NEW: USS Essex Group/31 MEU Prepare to Resume Previous Operational Schedule
U.S. Pacific Command Press Release, June 3, 2008
CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii -- The USS Essex group has been positioned off the coast of Burma since May 13th ready and able to deliver urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the victims of Cyclone Nargis, but Burma's ruling military junta has repeatedly rebuffed our offers to help.

Gates: Navy Ships Could Leave Burma Coast ‘Within Days’
Amercian Forces Press Service, June 1, 2008
SINGAPORE, June 1, 2008 – The United States likely will decide “within days” to move four U.S. Navy ships that have been waiting off the coast of Burma for permission from the country’s ruling military junta to provide help to cyclone-stricken residents, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.

US Not Sure Aid Reaching Burmese Victims, May Remove Ships
Voice of America, May 28, 2008
WASHINGTON -- Admiral Timothy Keating says after 70 U.S. military relief flights from Thailand into Rangoon, carrying some 370 metric tons of supplies, he can not say for sure whether the aid is being distributed to the area devastated by a cyclone early this month.

US Relief Supplies, Troops Wait Offshore as Burma Rebuffs American Overture
Voice of America, May 22, 2008
OFF THE COAST OF BURMA -- Burma is refusing deliveries of humanitarian aid from U.S. Navy ships, standing by off the Burmese coast. Washington's offer to help victims of Cyclone Nargis highlights the U.S. military's wider efforts to employ "soft power" in the region - something the Burmese junta views with suspicion. On board the ships, American sailors and Marines express frustration over not being able to help. VOA Southeast Asia Correspondent Luis Ramirez was aboard two of the ships and has this report.

U.S. Embassy to Thailand Press Release
U.S. Emabassy Thailand, May 16, 2008
BANGKOK, May 16, 2008 – The United States Embassy to Thailand released an update to the humanitarian relief efforts for victims of Cyclone Nargis.

Five More Flights Deliver Relief to Burma
American Forces Press Service, May 15, 2008
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2008 – The United States sent another five military aircraft loaded with relief supplies to Burma today, and looks forward to the opportunity to send more, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today.

PACOM Commander Accompanies Burmese Relief Mission, Appeals To Allow More Aid
American Forces Press Service, May 13, 2008
WASHINGTON, May 13, 2008 – The top U.S. officer in the Pacific accompanied the first U.S. relief flight into Burma, delivering the desperately needed supplies and personal appeals to the ruling junta and the prime minister to allow more help.

First of Three Planned U.S. Relief Flights Brings Aid to Burma
American Forces Press Service, May 12, 2008
WASHINGTON, May 12, 2008 – The first U.S. military plane loaded with relief supplies arrived in Burma today as members of Joint Task Force Caring Response prepared to dispatch two more relief flights to the cyclone-stricken region.

First U.S. Air Force C-130 Cargo Plane Provides Humanitarian Assistance to Burma
U.S. Pacific Command, May 11, 2008
CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii – A U.S. military C-130 aircraft loaded with emergency relief supplies departed Utapao Thai Royal Navy Air Base, Thailand at 12:45 p.m. (local) for Rangoon International Airport, Burma in support of national disaster relief efforts following Tropical Cyclone Nagris that recently swept through Burma.

Marines, Sailors Prepare for Possible Operations in Burma
American Forces Press Service, May 11, 2008
USS ESSEX, At Sea (May 11, 2008) - Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Readiness Group are preparing for possible humanitarian assistance operations to aid cyclone-stricken Burma.

USS Essex Performs Surgery at Sea
USS Essex Public Affairs, May 11, 2008
USS ESSEX, At Sea (May 10, 2008) - Fleet Surgical Team Seven (FST 7) performed an out patent surgical procedure on a Marine onboard the forward-deployed amphibious ship USS Essex (LHD 2) while at sea, March 10.

Air Force units poised to support Pacific disaster relief
Air Force Print News , May 9, 2008
WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force assets are in place at Utaphao Air Base, Thailand, to support a potential relief mission in [Burma].

Essex Prepares For Possible Relief Aid
USS Essex Public Affairs, May 10, 2008
USS ESSEX, At sea -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) set the sea and anchor detail early morning May 9 and began its transit for possible humanitarian assistance tasking in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.

Burma Allows One U.S. C-130 to Deliver Relief Supplies
Armed Forces Press Service, May 9, 2008
WASHINGTON, May 9, 2008 – Burmese officials have given permission for an Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft to deliver supplies to Rangoon on May 12, White House officials said here.

Gates: U.S. Military Ready to Help, Ships, Air Support Staged
Armed Forces Press Service, May 8, 2008
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2008 – The tragedy following a devastating cyclone in Burma is compounded by the fact that the U.S. military and others are ready to help, but can’t without the ruling military junta’s approval, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. (Transcript)

US Military Prepares for Burma Relief Mission, Awaits Request from Rangoon

Voice of America, May 7, 2008