The Department of the Army announced today forces deploying as part of the Combined Support Force for the Tsunami disaster relief effort.

U.S. Army, Pacific is providing a variety of specialists to U.S. Pacific Command including crisis planners, both in Hawaii and in Thailand.

Forces Command is deploying 4 mortuary affairs teams from Fort Lee, VA. The teams provide tailored disaster response for mass casualty incidents anywhere in the world and will help with, identification, processing, and evacuation of deceased.

8th U.S. Army in Korea is deploying medical and logistics units, including CH-47 Chinook helicopters. These units will provide medical treatment, evacuation and supply distribution capabilities.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is deploying three Forward Engineering Support Teams, from Japan, Alaska and Little Rock, Arkansas. Each FEST consist of: 1 military team leader, 1 Civil Engineer, 1 Structural Engineer, 1 Geo-technical Engineer, and two electric power generation engineers. These teams will assist with infrastructure assessment and reconstruction planning.

US Army Special Operations Command, Ft. Bragg, NC is deploying 3 civil affairs teams and 1 Psychological Operations assessment team. The CA teams consist of one planning team and two CA teams for coordinating relief efforts. The PSYOP assessment team with its broadcast and production capabilities will focus on information distribution in concert with local officials and relief organizations in the region.

The Army is part of a joint and combined expeditionary force deploying from around the globe to support this disaster relief effort. U.S. Army, Pacific is the lead coordinating command for Army support to the CSF.

For more information contact: Lt. Col. Christopher Rodney at 703-697-3491, christopher.rodney@hqda.army.mil, or Mary Markovinovic (USARPAC) at 808-438-2662, markovinovicm@shafter.army.mil . For FORSCOM Units contact Maj. Nate Flegler at 404-464-7311. For 8th U.S. Army units contact LTC Budzyna, at Thomas.budzyna@korea.army.mil . For USACE units contact Lt. Col Stan Heath at 202-761-0014. For specific information USASOC units contact Lt. Col. Hans Bush at 910-432-6005.