US military relief efforts in Pakistan

I've had several posts detailing the relief work done by the military after Hurricane Rita. The US military is also performing relief work in Pakistan after the devastating earthquake, and I wanted to highlight these efforts as well. (Not bad, huh, the US helping out those Muslim people. Think it will buy us any goodwill among the terrorists? Naaaaaaaah.)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STATEMENT ON SOUTH ASIAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORTS - Oct 11

The Department of Defense today announced that Navy Rear Admiral Michael Lefever has been designated to establish a Humanitarian Coordination Center in Islamabad, Pakistan. RDML Lefever will coordinate Defense Department support to the State Department, other U.S. government agencies, and the Pakistan government in response to the earthquake that struck South Asia on Saturday.
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The immediate Defense Department assistance has flowed into Pakistan from throughout the region, including 12 pallets of food and medicine from U.S. supplies in Qatar and Kuwait, and heavy lift and supply helicopters from Bahrain and Afghanistan. Additional C-17s with more support and equipment are scheduled to arrive October 11.

U.S. SUPPORTS PAKISTAN LED EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY - Oct 11

On Tuesday, the eight U.S. helicopters ferried 228 passengers and more than 32,000 pounds of much-needed supplies to forward supply centers where the Pakistan military further pushed the aid to their people in need.

Four Afghanistan MI-17 helicopters arrived in Pakistan Tuesday to join the recovery efforts. Both the Afghan and U.S. helicopters are diverted from missions in the Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan area of Afghanistan. However, military officials said the support to the earthquake recovery would have no impact on current combat operations.

LEFEVER NAMED DISASTER ASSISTANCE CENTER COORDINATOR - Oct 12

Four Navy helicopters from U.S. Navy Central Command are en route to provide additional heavy lift support. The four helicopters include two Navy MH-53E Sea Dragons, which are en route and expected to arrive Oct. 12, and two MH-60 SeaHawks, which are in the process of being moved. Elements of ESG-1, amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1), amphibious transport dock USS Cleveland (LPD-7), and guided missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG-61) are heading towards the Pakistani coast to be in a better position to provide additional support, if requested.

"We will do everything within our power to bring aid to the people of Pakistan," said Rear Adm. LeFever. "We stand ready to provide food, water, medicine and medical personnel into the areas that need it most. We also will work as an enabler with the non-governmental relief organizations, getting where they need to go to support the Pakistani people back on the road to recovery."

ESG-1 also boasts a robust medical capability. Fleet Surgical Team Three (FST-3) is embarked, along with medical personnel from the three ships, and the 13th MEU(SOC). All told, more than 100 trained medical personnel can be employed, with the range of capabilities covering everything from first aid to anesthesia and surgical support.

CJTF-76 HELICOPTERS ASSIST THOUSANDS IN PAKISTAN - Oct 13

More than 65 sorties have been flown in support of earthquake relief efforts in Islamabad, Pakistan since the arrival of five CH-47 Chinook and three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the Combined Joint Task Force-76 Monday.

The sorties carried more than 1,300 personnel and more than 155,000 pounds of relief supplies.

The missions have ferried relief and rescue workers to remote areas near Islamabad. They have also airlifted personnel injured and displaced by the quake to medical facilities or to safer areas where shelter, food, and medical care are available.
The bulk of the 155,000 pounds of relief supplies has consisted of food, water, medical supplies and life support items such as blankets, stoves and tools.

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AIR FORCES SUPPORT PAKISTAN AID - Oct 13

Four U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemasters and two C-130 Hercules aircraft transported more than 408,000 pounds, including more than 60 pallets loaded with supplies like tents, cots and meals-ready-to-eat. Additional cargo included vehicles, temporary basing supplies, and command and control equipment to aid in coordination efforts as the United States continues to airlift aid in response to requests from Pakistan’s government.

AFGHANISTAN ENGINEER DISTRICT TEAM HEADS FOR PAKISTAN - Oct 13

The team, composed of engineering specialists in structural engineering, public works and emergency response, received alert notification Wednesday and immediately began preparations for the deployment to include safety briefings and what to expect once in Pakistan . The AED team will assess needs from an engineering perspective and recommend if reach back support from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is required.

Here is a series of photos highlighting the Pakistan relief effort.

Here is a photo essay about Pakistan relief efforts.

Once again, a sincere thank you to our great military for the amazing work they do.

Let me remind you of a couple of quotes from Harold Pinter, this year's Nobel Prize winner in Literature.

The United States is "the most dangerous power the world has ever known."
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The United States is a monster out of control... The country is run by a bunch of criminal lunatics...

Ya wanna rethink that, Harold? No, I didn't think you would.