The United Kingdom is leading the NATO response to the recent earthquakes in Turkey, utilising air transport capabilities to get specialist teams to the country.
Three Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft are being used to deliver NATO’s emergency support package to Turkey, including a NATO Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team (OLRT) and thousands of tents to provide shelter.
The UK, being a prominent contributor to NATO, is also providing bilateral support to Turkey through the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
A critical care air support team and C130 transport aircraft have been deployed to Turkey to transport patients from the most impacted areas, while a UK Medical Treatment Facility has been set up in Turkoglu to provide medical aid to hundreds of people.
In addition, the RAF has flown over 15 tonnes of humanitarian aid and 81 tonnes of medical aid to the affected people of Turkey and Syria, including thermal blankets and medical supplies. This week, the UK also announced £25 million in new funding to support the ongoing response efforts.
The UK has also sent a team of 77 search and rescue experts with specialist equipment and four rescue dogs to assist in recovery efforts. Further UK flights are on standby, ready to provide more aid and assistance if required by NATO.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was quoted as saying:
“We are committed to helping our close partner Turkey following the devastating earthquakes and have deployed flights, medics and aid to support the recovery efforts. We will continue to explore options for further support and I am in regular contact with my counterpart and friend Defence Minister Akar.”
C130s sent and picture of A400s shown. ‘Nuff said on that subject.
I’m glad we can help in Turkey, and I hope that some kind of emergency relief can get to the people of Northern Syria too without Erdogan throwing a hissy fit.
C130 is being used as an air ambulance to ferry patients out of the affected areas, A400 are being used to deliver aid in.
Nice to see full TES equipped A400Ms with MAWS and DIRCM.
That picture is 6 years old too, Taken during Operation Ruman
Didn’t think that looked like Turkey in winter in the background! Cheers
Hi folks hope all is well.
Not too bad considering we are now what was that comment by a supposedly US General…..just about a second rate military?
Great to see our guys and girls get stuck in as usual, demonstrates to those that question the defence budget which is under the spotlight again.
Cheers,
George
How much aid has Russia contributed to help their friends in Turkey and Syria?
They sent 150 rescue workers and search dogs to Turkey and 50 to Syria and put 500 troops in Syria on relief operations but no material aid. The earthquake mainly affected rebel held areas of Syria so the Syrian governments not done much in relief, even bombing a city an hour after the earthquake hit. They only opened a couple of checkpoints into the region for relief agencies 7 days after the quake.