ISLAMABAD, March 21: The chairman, United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, on Tuesday announced the conclusion of the longest-ever US military disaster relief operations in Pakistan. The announcement formally came at a press conference amidst strict security measures at the Islamabad Heliport.
The conference was held after the four-star general had visited the earthquake-affected areas of Pakistan. He was accompanied by Director Federal Relief Commission Maj Gen Farooq Ahmad Khan and Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, Commander, US Disaster Assistance Centre.
The visit gave General Peter Pace the opportunity to review the US Disaster Assistance Centre efforts and accomplishments.
At the press conference, General Pace praised relief efforts, citing how both the US and Pakistani forces came together as one team, saving hundreds of thousands of lives, making the impossible possible.
He said: “I have come to listen and learn about ways the US helped Pakistan in times of need, and wanted to see the incredible work done in response to the earthquake. Major Gen Farooq had been assigned a daunting task of leading Pakistan’s relief missions. Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, who headed the US Disaster Centre, and Gen Farooq are the two men our countries will be proud of.”
He said: “Examples of friendship between the US and Pakistan can be found in history. After 9/11 my country was struck by terrorists, Pakistan came to aid. Pakistani leaders have had to make difficult decisions in the war against terror. It was natural to help Pakistan in the biggest natural disaster,” Gen Pace said.
According to General Pace, the lasting legacy of Operation Lifeline lied in the friendships the relief operation created between US forces and the Pakistani people.
Major Gen Farooq said that the 1st visit by Gen Pace reaffirmed the long-term friendship between Pakistan and the US.
“The massive devastation could not have been managed without international assistance. The US Chinooks became a symbol of hope for tens and thousands of quake victims. The American engineers and doctors did a commendable job. It shall be remembered forever,” he said.
He said that the tragedy united 88 nations and some 200 NGOs and with the unprecedented assistance by the world community relief efforts were moving into the reconstruction phase.
Gen Farooq was asked about the experiences the Pakistan Army helicopter pilots had flying in no-fly zones along the Pakistan-India border, to which he said: “We have taken risks before. There was no trouble from the other side but complete cooperation.”
Rear Admiral Michael LeFever said that it had been a privilege helping Pakistan with the relief work. He said that he would be taking back great memories. “The incredible coordination between the Pakistan government and military and the US was the most important lesson learnt,” he said.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker also addressed the media outlining how the United States approached the relief effort.
“The US will spend $200 million in the next several years to build back better and restore and improve lives. You will see schools and health centres coming up,” Mr Crocker said.
During the helicopter flight, the chairman visited the last US forces at the Muzaffarabad airport rapid refuelling station. Approximately 40 soldiers and marines were currently manning it. Early next week the fuelling facility will be turned over to the Pakistan military. To date, the United States has supplied over one million gallons of fuel to the relief and reconstruction airlift effort.
Since arriving in Pakistan 48 hours after the earthquake, US forces flew over 5,000 relief sorties, delivered over 15,000 tons of relief supplies, treated over 30,000 patients, vaccinated over 20,000 Pakistanis and cleared over 40,000 tons of debris.
Currently, fewer than 200 American servicemen and women are in Pakistan supporting earthquake efforts. On 31st March, all US military forces will leave Pakistan as CH-47 Chinooks will cease flight operations and be reassigned to other missions.
