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U.S. military aircraft reach flood relief milestone

By U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan

A group of local men filed onto the flightline to assist the Marines in offloading the hundreds of bags of flour aboard a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 352nd VMGR after arriving at Gilgit Air Base, Pakistan, on Sept. 8, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

ISLAMABAD (Sept. 13, 2010) — U.S. military aircraft supporting Pakistan's flood relief efforts achieved a significant milestone Sept. 11, exceeding five million pounds of relief supplies delivered since Aug. 5, when U.S. military relief flight operations in Pakistan began.

To date, U.S. military helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, working in close partnership with the Pakistan military, have transported more than 5,400,000 pounds of relief supplies and rescued more than 13,000 people, delivering much-needed aid and providing transport to people who urgently need emergency assistance.

Within hours of receiving the Government of Pakistan's urgent request, U.S. military helicopters began conducting relief flights Aug. 5 and have since transported more than 3,000,000 pounds of aid. The 15^th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 16^th Combat Aviation Brigade are currently providing 30 helicopters to support relief operations. There are currently 18 helicopters operating out of Ghazi Airbase in northern Pakistan, 8 helicopters operating out of Pano Aqil Air Base in southern Pakistan, and 4 helicopters at Chaklala Airbase being prepared for follow on missions.

Meanwhile, U.S. military C-130 and C-17 cargo aircraft have also been providing airlift support to Pakistan. The C-17, the second largest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory, has the capacity to carry 90,000 pounds of supplies. Together with United States Marine Corps and Air Force C-130s these aircraft have delivered more than 2,000,000 pounds of relief supplies to multiple locations throughout the country, to include Skardu, Quetta, Jacobabad, Sharea Faisal and Gilgit.

Flood relief support to Pakistan from the United States is being provided through a whole of U.S. government, interagency response. Relief efforts are being coordinated through the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, in full consultation with the Pakistan government, including Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other agencies.

For the latest high-resolution photos of U.S. relief efforts, please visit the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System at http://www.dvidshub.net/tags/image/pakflood10.