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Operation Caring Response

Making landfall on 2 May 2008, Tropical Cyclone Nargis caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Burma (Myanmar). The cyclone caused catastrophic destruction and at least 130,000 fatalities with thousands more people missing. Years afterwards, many affected areas were still experiencing the effects of the disaster.

In response, the United States launched Operation Caring Response, a humanitarian assistance / disaster relief operation led by Joint Task Force Caring Response.

US Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft loaded with emergency relief supplies touched down at Burma's Rangoon International Airport on 12 May 2008 in support of national disaster relief efforts. Additionally, 45 members of the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, helped open and operate airfields to facilitate additional relief operations. During Operation Caring Response, Air Mobility Command aircraft flew 63 C-130 missions into the country, delivering more than 1.1 million pounds of relief supplies.

On 13 May 2008, USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) arrived at a position off the coast of Burma. Burma's ruling military junta repeatedly rebuffed offers of assistance from the Essex ARG and 31st MEU to help with disaster relief. By 12 May 2008, the Marine Corps also had 4 KC-130J aircraft in Bangkok, Thailand and the Air Force had 6 C-130s in Utapao and Korat, also Thailand, ready to support Operation Caring Response. In addition, the 36th Contingency Support Group, based in Guam, was preparing to provide a water purification unit and 2 airfield opening and operating teams to the region. These assets already were in the region for Exercise Cobra Gold 2008, a annual US-Thai humanitarian- and civil-assistance exercise.

On 5 June 2008, after at least 15 attempts to convince the Burmese government to allow our ships, helicopters, and landing craft to provide additional disaster relief for the people of Burma, the US Secretary of Defense approved the recommendation from the head of US Pacific Command that the Essex ARG and 31st MEU continue with their previously scheduled operational commitments. Despite the departure of the Essex ARG and 31st MEU, the United States continued to offer humanitarian assistance to the Burmese authorities.