Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, are among those bringing the first wave of relief for people on the coastlines of Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa. The area was devastated by a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake and equally powerful tsunamis.

The Airmen and six C-130 Hercules aircraft are expected to deliver relief supplies including food, shelter and clothing to Thailand within the next 24 hours, officials said.

Defense Department officials said U.S. Pacific Command will establish a joint task force for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the region.

PACOM officials also said humanitarian assistance assessment teams will deploy to various locations within the region.

“The assessment team will identify requirements for temporary military-specific support to dos and humanitarian relief agencies in (the country),” an official said. “Our primary concern is to prevent the further loss of life and human suffering, and we will support the relief response to this terrible tragedy.”

An assessment team includes servicemembers in the following specialties: medical treatment, civil engineering, preventive medicine, contracting, public affairs, logistics and water purification.

FMI: www.af.mil