Pakistani, U.S. Officials Mark End of U.S. Military Flood Mission
ISLAMABAD (Dec. 2, 2010) Pakistani and American officials bid farewell to the humanitarian airlift team at a ceremony on Ghazi Aviation Base today after four months of U.S. military flood relief operations in Pakistan.
This operation leaves an indelible mark on the people and the military of Pakistan, Lt. Gen. Asif Yasin Malik, Pakistan Army 11 Corps Commander, said at the ceremony.
Within 36 hours of the flooding, U.S. Air Force C-130 and C-17 aircraft began aid flights on July 31, delivering more than 436,000 halal meals to Pakistanis in flood-affected regions. The U.S. dispatched six Army helicopters from Afghanistan to Ghazi on Aug. 4 to begin emergency relief flights.
The Pakistan Armys 21 Quick Reaction Squadron, its 28 Army Aviation Squadron, Special Support Group, Special Services Support Group and the U.S. 16TH Combat Aviation Brigades Task Force Denali, deployed from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provided more than 25 million pounds (about 11 million kilograms) of relief supplies and transported more than 40,000 people displaced by flooding throughout Pakistan.
U.S. military aircraft from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan and from Navy ships off the coast of Karachi also provided logistical support.
"We are grateful to our American friends who were very helpful. This would not have been possible without you," said Brigadier Sajid Naeem, who heads NDMA Member Operations.
At the request of the Pakistani government, the U.S. military flew its last humanitarian airlift mission Nov. 30.
Let me be honest, whenever we got stuck, whether it was relief or early recovery, we knew we could fall back upon the government of the United States and the people of the United States to get targeted assistance, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Nadeem Ahmed, the NDMA chairman, said at a Dec. 1 ceremony where he received a plaque signifying the friendship between the people of the U.S. and Pakistan.
That is the beauty of the relationship, Nadeem said. Im not really concerned about the dollars provided to the government or the people of Pakistan but look at its impact. It has made the difference. One, it was given at the right time. Second, it was given in the right sector, so there was no hedging with regard to time. When we required it, we got it. If you look at the impact of the relief on the lives of the people, the impact has been phenomenal. By all standards, it has been phenomenal; you can see that all across the country.
The focus in Pakistan is shifting from emergency humanitarian airlift to sustained recovery and reconstruction as road networks become more viable.
This was not the beginning and it was not the end; this is a continuation of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, Asif said.
At todays ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron P. Munter said the U.S. will continue to work in full coordination and cooperation with Pakistans government, and based on the governments assessment of needs for recovery and rebuilding.
In addition to the humanitarian airlift assistance, U.S. monetary aid for flood relief has topped half a billion dollars. With this transition, the U.S. Agency for International Assistance (USAID) and other civilian agencies will continue to provide assistance to flood victims.
Pakistan is an important strategic partner of the United States. We are joined by common values, interests--and by our common humanity. We provide aid to Pakistan not only because we value our relationship but because it is the right thing to do, Munter added.
In opening remarks to the crowd of some 200 Pakistani and U.S. soldiers, Munter also praised the troops for their relief efforts.
Here we stand in the presence of true heroes. I salute the Pakistani and U.S. military forces who have worked tirelessly, shoulder-to-shoulder, under extremely adverse conditions, to help millions of Pakistanis who were affected by this summers devastating floods, he said.
Brig. Gen. Michael Nagata, the U.S. Office of the Defense Representative-Pakistan deputy commander, said American troops responded quickly and worked tirelessly to help our friends in Pakistan. It was a matter of life and death for countless people, and Im incredibly proud of this teams life-saving achievements.
The ceremony was also attended by U.S. Consul General-Peshawar Elizabeth Rood and Michael Whiting, the World Food Programs United Nations Humanitarian Air Service air coordinator.
In closing, Nagata said, We have been honored to partner with the military forces of Pakistan to bring aid and comfort for those in need. The support, camaraderie and spirit of cooperation and shared effort have been extraordinary.
DET- U.S Central Command
CENTCOM
