U.S. Marines Respond to Pakistan Floods

The United States military is part of an international effort to provide relief services to the victims of the massive flooding now taking place in Pakistan. Helicopters from the U.S. Army have been flying out of the Pakistani airbase at Ghazi and are now being joined by the air element of the 15^th Marine Expeditionary Unit on the U.S.S. Peleliu. The U.S. Army was able to send four CH-47 Chinooks and two UH-60 Black Hawks to the area from Afghanistan. The effort has also delivered hundreds of thousands of prepared meals, conforming to Islamic dietary laws, to the flood victims.

The U.S. assistance began July 31, with a C-130 delivery of prepared meals. Water purification units and prefabricated steel bridges are a part of the additional aid brought in by the military.

Aid flights and the operations of the helicopters has been affected by the weather. As of August 13, Brig. Gen. Michael Nagata told reporters that there had been only four days with flying weather. Nagata is the commander of the U.S. military task force providing aid to Pakistan in this emergency.

The General stressed that all operations and all personnel are there at the request of the Pakistani government. There are no plans to land any of the ground element of the 15^th MEU, and any U.S. military being brought in to the country are there to support the relief efforts in the air.

BG Nagata stressed the high degree of support and assistance that the Pakistani military has been giving the American effort. While there is a security threat for Americans in the country, he has seen no overt signs of any threat and the Pakistanis are taking effective measures to safeguard the relief mission.

The United States government has pledged $76 million to the relief effort through August 12. This includes shelter plastic, Zodiac boats, a large generator and other diverse equipment and materials.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, while also affected by the flooding, has sent its own assistance to Pakistan. Four Mi-17 helicopters with all Afghan crews are operating in country, assisting the Pakistanis.

International estimates put the death toll from the flooding at at least 1,600 people. Over two million are homeless. The monsoon season in Pakistan is expected to last another three weeks.