Everett WA (and San Diego)-Based Ships To Join Relief Effort

[Mrs. Overall]

EVERETT WA- Crew on the USS Abraham Lincoln based at Everett Naval Station will provide humanitarian aid to countries devastated by an earthquake and tsunami that has killed tens of thousands.

The Nimitz-class carrier and its crew of more than 5,000 had been nearing the end of a port stop at Hong Kong when it was diverted.
It's expected to arrive in the South China Sea by the end of the week and will coordinate with a task force based in Utapao, Thailand.

The San Diego-based USS Bonhomme Richard and its amphibious expeditionary strike group also are traveling from Guam to help in the effort. Together with the Lincoln the ships have water-treatment systems that can produce daily 50,000 gallons of drinking water.

The United States also is sending Air Force cargo planes and other Navy assets to help with the relief effort for the 11 countries that were devastated by tsunamis.

http://www.komotv.com/stories/34582.htm

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. My question is, why did it take this long for those orders?

Folks usually when there is a disaster anywhere in the world our CiC gives the orders to closest units WITHIN HOURS not days.

[OnlyInAmerica]

2. My question is

What is enough? Anytime the US announces more supplies/money/equipment, the standard response has been "It's not enough, it took too long, we're stingy". Why not just say "Good, we're steadily increasing the amount of aid and committing more resources"? The tsunami occurred on Sunday. Perhaps the ships needed to finish refueling, restocking food and potable water, etc.

[UncleSepp]

3. There has to be advance work done on the other end too

There has to be a safe and clear place to pull the ship into, a place for aircraft to land, receiving and distribution centers for material aid, and so on. There has to be budget and administration for financial aid. Funds have to be approved and process followed. On top of all that, this is a crisis which is getting worse, not better. First will come disease. Then, increased poverty and economic depression due to infrastructure damage and damage to the tourist industry. At the end of the first year of dealing with this crisis, the planning done in the first days may end up to be more beneficial than the delay was detrimental.

[sandnsea]

4. Oh bullshit

How the hell long does it take to stand up and say "we're all Asians". That's what the world did immediately after we were attacked. Why did we respond with a paltry $15 million and have to be shamed into adding more? Why didn't we do the right thing from the first moment of this disaster? I don't remember ever having to ask "where's Clinton" during the 90's. Still don't, he was there first on 9/11 and is there first now. I'm not a bit surprised.

And where's all the Americans bringing flowers to all the Asian embassies in the US??? We're selfish assholes, we just are. Deal with it.