U.S. Pacific Command Contributes to Cyclone Relief Effort in Bangladesh

Sea Technology, Feb 2008

After tropical cyclone Sidr struck Bangladesh's southern coast on November 15, 2007, U.S. Pacific Command sent a 23-man humanitarian assistance survey team to the region, at the request of the U.S. embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The cyclone, which had unleashed winds in excess of 156 miles per hour, had killed more than 3,000 people and left several hundred thousand homeless.

When it became apparent that the storm was going to make landfall, the USS Kearsarge (LSD-3), including elements of Amphibious Squadron 8 and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), was directed to make best speed towards Bangladesh. The Kearsarge arrived off the coast of Bangladesh on November 23.

The Kearsage's embarked helicopters and air-cushion landing craft delivered food, medicine and thousands of gallons of fresh water ashore, and U.S. Navy doctors and Marine corpsmen ashore saw several hundred medical cases. Many had to do with waterbome illnesses from pollution of water sources and the loss of wells. A major role for the U.S. force was to produce fresh water aboard the Kearsarge, which can filter 200,000 gallons per day.

Arriving to the area on December 3, the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) and the 11th MEU began providing medical aid the next day. Tarawa had been directed to make best speed towards Bangladesh from the western Pacific, where it was on a maritime security operation.

Additionally, a DOD medical team from U.S. Pacific Command conducted military-to-military medical training in Bangladesh and remained to assist with relief efforts if needed.

The United States was one of 25 countries providing $4 billion in aid.