Since 12-30-04
U.S. Military Support to Tsunami Relief Efforts
Since 12-30-04
From: Waspscpo@aol.com
[mailto:Waspscpo@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2004 4:18 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: U.S. Military Support to Tsunami Relief Efforts
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20041228-1905.html
No. 1325-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 2004
U.S. Military Support to Tsunami Relief Efforts
U.S. Pacific Command is sending a forward command element (FCE) to Utapao,
Thailand, to establish the command, control and communication structure for
Joint Task Force 536 (JTF 536).
Thailand's decision to allow use of this Thai military facility is welcomed.
The U.S. intends to use, with Thailand's cooperation, this military facility as
a regional support center for emergency and medical personnel providing
assistance throughout the region as well as a staging area for U.S. military and
rescue aircraft, forensic experts, and other relief assistance.
The FCE and follow-on JTF will coordinate U.S. military relief efforts in the region. The FCE and JTF will work with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, host nations and humanitarian relief agencies to identify requirements and coordinate relief efforts.
The focus of the mission will be to prevent further loss of life and human suffering by expeditiously applying resources to the overall relief effort. The FCE team is comprised mainly of personnel from the III Marine Expeditionary Force. Additional personnel will be deployed from other locations in the Pacific command area of responsibility.
'U.S.
military relief efforts include:
U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft in Yokota, Japan, loaded with relief
supplies are expected to deploy to Utapao, Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.
U.S. Navy deployed P-3 aircraft from Kadena, Japan, to operate in the vicinity
of Thailand with Utapao, Royal Thai Air Force Base, serving as a hub for
operations.
Other forces enroute to the region that could be committed to relief efforts, if
necessary, include USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, including USS Shoup,
USS Shiloh, USS Benfold, and USNS Ranier and USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary
Strike Group, including USS Duluth, USS Milius, USS Rushmore, USS Thach, USS
Pasadena and USCG Munro.
U.S. Air Force will deploy KC-135 aircraft from Japan and Guam to provide
assistance as directed.
U.S. military exercises often include training for humanitarian assistance. This humanitarian assistance training helps ensure the U.S. military is able to rapidly respond as directed to support relief efforts.
The Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command will continue to review resources
available and direct forces as necessary to provide authorized humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief to affected nations in the region.
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Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)