Airmen offload cargo from a C-17 Globemaster III Nov. 26 at Zia International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A 37-person team from the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, will establish relief supply transload operations in the wake of a Nov. 15 tropical cyclone that devastated much of the southern part of the country. The C-17 and crew are from the 535th Airlift Squadron at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Michael Boyer)
A 37-person team from the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, offload a C-17 Globemaster III Nov. 26 at Zia International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A 13th Air Force-led mission employed the C-17 to bring the 36th CRG Airmen to Bangladesh where they will establish relief supply transload operations in the wake of a Nov. 15 tropical cyclone that devastated much of the southern part of the country. The C-17 and crew are from Hickam AFB, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st. Lt. Michael Boyer)
Three Airmen work to establish a communications system Nov. 26 at Zia International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Airmen are part of a 37-person team from the 36th Contingency Response Group at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and are tasked to establish relief supply transload operations in the wake of a Nov. 15 tropical cyclone that devastated much of the southern part of the country.The 13th Air Force-led mission employed a C-17 Globemaster III from Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to bring the Airmen to Bangladesh. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st. Lt. Michael Boyer)
Members of a 37-person team from the 36th Contingency Response Group, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, help offload a C-17 from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, at Zia International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Nov. 26. A 13th Air Force-led mission employed the C-17 to bring the CRG to Bangladesh, where they will establish relief supply transload operations in the wake of a Nov. 15 tropical cyclone which devastated much of the southern part of the country. (U.S. Air Force photo / 1st. Lt. Michael Boyer)
11/27/2007 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Pacific Air Forces units are providing relief in Bangladesh in the wake of a tropical cyclone which struck the nation's south coast Nov. 15 causing significant damage and thousands of casualties.
Elements of the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, arrived at Dhaka, Bangladesh, Nov. 24, as part of the U.S. military assistance to the Government of Bangladesh's relief operations. The contingent, which was forward deployed to U Taphao, Thailand, Nov. 17, has established command and control and airfield operations at Dhaka. A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing began flying relief supplies, including water, food, blankets, tents and clothes, from Dhaka to Barisal, Bangladesh, today. From Barisal, relief supplies are being distributed throughout the stricken nation by U.S. Marine Corps helicopters. Currently, there are an estimated 160 short tons of relief supplies at Dhaka that are scheduled to be flown to Barisal over the next five days.
In anticipation of a higher headquarters tasking to support possible U.S. military relief operations in support of the Government of Bangladesh, 36th CRG members and equipment were prepositioned at U Taphao, Thailand.
After receiving the formal request for U.S. military assistance from the Government of Bangladesh, Pacific Air Forces, under the lead of 13th Air Force, established an air shuttle between Zia International Airport, Dhaka, and Barisal. One 374th Airlift Wing C-130 from Yokota Air Base, Japan, is currently at Dhaka and a second 374th AW C-130 is en route with a C-130 maintenance team from Yokota. Additionally, two C-17s assigned to Hickam's 15th Airlift Wing have flown personnel, equipment and relief supplies from Hickam and Andersen AFB to U Taphao and Dhaka.
The U.S. military deployment is part of a larger United States response to the Government of Bangladesh's request for humanitarian assistance. This effort is coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development.
