RELEASE: Update on SOUTHCOM support to Venezuela earthquake relief, June 29

At the direction of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), U.S. military capabilities continue arriving in Venezuela to support ongoing U.S. earthquake relief efforts requested by the Venezuelan government and led by the State Department.

• Six U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster cargo aircraft are scheduled to arrive in country today carrying a U.S. Marine Combat Logistics Company from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. These Marines bring with them heavy equipment and engineering assets, water purification capabilities, and more.
• Additionally, Air Force C-17s and C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft continue transporting personnel and equipment to Venezuela in support of relief efforts.
• The Contingency Response Element (CRE), comprised of approximately 100 airmen with airfield management expertise and related equipment, and a U.S. military Airfield Assessment Team are assisting the Venezuelan government, local aviation authorities, and the U.S. interagency response team with safely expanding the flow of inbound and outbound air traffic at key airports near the epicenter.
• U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys continue performing multiple flight missions between a Netherlands hosted logistics hub in Curaçao and affected areas of Venezuela, transporting key personnel and resources. In addition, the Ospreys are being used to move personnel and resources throughout the nation in support of ongoing relief efforts.
• Port of La Guaira is now operational, and the USS Fort Lauderdale is using the port to deliver critically needed supplies and equipment to Venezuela.
• U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopters are supporting aerial assessments of areas impacted by the earthquakes and transporting U.S. State Department personnel leading the U.S. disaster relief mission.
• U.S. Army CH-47 Chinooks and air crews from Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-Bravo) out of Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, are on the ground and providing airlift support assistance. Additional personnel, resources, and aircraft from JTF-Bravo will continue to arrive over the next 48 hours.
• U.S. Space Force, through its SOUTHCOM component, continues providing satellite imagery of impacted communities and damaged infrastructure to aid disaster relief planners with assessing where immediate live-saving and aid efforts are needed most, and prioritizing requests for disaster response capabilities.

Updated information about the Department of War's support to the U.S. government's earthquake relief mission in Venezuela and life-saving assistance to the Venezuelan people will be posted on SOUTHCOM's official social media accounts.

Planning of additional U.S. military support is ongoing in close coordination with the U.S. State Department, the Venezuelan government, and other partners and Allies contributing to the ongoing international relief effort and will be announced once confirmed.

POINT OF CONTACT Email: [email protected]