Airmen unload fire retardant from a C-130-J Super Hercules Dec. 4, 2010, at the Ben Gurion International Airport, srael. The fire retardant is part of a joint U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command effort to assist the Israeli government in fighting wildfires in their country. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Markus M. Maier)
Government officials and members of the international press welcome the arrival of a C-130J Super Hercules Dec.4, 2010, at Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel. The aircraft delivered fire retardant from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as part of a joint U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command effort to assist the Israeli government in fighting wildfires in their country. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Markus M. Maier)
by Tech. Sgt. Markus M. Maier
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
12/5/2010 - BEN GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel (AFNS) -- Two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, delivered 20 tons of fire retardant to Israel Dec. 4.
The mission was part of a joint U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe effort to assist the Israeli government deal with what is considered the worst wildfire since the country's founding in 1948.
The massive forest fire raging through northern Israel's Carmel Mountains, near the city of Hafia, has already claimed more than 40 lives and forced more than 17,000 people to evacuate the area.
Upon arrival here, the Ramstein AB aircraft were greeted by James Cunningham, the U.S. ambassador to Israel.
"I'm here to welcome the planes and the members of the U.S. military who are performing this very important job," Ambassador Cunningham said. "We are seeing the delivery of the first American assistance on the ground to the international effort to deal with this terrible forest fire."
The ambassador also talked about the partnership between the U.S. and Israel.
"This is an important demonstration of America's support for Israel and the Israeli people, something that we are proud to be part of," he said. "We are here out of friendship and out of support for a friend who is in a difficult spot and needs some help. Our prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones and have suffered as a result of this fire. We are going to continue with this effort until the job is done."
An Israeli reporter covering the arrival of the fire retardant said that this help is desperately needed.
"We are very tired and exhausted," said Noganjr Neeman, an Israeli News Channel 10 aviation correspondent. "This is a very terrible disaster for us. We have never had this kind of fire here in Israel. A lot of people are forced to leave their homes and we are very grateful for the help ( the U.S.) gives us."
The fire retardant, which was purchased by U.S. EUCOM from a German commercial company, is expected to help extinguish the flames and keep them from reigniting.
"This is a good example of nations coming together to provide a response to a crisis situation," said Army Maj. Tim McDonald, a USEUCOM Logistics Directorate representative. "The government of Israel has asked for our support, specifically for the fire retardant, and we are providing it in response to their request. It's a very important mission and I'm very proud to be part of it."
Comments
12/6/2010 5:51:41 PM ET Ms. Weiss I can assure you the perceived slowness of the response was not due to those that responded, but by those that requested the aid. It is apparent the Israelis have little experience in such disasters and had not planned sufficiently should one occur. Ken and Steve were spot on when explaining the situation. Logistically it was a monumental task to load the spray units into the aircraft, gather crews who were not on alert and arrange for the airlift of support equipment and personnel. Our unit aircraft left from Colorado within 23 hours of being notified. I'm sure there were many lessons learned this past week which will make the response to another disaster that much less painful.
ROBERT , Colorado Springs
12/6/2010 1:24:05 PM ET Beth I am a big supporter of Israel as well, but I have to say you come across as whining in your post. It only took TWO DAYS for this aid to arrive. How much quicker do you think it should have happened? How much has Israel helped the U.S. in response to any of our natural disasters? Probably none. I'm sure the people of Israel are thankful for our help and aren't whining about it taking our mighty airlifters 48 hours to transport 20 tons of fire retardant from Europe to the Middle East. That seems pretty quick to me. Wise up and say thank you instead of criticizing the response.
Ken, Florida
12/6/2010 1:22:25 PM ET Ms. Weiss Like any other bureaucratic process it takes a great deal of coordination approval and logistics to muster and utilize military assets and materials. Secondly request for external aid must come directly from the distressed nation upon declaration of a national emergency. I understand it must be heart-wrenching to see a piece of your homeland destroyed, give thanks that our brave men and women did something to save it. Two days is a rather quick response under the circumstances.
Steve, Tampa
12/6/2010 10:34:56 AM ET Two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base Germany delivered 20 tons of fire retardant to Israel Dec. 4. My comment is why so late...the fire began on Thursday Dec. 2. As an American Jew I love Israel and am deeply saddened by this fire in a forest I know well. Why does help take so long?
