Airmen deliver aid to Turkish earthquake victims

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) --   U.S. European Command officials sent two C-130J Super Hercules loaded with cots, blankets, sleeping bags and hygiene kits to north eastern Turkey, Oct. 29 to aid victims of a recent earthquake there.

The C-130Js from the 86th Airlift Wing departed Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to deliver the supplies to the Van region of Turkey, that was affected by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake Oct. 23. More than 500 people were killed and about 2,300 people are injured.

"The earthquake in Van really hit a couple of areas hard, but it is great to be able to help our friends," said Laird Treiber, of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. "Turkey is a long standing ally, and they have helped us out in the past, so it feels good to be able to help them."

The flights were the first of several planned. In total, EUCOM officials plan to deliver approximately 1,700 blankets, 2,600 cots, 275 sleeping bags, and 350 tents and heating units.

"We are always ready," said Lt. Col. Patrick Driscoll, from the 37th Airlift Squadron and an aircraft commander. "This humanitarian aid mission is a great example of the strong partnership that exists between our two nations."