#AfterMelissa: More US military personnel, aircraft arrive in Jamaica
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Additional United States military personnel arrive at the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing, based at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, on Sunday (November 2) to assist with post-Hurricane Melissa recovery and relief efforts. (Photo: JIS)
Additional US military support arrived in Kingston on Sunday (November 2) to aid in humanitarian relief efforts following the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa.
Joint Task Force-Bravo, a division of US Southern Command, advised that it had expanded operations with additional UH-60 Black Hawks to reach affected communities, bringing critical airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities in the early stages of recovery.
At the request of the Prime Minister Andrew Holness-led government, the US Department of State operationalised Joint Task Force-Bravo last Friday to provide humanitarian and disaster relief assistance in the aftermath of the deadly category five storm.
A Black Hawk helicopter carrying additional relief aid support for post-Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts arrives at the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing, based at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Sunday (November 2). (Photo: JIS)
Three CH-47 Chinooks from the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, were initially deployed, carrying 40 service members and supplies as part of the initial effort to provide immediate, lifesaving, and humanitarian support.
Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz was present and spoke briefly with Colonel Matthew Schneider and US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Scott Renner as task force personnel and equipment arrived at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Air Wing, based at Norman Manley International Airport.
Minister of Energy and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz (right), greets commander of the US Army’s Joint Task Force-Bravo, Colonel Matthew Schneider, following the arrival of additional Black Hawk helicopters on Sunday (November 2) at the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing, based at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. The helicopters will be used to assist with post-Hurricane Melissa recovery and relief efforts. At centre is the chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Kingston, Scott Renner. (Photo: JIS)
Additional United States military personnel arrive at the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing, based at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, on Sunday (November 2) to assist with post-Hurricane Melissa recovery and relief efforts. (Photo: JIS)
Minister of Energy and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz (centre), converses with commander of the US Army’s Joint Task Force-Bravo, Colonel Matthew Schneider, following the arrival of additional Black Hawk helicopters on Sunday (November 2) at the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing, based at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. The helicopters will be used to assist with post-Hurricane Melissa recovery and relief efforts. At left is the chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Kingston, Scott Renner. (Photo: JIS)
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