, North Pole and Eielson, Alaska, opened their hearts. Businesses, local churches, schools, families and individuals donated medical supplies, clothing, hygiene items, food, toys, school supplies and countless other articles to the people of Ecuador. Never before had the people of Manta seen so many humanitarian items come off a single jet. "We not only surpassed our wildest expectations but also those of the people here in Ecuador," said Capt. Jake Earle, a KC-135 pilot from the 168th Air Refueling Wing who helped coordinate the humanitarian efforts. "The folks down here in Manta could not believe the goodwill of our people back home, and even the U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador, Linda Jewell, had trouble finding the right words to express her gratitude to the people of Alaska." Members of the 168th Air Refueling Wing look forward to the possibility of someday returning to Manta to help in the War on Drugs and also to extend their hand once again to the Ecuadorian people. "It has been our pleasure to serve and help those who are in so much need," Earle said.