KADENA AIR BASE, Japan –
U.S. Pacific Command deployed a Joint
Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team to Nepal from Kadena Air Base early April
29 in an effort to assist earthquake relief efforts.
Kadena’s Airmen worked through the night to
load the team’s 20-plus members and gear into a United States Marine Corps
C-130 for the departure.
The joint survey team will support a USAID
Office of Disaster Assistance Response Team in Nepal, according to PACOM
officials. Marine Brig. Gen. Paul
Kennedy, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Battalion, will
lead the team.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Glenn Rineheart, commander
of the 36th Mobility Readiness Squadron on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam,
deployed as a team member.
“The U.S. Air Force's role is to expedite the
arrival of aid and responders into Nepal by using strategic and inter-theater
airlifts," Rineheart said.
The massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal
on April 25. The death toll has soared to nearly 5,000, with thousands more
injured.
The Air Force had already sent two C-17
Globemaster III aircraft from the United States to support relief operations.
The first C-17 delivered 70 personnel,
including a USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team, the Fairfax County Urban
Search and Rescue Team, and 45 square tons of cargo, to assist relief
operations. The second C-17 carried
approximately 50 passengers, including a Los Angeles-based urban search and
rescue team, working dogs and additional relief supplies.
Air Force senior leaders have lauded the
initial efforts.
“Whenever and wherever our Air Force is
needed, Airmen are ready to answer the call,” said Secretary of the Air Force
Deborah Lee James. “Our Airmen are proud to deliver critical humanitarian
relief and comfort to others during a time of need."
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh
III echoed those sentiments.
“With humanitarian relief operations, there
is always a tremendous spirit of cooperation and support,” Welsh said. “The Air
Force is able to use its global reach and partner with other agencies to
deliver timely assistance. Our Airmen continue to make me proud.”