U.S. Conducts Another Humanitarian Airdrop in Iraq

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2014 – Tonight, the U.S. military conducted another successful airdrop of food and water for thousands of Iraqi citizens threatened by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on Mount Sinjar, Iraq, according to a Defense Department news release.

This airdrop was conducted from multiple airbases within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and as with last night, included one C-17 and two C-130 cargo aircraft that together dropped a total of 72 bundles of supplies. The cargo aircraft were escorted by two F/A-18s from the USS George H.W. Bush, the release said.

The C-17 dropped some 40 container delivery system bundles of meals ready to eat and was complemented by a C-130 loaded with an additional 16 bundles totaling 28,224 meals, according to the release. In addition, one C-130 dropped 16 bundles totaling 1,522 gallons of fresh drinking water.

To date, in coordination with the government of Iraq, U.S. military aircraft have delivered 36,224 meals and 6,822 gallons of fresh drinking water, providing much-needed aid to Iraqis who urgently require emergency assistance, the release said.

The United States military will continue to work with the Department of State as well as international partners including the government of Iraq, the United Nations, and non-government organizations to assess the need for additional humanitarian operations in Iraq going forward, the release said.