Military

Coalition Sending Helicopters, Crews to Aid Earthquake Recovery

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2005 – Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, at the request of Pakistan's government, will send U.S. Army helicopters and support personnel to Pakistan to help with emergency recovery operations in the wake of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck south Asia Oct. 8, coalition military officials here announced today.

Following Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's statement of support for relief, recovery and rescue operations, five CH-47 Chinook helicopters and three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with their associated crews should arrive in Pakistan on Oct. 10, CFC-A officials said. They will provide rescue, recovery and logistics assistance.

CFC-A officials are in contact with the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad to provide planning assistance and technical guidance as required.

A CFC-A statement announcing the support emphasized the earthquake relief operations would not degrade the coalition's operations in the global war on terror.

News reports place the earthquake's death toll between 20,000 and 30,000.

(From a Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news release.)

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2005/20051009_2986.html