August 21, 2010
The first contingent of a Japanese Ground Self Defense Force helicopter unit has left for flood-stricken Pakistan on a disaster relief mission.
Pakistani authorities say about 1,500 people died and 15 million others have suffered in floods triggered by record heavy rain in late July.
The Japanese government decided to send a unit of 6 helicopters with 200 personnel on a relief mission at the request of the Pakistani government.The 50-member group left its base in Fukuoka, western Japan, for Pakistan on Saturday.
The helicopter unit will base its operations for the coming month in Multan, central Pakistan, which was devastated by the floods. The helicopters will transport flood sufferers and relief supplies.
At the sending-off ceremony, parliamentary defense secretary Daizo Kusuda encouraged the troops.
The leader of the helicopter unit, Atsushi Ishizaki, pledged every possible effort in the relief mission to meet the expectations of the international community.
The remaining members of the Japanese unit are scheduled to leave for Pakistan by the end of this month.
2010/08/21 12:23(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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