PHOTOS: ILOPANGO, El Salvador -- Villagers from Verapaz, El Salvador, unload a CH-47 Chinook assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo Nov. 12. JTF-Bravo members, based out of Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, helped distribute more than 21,000 pounds of food, water, clothing and other hygiene products to villages of El Salvador that have been cut off by mudslides. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad Thompson).    More Photos

VIDEO:  Footage of U.S. military disaster relief effort in El Salvador.   U.S. military forces deliver 300,000 lbs of aid in El Salvador.

Key Links:	Joint Task Force-Bravo	USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance	More info on El Salvador		FACT SHEET: U.S. govt. response in El Salvador
Operational update (as of Nov. 24): The bulk of the Joint Task Force-Bravo team in El Salvador has redeployed back to Honduras after the completion of major disaster relief support operations.  U.S. military officials in the region remain engaged with relief agencies to identify future follow-on efforts to help El Salvador.   Overview of operation: DELIVERY OF AID: From Nov. 12 - Nov. 18, Joint Task Force-Bravo troops distributed more than 373,000 lbs of aid to villages completely isolated due to damaged roads and bridges (near Verapaz, Guadalupe, Santa Maria Ostumas and San Vicente).  Delivered supplies include food, water, milk, sanitation kits, clothing and other hygiene products.    Daily breakdown of airlifted supplies: Nov. 12: 20,772 lbs Nov. 13: 61,020 lbs Nov. 14: 90,700 lbs Nov. 15: 45,500 lbs Nov. 16: 97,000 lbs Nov. 17: 46,700 lbs Nov. 18: 11,200 lbs Nov. 22: 1,000 lbs According to commanders, the airlifts were the only source of lifesaving supplies for the stranded villagers.   MEDICAL SUPPORT: On Nov. 19, the Joint Task Force-Bravo team began a Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP).  U.S. military doctors worked alongside local physicians and the Ministry of Health to provide free treatments to storm victims in six villages (Guadalupe on Nov. 19, San Diego and Melara on Nov. 20, San Emigdio on Nov. 21 and San Marcelino and Isetas on Nov. 22.).  The main focus of treatment was primary care and preventative medicine (see more on medical mission).  The medical teams have seen nearly 3,000 patients.   DAMAGE ASSESSMENT SUPPORT: Engineers from U.S. Southern Command, together with Salvadoran military engineers, also assisted Salvadoran officials to gather data from areas with damaged infrastructure (see more). DONATION OF FUNDS: Additionally, U.S. Southern Command committed $58,000 to finance six Humanitarian Assistance Projects to support homeless families in the hardest hit communities.  These funds were used to purchase and donate supplies, potable water and canned food, as well construction materials, mosquito netting, beds and mattresses.   U.S. military forces involved:  About 45 U.S. military personnel and four helicopters (CH-47 Chinook, HH-60 and two UH-60 Blackhawks) from Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to El Salvador from nearby Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras Nov. 11.   The team was comprised of aviation, medical, civil affairs and engineering personnel from Joint Task Force-Bravo, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Special Operations Command South.      Background: In mid-November 2009, heavy rains battered El Salvador, leading to flooding and mudslides that killed more than a hundred people and imperiled and stranded thousands of others.   Authorities in the country declared a state of emergency and submitted a request for assistance through the U.S. embassy, clearing the way for U.S. military support.  U.S. Southern Command directed the military forces to respond, which are in support of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, the lead federal agency for U.S. foreign assistance.				Key points:     U.S. military assistance must be formally requested by the host nation through the U.S. ambassador.  Then, the lead federal agent, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, transmits requirements through the Department of State, who sends an Executive Secretariat Memorandum to the Department of Defense requesting military assistance.     Since 2005, SOUTHCOM has sent forces to assist 13 major multinational disaster relief missions in the region (SEE TABLE BELOW)     SOUTHCOM has a team that focuses year-round on working with regional governments to improve disaster responses.  The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Preparedness Program (HAP), in concert with other U.S. agencies, works with nations in the region to improve disaster response capabilities and build all-important relationships with local officials.

Recent disaster relief in the region:   2009 Earthquake Relief, Costa Rica, January: A team of 34 U.S. troops and four helicopters from JTF-Bravo work with Costa Rican emergency crews to provide airlift support during search & rescue operations in isolated and devastated areas.  (see more)   2008 Flood relief, Costa Rica & Panama, November/December: A team of U.S. troops and helicopters from Joint Task Force-Bravo work with local officials to deliver 314,000 pounds of relief supplies and evacuate 17 medical patients. (see more)   Haiti Storm Relief, September: Helicopters from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) deliver 3.3 million pounds of food, water and other aid to communities devastated by a succession of storms (Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike).  Medical teams from the ship also provided limited health care and assessments to affected communities. (see more)   2007 Tropical Storm Noel, November:  Forces from the Puerto Rico National Guard, U.S. Army South and JTF-Bravo along with the U.S. Coast Guard support search and rescue support, assist in damage assessments, and deliver relief commodities.  SOUTHCOM also provides $250,000 in emergency relief commodities. (see more)   Hurricane Felix, September:  Helicopters from USS Wasp, USS Samuel B. Roberts and JTF-Bravo airlift 490,000 pounds of aid to Felix victims.  Also, provided a forward area refueling capability that allowed the Nicaraguans to reach communities that were cut-off. (see more)   Peru earthquake, August:  A Texas-based medical team of 14 Airmen and a 30-person mobile surgical team from JTF-Bravo provide medical care to Peruvians affected by the disaster. (see more)   Bolivia floods, February: C-130 airlifts planeload of USAID relief supplies to help relief efforts. (see more)   2006 Panama floods, November: JTF-Bravo troops and helicopters evacuate four people and airlift 130,000 pounds of relief supplies. (see more)   Nicaragua alcohol poisoning epidemic, September: JTF-Bravo troops provide three-man medical team and donate $185,000 of medical supplies. (see more)   Ecuador, volcano eruption, July:  Supports disaster relief operations and provides $140,000 of medical supplies and equipment.   2005 Honduras, Tropical Storm Gamma, November:  Nine JTF-Bravo helicopters and 40 troops airlift 110,000 pounds of emergency supplies to affected region.   Honduras, Hurricane Beta, November:  Ten JTF-Bravo helicopters airlift 140,000 pounds of relief supplies.   Guatemala & Nicaragua, Hurricane Stan, October: Twelve aircraft and 125 personnel evacuate/transport 300 victims and deliver nearly 300 tons of aid.