U.S. Military Planes Fly Disaster Relief to China's Earthquake Zone

Original Sources: CNN, The Virginia Pilot and Star Bulletin

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The Department of Defense has delivered critically needed relief supplies to the earthquake-stricken Sichuan province, the Pentagon said Sunday. The two C-17 Globemaster aircraft carried food, water containers, blankets, generators, lanterns and various hand tools. U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft from Elemendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii are making the flights directly to the airport at Chengdu, the largest city in Sichuan, officials reported.

Senior Capt. Guan Youfei, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense and Army Brig. Gen. Charles W. Hooper, the U.S. military attache in Beijing, greeted the first of two U.S. aircrews delivering earthquake relief supplies to China.

The People's Republic of China sent more than $5 million in aid to the United States following Hurricane Katrina in September 2005.

More than 32,000 people are known dead from the 7.9 quake that hit May 12. About 250,000 are hurt, according to Chinese government releases. Thousands remain missing and are feared dead under the rubble.

So far, almost 60 aid organizations from 13 countries have provided assistance to China in the aftermath of the quake. Among the countries are India, France, Singapore, the Philippines and the United States. "This is a mission about people helping people, simply that. It's reaching out to them in their greatest time of need," said Col. Joe Kim, vice commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing.

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Photos Courtesy of AFP and Chris Vadnais | Air Force