DVIDS: Mescalero Apache Tribe welcomes military aid after flooding

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Maldonado, 7th Air Support Operations Squadron tactical air control party specialist, cleans a grate at Mescalero, New Mexico, July 19, 2025. The volunteers supported local recovery efforts following severe flooding that damaged infrastructure and natural resources in the Mescalero Apache community. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski

Holloman Airmen and 7th ASOS Respond with Aid After Flooding in Mescalero

Monday, August 4, 2025

By Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski, 49th Wing

DOD DVIDS

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Since the start of July, the communities of Mescalero and Ruidoso, New Mexico, have been affected by flooding due to a constant influx of thunderstorms in the area.

More than 90 Airmen from the 29th Attack Squadron, and 7th Air Support Operations Squadron, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Bliss, Texas, mobilized to provide critical support to the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

“As soon as we heard they needed help, we assembled a small team and started gathering volunteers from the base,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Norton, 29th ATKS instructor pilot. “We also reached out to Fort Bliss, and any time you get that many volunteers coming together, it’s something special.”

Ryan Kidrowski, Southwester Electric electrician, left, and U.S. Air Force Aidan Rodriguez, 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics technician, fill up a sandbag at Mescalero, New Mexico, July 19, 2025. Over 90 volunteers helped to sort through and transport clothes, fill and transport over 1,500 sandbags and clear the Mescalero Apache Tribal Hatchery of debris. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski

Volunteers supported multiple recovery efforts, including sorting and transporting clothing donations, clearing flood debris, and filling sandbags to bolster defenses against further damage. One of the hardest-hit areas was the Mescalero Tribal Fish Hatchery, which lost more than 80% of its fish stock due to contaminated spring water.

“Our fish rely on clean spring water from the canyons,” said Kyle Valdez, Mescalero Emergency Operations Center project manager. “When the floods hit, that water became filled with silt and debris. Thanks to the volunteers, we were able to clear out the waterways and restore oxygen flow to the remaining fish we have.”

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dawson Ivosic, 49th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion apprentice, helps load sandbags into a trailer at Mescalero, New Mexico, July 19, 2025. The volunteers supported local recovery efforts following severe flooding that damaged infrastructure and natural resources in the Mescalero Apache community. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski

Teams of Airmen cleared debris from three separate waterways near the hatchery and placed sandbags to protect vulnerable infrastructure. At the community center, additional volunteers organized clothing donations, delivering dozens of bags to nearby distribution points. Meanwhile, at a local sawmill, volunteers filled more than 500 sandbags and delivered over 1,000 to multiple locations.

“I spent most of my time at the sandbag site,” said Norton. “Many volunteers even used their personal vehicles to distribute sandbags. It made a real difference in protecting the hatchery and other key areas.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Taylor Smith, 635th Materiel Maintenance Squadron avionics technician, ties up a filled sandbag at Mescalero, New Mexico, July 19, 2025. Volunteers supported multiple recovery efforts, including sorting and transporting clothing donations, clearing flood debris, and filling sandbags to bolster defenses against further damage. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski

This operation wasn’t the first collaboration between the 29th ATKS and the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Since the squadron’s reactivation in 2009 as an MQ-9 Reaper unit, it has developed a close relationship with the tribe, one rooted in mutual respect and cultural appreciation.

“The tribe helped design our squadron morale patch when we reactivated,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. John Gossett, 29th ATKS C-Flight commander. “Over the years, we’ve supported each other, whether through educational tours, judging drone competitions, or providing aid to last year’s wildfires.”

This enduring partnership reflects the Air Force’s broader commitment to building strong ties with local communities and supporting neighbors during times of need.

“It’s a great feeling to have this partnership with the 29th ATKS,” said Valdez. “We expected far fewer people to show up, but the turnout was incredible. Seeing that many volunteers step up to help the tribe was nothing short of amazing.”

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Davide Bumagat, 29th Attack Squadron aviation resource management journeyman, helps sort through clothing donations at Mescalero, New Mexico, July 19, 2025. Volunteers supported multiple recovery efforts, including sorting and transporting clothing donations, clearing flood debris, and filling sandbags to bolster defenses against further damage. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski

Members of Team Holloman, the 7th Air Support Operations Squadron and community members pose for a photo at Mescalero, New Mexico, July 19, 2025. Over 90 volunteers helped to sort through and transport clothes, fill and transport over 1,500 sandbags and clear the Mescalero Apache Tribal Hatchery of debris. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowsk

DVIDS (Defense Video Imagery Distribution System) is a state-of-the-art, 24/7 operation that provides a timely, accurate and reliable connection between the media around the world and the military serving worldwide. This article is in the public domain.