Guam – The U.S. Air Force Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team is scheduled to return here Oct. 17 and 18 after providing disaster relief in Indonesia following the recent earthquakes that struck West Sumatra.

More than 1,900 patients were treated, by HARRT, ranging from acute care to minor surgical procedures.  A total of 117.2 tons of supplies and equipment were used on the deployment.

Seventy-one Airmen from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; Yokota Air Base, Japan; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; and Hickam AFB, Hawaii, flew to Padang, Indonesia on Oct. 5.

The Pacific Air Forces’ HARRT was developed by 13th Air Force at Hickam AFB to provide a rapidly deployable team that provides medical assistance in the event of a natural disaster in the Asia-Pacific region. The team is capable of deploying to a disaster relief site within 24 hours of notification and can setup a fully operational medical facility within six hours of arrival.

In international relief operations, U.S. military efforts are in support of the U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance who intern supports the host nation response.

U.S. Pacific Command will continue to work closely with the Indonesian government, the U.S. Embassy, and international relief organizations of Indonesia on humanitarian assistance operations at the request and invitation of the Indonesian government.