Savannah-based Nine Line Apparel has teamed up with the 165th Airlift Wing to honor the nine airmen killed in the Port Wentworth plane crash on May 2.

The two organizations partnered to raise funds for the families of the nine airmen.

“In times of tragedy, this is what we do,” said Nine Line CEO, CPT Tyler Merritt. “We come together, and we raise funds and awareness for those affected. We do whatever we can to alleviate their pain, and show our support.”

The 165th and 156th are considered sister units, and members of the 165th reached out to Nine Line immediately following the crash to see what the apparel company could do to help, he said.

Nine Line will be launching a collaborative fundraising design on their website on Wednesday, May 9th, titled “156th Air Wing”. The design will be on sale for two weeks, then will be printed and shipped no later than May 20th.

“The artwork is a combination of the unit patches for both [the 156th and 165th] Wings,” said E4 Senior Airman Joey Lupica of the 165th, who initially contacted Nine Line to establish the fundraising effort. “It is an artistic attempt to show the unity between the two units during a tie where we need to stand together.”

Al sale proceeds of the design will go through the 165th Airlift Wing Veterans Association to be disbursed to the families of the victims.