ARLINGTON, Va. — An Air Force C-17 transport squadron deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is flying humanitarian supplies to Cyprus in support of the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Lebanon.

The 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, which is stationed at an “undisclosed forward location in Southwest Asia,” began flying to Cyprus on July 16, according to a Friday press release from U.S. Central Command.

The 816th EAS, which is the Air Force’s designation for the 17th Airlift Squadron from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., during its deployment, began bringing water, Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs) and “essential personnel and equipment” to Royal Air Force Base Akrotiri, where U.S. Navy Seabees are building a temporary camp for the displaced Americans, the release said.

In the first four days of its mission, crewmembers flew 23 sorties, and transported nearly 200 Seabees and other passengers and 500 tons of humanitarian supplies, the release said.

The squadronis assigned about a dozen C-17s, which it normally uses to airlift troops and airdrop supplies throughout the theater in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, the release said.

Although the squadron frequently moves mission-essential wartime supplies in very dangerous combat zones, pallets of such pedestrian items as MREs and water are no less vital, Airman 1st Class James Davis, a loadmaster, said in the release.

“When it is food and water, it may not seem as important as some other supplies, but it’s very important if you’re the one who needs it,” Davis said. “People in trouble are the same regardless of the country.”