ISLAMABAD (Sept. 7, 2010) — The first two of four additional U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters arrived at Pano Aqil Air Base near Sukkur, Pakistan, today as part of the continued U.S. humanitarian assistance to Pakistan in support of flood relief.  This brings to six the number of U.S. military helicopters currently operating out of Pano Aqil.

The aircraft are part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.  The incoming aircraft were delivered via U.S. Air Force cargo aircraft to a U.S. base in Afghanistan, reassembled, and then flown to Pano Aqil today.  They join 17 other U.S. Navy and Marine Corps helicopters already in Pakistan supporting flood relief efforts. Two more CH-53E helicopters are scheduled to arrive in the coming days.

The U.S. helicopters will operate in partnership with the Pakistan military throughout the country’s flood-affected areas.

To date, U.S. military aircraft supporting flood-relief efforts in Pakistan have transported more than 3.9 million pounds of humanitarian assistance supplies and rescued more than 12,000 people within Pakistan, delivering aid and providing transport to people who urgently need emergency assistance.

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