C-130 delivers medical team to Iraq

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Rick Burnham
  • Air Force Print News
Some aircraft credited with delivering overwhelming military capability to coalition forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom are now distributing food, supplies and medical care to the people of Iraq, officials said April 16.

One of the latest examples was the transport of a specialized medical team to an airfield southeast of Baghdad, said Army Brig. Gen. Vincent, deputy director of operations. Brooks spoke to reporters during the daily press briefing at U.S. Central Command's forward headquarters in Qatar.

"Medical care and public health are areas seeing coalition focus," he said. "For example, three pallets of medical supplies and 17 health professionals, including four doctors, arrived at Salman Pak via coalition C-130 Hercules aircraft and were transported by ground to the main medical complex in Baghdad."

Medical supplies are also being flown into Baghdad International Airport, Brooks said.

"Baghdad International Airport is a very busy place, with military support activity, but also with the flow of humanitarian supplies. Multiple short tons of humanitarian assistance, mostly medical supplies, are flowing into Baghdad International and being pushed out to the Iraqi people for use," he said.

Brooks said a number of civilians require medical treatment throughout the country, and that coalition forces are committed to providing as much assistance as possible.

"We have provided medical care to any (civilians) we have encountered," he said. "More medical aid is coming in to make it possible for more to be treated in a variety of areas.

"We know that some of the hospitals are overwhelmed at the current time, and most of them are operating at some sort of reduced capacity, because of a lack of supplies or a lack of water. We facilitate as much as possible to provide as much relief as can be done."