In the days after the March 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill , the 144th flew many sorties delivering oil containment booms , supplies and emergency personnel to Valdez . Air Guard members remained in place in various support roles even after the actual airlift was handed over to civilian contractors . In particular , firefighters from the 176 Civil Engineer Squadron provided crash response and fire protection for the Valdez airport , where traffic had increased from 14 or so flights per day to well over 400
Exxon Valdez oil spill
Exxon Valdez oil spill
176th Wing