INDIANAPOLIS — Operation Fly Formula's first shipment of 78,000 pounds of specialty infant formula arrived at the Indianapolis International Airport Sunday morning.
A plane from Ramstein Air Base in Germany brought the formula.
President Joe Biden launched Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible.
According to the White House, this formula will be distributed to doctor's offices and pharmacies but not store shelves.
New: Baby formula being unloaded @INDairport @wrtv @MhacklerTV pic.twitter.com/fNbsPvjApm
— Rafael Sánchez (@RafaelOnTV) May 22, 2022
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is also in Indianapolis. He spoke on the tarmac shortly after the plane landed and said the shipment should help around 9,000 babies.
The shipment was taken off of the cargo plane and loaded onto FedEx trucks before being taken to a Nestle distribution center.
Then, the formula will be delivered to hospitals and home healthcare clinics across the country.
Sources tell WRTV's Rafael Sanchez that Indianapolis was chosen for the shipment partially because of IND's distribution capabilities. The airport also has a navigation system the military can use.
In total, the Operation shipments will transport the equivalent of up to 1.5 million 8 oz. bottles of three formulas — Alfamino Infant, Alfamino Junior, and Gerber Good Start Extensive HA.
Folks, I’m excited to tell you that the first flight from Operation Fly Formula is loaded up with more than 70,000 pounds of infant formula and about to land in Indiana.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 22, 2022
Our team is working around the clock to get safe formula to everyone who needs it. pic.twitter.com/cX4KU0eDtZ
Each of these formulas is a hypoallergenic formula for children.
Additional flights are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Michelle Kaufman and Meredith Hackler at WRTV first reported this story.
