SOUTHCOM provides support to relief operations in Chile Published March 17, 2010 By Christen N. McCluney Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- U.S. military officials are providing support to the ongoing relief efforts in Chile following the 8.8- magnitude earthquake that struck the country in late February. "U.S. military personnel have been working with local and international responders to provide relief to the hard-hit areas," said Col. Byron Mathewson, the commander of U.S. military forces deployed to Chile. Shortly after the earthquake, the Chilean government requested support from the U.S. military, that included two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, Naval assessment experts and an expeditionary medical support team. "They needed help with some specific challenges," Colonel Mathewson said. The team began operations March 7. The C-130s were brought in to augment the Chilean air force's air bridge of relief supplies. In seven days, the team completed 17 missions and flew more than 37 hours evacuating 205 Chileans and moving pallets totaling more than 300,000 pounds in support of the relief efforts, Colonel Mathewson said. "The Airmen worked closely with the Chilean air force throughout their deployment to integrate into their flight schedule and move the appropriate cargo and passengers." Experts from the Navy also provided the Chilean navy assessments of the shipyard and naval base at the port of Talcahuano, Chile. The team, composed of 12 Sailors and civilians from various commands, was able to provide damage assessment and determine what capabilities were needed in order to repair the base and the shipyard. "They were quickly able to integrate with the Chilean navy's assessment teams, providing a fresh set of eyes and offering their expertise," Colonel Mathewson said. One of the larger tasks in Chile was building a mobile hospital in the city of Angol after one of the major regional hospitals was deemed structurally unsound. "Prior to that expeditionary hospital's completion, local Chilean medics treated members of the local community in a small clinic or referred them to a nearby hospital some 40 miles away," Colonel Mathewson said. Airmen from the Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team and members of the Chilean army built a brand new mobile hospital for the community in 3.5 days. The hospital is equipped to provide surgical, primary care, pediatric, radiological, gynecological, laboratory and pharmaceutical services to nearly 110,000 Chileans in that region and has been operational since March 13, Colonel Mathewson said. The medical team performed their first surgery two days after opening and has treated more than 55 patients and performed six surgeries since opening. Colonel Mathewson also said the members deployed with the EMEDS unit will work alongside Chilean health professionals until March 26 when the U.S. will turn it over to Chilean officials. "It's been a truly remarkable experience working alongside the Chileans to bring help to those most in need," he said. "The U.S. and Chile have a long history of partnership and friendship. We're honored to be a part of this important mission."