USS Kearsarge set to provide assistance to Pakistan (Includes 48 helicopters)

[Turborama]

Source: 13 News

Posted on August 25, 2010 at 8:58 PM
Updated today at 9:59 PM

NORFOLK, Va. - The ships of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group will deploy early this Friday on a disaster aid mission. The ships will provide continued U.S. humanitarian assistance to Pakistan in support of flood relief from the recent monsoon. The decision to deploy the Kearsarge group ahead of its planned deployment was made based on continuing urgent needs in the Pakistan relief effort.

After the relief mission is completed, the Kearsarge will continue with its scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of responsibility.

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group is made up of the Norfolk-based amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, the amphibious transport dock ship USS Ponce and the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall.

Read more: http://www.wvec.com/news/military/USS-Kearsarge-set-to-provide-assistance-to-Pakistan-101520844.html

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Earlier related story in which the UN requests 40 more helicopters: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4516696">UN appeals for more helicopters to fly aid to marooned flood survivors / 800,000 Still Stranded

Aircraft carried:

42 × CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
5 × AV-8B Harrier II V/STOL attack jets
6 × SH-60F/HH-60H ASW helicopter

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Kearsarge_(LHD-3)#Characteristics">Wikipedia