[kingu]

While the press is covering the movements of the aircraft carrier, one of the untold stories are the AOR ships which are part of the carrier support group. They are fanning out to the more remote regions where their two helicopters and three launches head in all directions to deliver what supplies they can before returning to the ship and as a friend described it, 'puttin' up the rooster tail,' to head to another group of islands.

The sad part is that while the water purifiers and MREs are welcome, the first request is always for body bags.

Air Force cargo planes are doing drops where islands used to be in the vague hope that there will be someone there who can use the flotation devices and relief food packs, though no one is holding their breath.

Reporters at the Pentagon are really missing the boat on this story, and I'm sorry to see that they're more concerned about the amount of relief money (which won't buy anything for starving folks right now, only later in the future) and the real relief efforts under way right now.

As for threats to the US Navy ships, there are few boats still in condition for ocean travel, but all ships are apparently on hostile threat conditions with close defense systems on 'live key' - the systems are warmed up, key engaged and can be activated in seconds from the 24 hour manned CIC. The carrier itself is staying 20 minutes (helicopter time) off the coast and is constantly defended by both air cap and Aegis cruisers.

Hats off to our service people who are actually doing stuff rather than the UN which is contemplating how much they can skim off of relief efforts and will perhaps do something someday. I, as always, urge folks who want to help out to make open ended donations to the Red Cross - don't mark it just for tsunami relief. They'll know how to spend the money and we really don't need their hands tied with huge accounts that are specific for one disaster. Initial funds for tsunami relief came out of the general disaster funds and can't be repaid by donations to tsunami relief. Help the Red Cross because you'll never know when you'll need them yourself.

[shubi]

"Air Force cargo planes are doing drops where islands used to be in the vague hope that there will be someone there who can use the flotation devices and relief food packs, though no one is holding their breath."

No one is holding their breath- you could have chosen your words a little better, there. ;-)

I think what we need to face is the Bandeh Aceh region is pretty much gone. I would bet the people in the remote areas are doing just fine, those that survived. Rural people normally are more resourceful than soft city dwellers.

[squarebarb]

Thank you for this information, it should have been a post, this is the kind of info I was looking for.

The MSM is just concentrating on how many dollars are given. But clearly logistics is now the problem.

[killjoy]

Reporters at the Pentagon are really missing the boat on this story, and I'm sorry to see that they're more concerned about the amount of relief money (which won't buy anything for starving folks right now, only later in the future) and the real relief efforts under way right now.

I really wish they would concentrate on this aspect of the story. The money, while nice, is really meaningless at this stage in the game.

[VOA]

Reporters at the Pentagon are really missing the boat on this story, and I'm sorry
to see that they're more concerned about the amount of relief money

Missing? more like just pressing the erase button on their digital recorders
and delete on their laptops on any mention of the US forces doing heavy lifting.

These journalists are smart...this new "smear America" story came along when
reports of ugly conduct at prisons and twisting the truth about the necessary
shooting of insurgents in Iraq was getting a bit worn.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you for the post kingu.