U.S. airlift aids Pakistan's war-torn Swat Valley

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U.S. airlift aids Pakistan's war-torn Swat Valley
The speed with which this mission came together
attests to the rapid, global mobility assets
available for wartime and humanitarian missions.
Capt. Ryan Theiss
Story by SSgt. Stacia Zachary /Photo by SSgt.
Shawn Weismiller CHAKLALA, Pakistan  --  In
response to specific requests for support from
the Government of Pakistan, the Department of
Defense has arranged for the rapid delivery of
humanitarian assistance to aid in caring for the
estimated 1.7 million Pakistanis displaced by
current military operations against violent
extremists in the country's northwestern
provinces. 
This initial request for DOD support, which
included 120,000 pre-packaged halal meals,
environmentally controlled tents, electrical
generators, water trucks and other items, is in
addition to food, logistical support and funding
that totaled 110 million that was provided by
the American people through the U.S. State
Department and USAID.  In just a few days,
the humanitarian mission was set in motion
calling for a rapid assembly of aircraft, air
crews, supplies and logistics coordination. 
"The speed with which this mission came together
attests to the rapid, global mobility assets
available for wartime and humanitarian missions,"
said Capt. Ryan Theiss, a C-17 Globemaster pilot
deployed from the 3rd Airlift Squadron, Dover Air
Force Base, Del. "Without airlift, humanitarian
relief wouldn't be possible."  The emergency
humanitarian aid brought Halal food packages and
tents to help compensate for the loss people are
experiencing due to the chaos created by the
region's conflict.  With continuous
training, the crews are well suited to working
quickly and in austere conditions. 
Pakistani ground crew personnel assist the
unloading of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster
III cargo plane at Chaklala Air Base, Pakistan,
May 20.