American Forces Deliver Tsunami Relief to Aceh

American sailors unloaded relief supplies from helicopters near Banda Aceh in January 2005, with Petty Officer Brandon Spegal among those carrying them ashore. The earthquake and tsunami of 26 December had destroyed coastal settlements, leaving survivors in urgent need of water, food, and medical care. [1] [2]

With road access lost across parts of Aceh, helicopters from USS Abraham Lincoln and its escorts carried supplies to places relief trucks could not reach. Operation Unified Assistance extended the work of civilian aid agencies as American forces joined Indonesian personnel, other countries, and local communities in the response. [2]

Local residents later gave Senate staff favourable accounts of the American crews while expressing frustration at the slow pace of reconstruction. The emergency deliveries had helped people survive in isolated communities; rebuilding their homes and livelihoods would take much longer. [2]

Related Diplomats

1. Soemadi Brotodiningrat [3] [4]

Related Reading

• Indonesia and the United States