Air Force humanitarian team set to depart for Indonesia

  • Published
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  A U.S. Air Force Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team is preparing to depart on two C-17 Globemaster IIIs out of Japan and Guam to provide disaster relief to Indonesia.

Seventy-one Airmen, along with associated supplies and equipment, are scheduled to fly from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Padang, Indonesia. Current plans call for an Oct. 5 arrival in Indonesia, but the schedule is subject to change.

An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck West Sumatra province on Sept. 30, near Padang, and several strong aftershocks have followed, causing major damage and loss of life.

"The HARRT will be an enormous addition to the medical care already being provided by the Indonesian medical professionals," Col. Wayne Pritt, 13th Air Force command surgeon here, said. "We are prepared for the challenges this natural disaster has presented to us, and look forward to providing medical care for those affected by the Indonesian earthquakes."

The Pacific Air Forces' HARRT was developed by 13th Air Force here to provide a rapidly deployable team that provides medical assistance in the event of a natural disaster in the Asia-Pacific region. The team is capable of deploying to a disaster relief site within 24 hours of notification and can setup a fully operational medical facility within six hours of arrival.

The team going to Indonesia is made up of elements from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Andersen AFB; and Yokota AB. It will include a surgical team capable of providing specialized care for those injured by the earthquakes. The team will be able to treat approximately 300 patients a day.

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta has responded to the Indonesian president's statement allowing friendly nations to provide earthquake assistance. Because of the forward deployed presence of the U.S. military and past military-to-military interactions with the Indonesian military, the United States is poised to help as much as possible.

The United States has military capabilities positioned in the affected region that are ready to support emergency relief efforts and minimize human suffering. In addition to the HARRT, U.S. military assets include a Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team, composed of personnel from various units within U.S. Pacific Command, and the USS Denver with Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked.

As is typical in international relief operations, U.S. military efforts are in support of the U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

U.S. Pacific Command will continue to work closely with the Indonesian government, the U.S. Embassy, and international relief organizations of Indonesia on humanitarian assistance operations at the request and invitation of the Indonesian government.