U.S. Airmen help deliver aid to Israel
December 9, 2010
Aircrew unload fire retardant from a C-130J Hercules to supporting the wildfire relief efforts near Haifa, Israel. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson |
U.S. Air Forces in Europe airlifted 20 tons of fire retardant to Israel earlier this week in a joint mission with U.S. European Command to provide humanitarian assistance to Israel. EUCOM started the mission after the Israeli government requested help from the U.S. Department of State to control and extinguish the wildfires to save lives, homes, infrastructure and natural resources.
The wildfires were the worst in the nation of Israel's history. U.S. European Command purchased the fire retardant and began a mission following an official request from the Israeli government for support.
So far the United States has donated 30,000 liters fire retardant with plans to deliver 60,000 more over the next three days to aid firefighting efforts in Israel.
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