Earthquake Relief Effort Slowed by Weather
NewsCentral Staff
Story Created:
Mar 16, 2011 at 7:04 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Mar 16, 2011 at 7:04 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) - Poor flying weather is hampering U.S. relief efforts in Japan.
Pilots weren't able to fly helicopters today from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan until late afternoon because of poor visibility. The Navy says only 15 flights with relief supplies were launched from the carrier group. About twice as many flights were reported yesterday to deliver food, water, blankets and other supplies.
More U.S. equipment, meanwhile, is being provided to help Japan control the crisis at a nuclear power plant. Several water pumps are being sent from U.S. bases around Japan. The Pentagon says two American firetrucks had already been sent to the area to be operated by Japanese firefighters.
There's been no request for help from U.S. military personnel there.
The nuclear crisis has complicated the relief efforts. The Ronald Reagan had to move Sunday out of the downwind path of the reactors after low levels of radiation were detected on the carrier and among 17 helicopter crew members returning from a mission.
Most Popular