DOD begins earthquake relief efforts Published Oct. 11, 2005 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Department of Defense officials announced Oct. 10 that Navy Rear Adm. Michael Lefever will establish a humanitarian coordination center in Islamabad, Pakistan. Admiral Lefever will coordinate Defense Department support to the State Department, other U. S. government agencies and to the Pakistan government in response to the earthquake that struck South Asia Oct. 8. Army Lt. General Karl Eikenberry, commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, is in Islamabad to oversee the initial U. S. military assistance response. He will return to Kabul, Afghanistan, to resume his responsibilities there. The immediate Defense Department assistance has flowed into Pakistan from throughout the region. That included 12 pallets of food and medicine flown by a C-17 Globemaster III from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, and by heavy lift and supply helicopters from Bahrain and other areas of Afghanistan. Additional C-17s with more support and equipment will arrive Oct. 11. Defense officials will identify and deploy additional capabilities to assist the State Department and affected countries. That will including helicopters, engineering and heavy lift capabilities, medical support, and humanitarian assistance. Together with the other U.S. government agencies that are rendering assistance, the department will continue to work with the Pakistan government to assess what assistance can be made available immediately and in the longer term.