U.S. Airmen Deploy to Pakistan to Assist With Flood Relief
By Headquarters United States Central Command
Aug 30, 2010 - 9:14:21 PM
Blackanthem Military News
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Approximately 40 airmen from the U.S. Air Force's 621st Contingency Response Wing arrived in Pakistan Saturday to support Pakistan's flood relief operations.
The U.S. Air Force personnel will work at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala, Rawalpindi, in partnership with Pakistani government and military officials to support humanitarian airlift operations delivering relief supplies to required locations throughout Pakistan.
This is the second time CRW personnel have deployed to Pakistan, providing similar support during the 2005 earthquake relief operations. The unit is based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
"Our mission will be to work in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan to help provide humanitarian relief supplies and equipment that meet the requirements identified by assessment teams and humanitarian organizations," said Lt. Col. Shawn Underwood, 621st Contingency Response Element commander. "We've supported the people of Pakistan before and the support and aid we provide to our friends in this time of need will be nothing less."
This is the latest in a series of deployments in response to Pakistan's urgent request for flood-relief assistance.
To date, U.S. military aircraft supporting flood-relief efforts in Pakistan have transported more than 2.7 million pounds of humanitarian assistance supplies and rescued more than 9,000 people within Pakistan, delivering much-needed aid and providing transport to people who urgently need emergency assistance.