News

Robins helps Flint with water crisis

  • Published
  • By Angela Woolen
  • Robins Public Affairs
First responders at Robins saw a need several states away and answered the call.

Spear-headed by the 78th Security Forces Squadron, the unit collected five tons of bottled water in less than two days to provide to residents in Flint, Michigan.

According to news reports, the Flint River water is extremely corrosive, and the older water service lines  contain lead. As a result, the caustic water leached lead off of the pipes and into Flint households. 

"If we could do that in two days, imagine what we could do with more time," said Staff Sgt. Kendall Iverson, 78th SFS flight chief.

Several security forces airmen, including Maj. Ian Walker, are Michigan natives and felt the urge to help a community in their home state.

"This is a humanitarian mission," Iverson said. Much like relief efforts during the earthquake in Haiti or missions after Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf of Mexico, the team couldn't ignore the crisis happening in Flint.

More than 66 pallets were lined up in the department, nearly filling up a room. Volunteers then used personal vehicles to transport the water to a church in Macon which is helping to ship the bottles for free.

"A case of water is about $2.50 at the commissary so it doesn't cost much to give," Iverson said.