Additional U.S. Helicopters Arrive for Relief Ops, U.S. Cargo Planes Deliver Aid

Rawalpindi, August 18, 2010 - A U.S. Air Force loadmaster guides a forklift carrying international aid destined for Pakistani flood victims onto a U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala.

August 18, 2010

Islamabad - Four more U.S. Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters arrived today as part of the continued U.S. humanitarian assistance in support of flood relief from the monsoon floods.  The four helicopters are part of the contingent of 19 helicopters ordered to Pakistan last week by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.  They bring to 15 the total number of U.S. military helicopters in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps helicopters at Ghazi Air Base, Pakistan, continued relief operations today in Swat Valley, while U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft based in Afghanistan transported international aid from the Pakistan Air Force's Central Flood Relief Cell at Chaklala Air Force Base to Sukkur, Pakistan.

To date, U.S. military helicopters conducting relief operations in partnership with the Pakistan military have rescued more than 4,800 people and transported more than 600,000 pounds of relief supplies, while U.S. military cargo aircraft have transported more than 194,000 pounds of relief supplies.

The United States responded immediately and generously to Pakistan's call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that began July 29.  The total U.S. pledged and in-kind contribution to date is approximately $90 million. Support includes both financial assistance and the immediate provision of urgently needed supplies and services, drawing on unique U.S. capabilities and resources.