Home > Media Library > Articles > February, 2012 > U.S. Military Provides Helicopter Assistance for Montenegro’s Winter Emergency Relief Efforts

U.S. Military Provides Helicopter Assistance for Montenegro’s Winter Emergency Relief Efforts

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PODGORICA, Montenegro -- Spc. Monique Bumstead a crew chief from U.S. Army Europe’s 1st Battalion 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, works with her Montenegrin partners to load Red Cross supplies for a humanitarian relief mission Feb. 22. The Soldiers are part of the U.S. task force sent to provide humanitarian assistance at request of the government of Montenegro coordinating with the National Emergency Operations Center and the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense to provide relief and to save lives, homes and infrastructure in response to heavy snowfall.

Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe's 12th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct a resupply mission with the Montenegrin Red Cross to deliver medical supplies to Montenegrins stranded by severe weather in Northern Montenegro Feb. 22. The soldiers are here as part of a U.S. task force to provide humanitarian assistance at request of the government of Montenegro coordinating with the National Emergency Operations Center and the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense to provide relief and to save lives, homes and infrastructure in response to heavy snowfall.

Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe's 12th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct a resupply mission with the Montenegrin Red Cross to deliver medical supplies to Montenegrins stranded by severe weather in Northern Montenegro Feb. 22. The soldiers are here as part of a U.S. task force to provide humanitarian assistance at request of the government of Montenegro coordinating with the National Emergency Operations Center and the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense to provide relief and to save lives, homes and infrastructure in response to heavy snowfall.

Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe's 12th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct a resupply mission with the Montenegrin Red Cross to deliver medical supplies to Montenegrins stranded by severe weather in Northern Montenegro Feb. 22. The soldiers are here as part of a U.S. task force to provide humanitarian assistance at request of the government of Montenegro coordinating with the National Emergency Operations Center and the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense to provide relief and to save lives, homes and infrastructure in response to heavy snowfall.

Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe's 12th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct a resupply mission with the Montenegrin Red Cross to deliver medical supplies to Montenegrins stranded by severe weather in Northern Montenegro Feb. 22. The soldiers are here as part of a U.S. task force to provide humanitarian assistance at request of the government of Montenegro coordinating with the National Emergency Operations Center and the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense to provide relief and to save lives, homes and infrastructure in response to heavy snowfall.

February 22, 2012
US Embassy Podgorica, Montenegro

A Black Hawk UH-60A+ medical evacuation aircraft and UH-60A Lift Helicopter arrived in Podgorica on Wednesday, February 22. In response to the Montenegrin Government’s request for assistance from NATO, the United States deployed these two U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters and a support crew of more than 40 to Montenegro. Both will support the Montenegrin government’s efforts to deliver critical supplies and provide rescue services, including medical evacuation support, to those stranded in the areas most heavily hit by the recent snowfall. The helicopters and crew come from the 1-214th Aviation Battalion of the United States Army 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, the largest aviation brigade in the U.S. Army, headquartered in Katterbach, Germany.  The brigade conducts missions in a variety of locations. The versatile Black Hawk helicopters are a top choice for tactical missions and are known for being dependable and rugged. Also supporting the mission in a command and control function, are members of the 361st Civil Affairs, part of the 7th Civil Support Command in Kaiserslautern Germany.

Support crews, including pilots, helicopter technicians, and a command team arrived in Montenegro on Sunday, February 19. 

The deployment of the U.S. aircraft follows the helicopter support provided earlier by other NATO allies Greece, Slovenia, and Croatia to assist Montenegro in responding to the worst winter weather in decades. Record snowfalls in Montenegro have left tens of thousands in the country’s mountainous north cut off and unable to receive supplies of food and fuel or medical assistance.

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Comments: 1

by teri wells on February 25, 2012 :

Oh good luck to everyone there including my son.Go Army

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