Hour of need - U.S. Air Force relief efforts for victims of Gujarat, India earthquake - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Airman, April, 2001

AHMEDABAD, India -- When a 7.9 magnitude earthquake rattled India in January, the Air Force responded by sending airmen, equipment and supplies.

Aircraft from Travis Air Force Base, Calif.; McChord Air Force Base, Wash.; and Dover Air Force Base, Del., deployed to the region carrying a two-and-a-half ton truck, two large forklifts, two 400-gallon water trailers, about 10,000 blankets, 1,500 sleeping bags and 92 large 50-person tents. As part of the overall U.S. support, a six-person team of communications, logistics and medical support specialists deployed from U.S. Pacific Command.

The earthquake devastated the western state of Gujarat leaving the area without power and water. Indian officials reported about 15,000 people dead, tens of thousands injured and hundreds of thousands homeless.