PRESS RELEASE

September 21, 2009

United States, Vietnam Engage in Pacific Angel Efforts

Hanoi, September 21, 2009 – The United States provided humanitarian assistance in cooperation with local authorities to residents of Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2009 from Sept. 15-24. 

Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance operation conducted in the Pacific area of responsibility to support U.S. Pacific Command's capacity-building efforts. This humanitarian and civic assistance program is aimed at improving military civic cooperation between the United States and countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

More than 60 Air Force total-force members flew via an Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker into Vietnam and joined non-governmental organizations, host-nation military, and civil health and engineering personnel in medical, dental and engineering efforts.

The medical team provided general medical care to Quang Tri Province residents, including care for chronic illnesses, acute illnesses, diabetes, hypertension, and treatment for parasites, along with routine dental and optometry care. Engineering efforts included plumbing, electrical and structural work at the Cam Thuy Medical Center.  The medical team expected to care for slightly over 5,000 patients by September 22.

This is the second iteration of Operation Pacific Angel 2009. The first had concurrent operations at Kupang, West Timor, in Indonesia, and Dili City, Timor Leste, in July.

Operation Pacific Angel is a Pacific Air Forces program led by 13th Air Force in Hawaii.

Reporters are cordially invited to attend the Pacific Angel closing ceremony on Tuesday, September 22 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at the Le Loi Secondary School and Medical Clinic, Cam Lo Distric, Quang Tri.  Please note that the nearest airport to Quang Tri is Phu Bai in Hue City.