In the aftermath of most major disasters, reports inevitably appear of alleged graft and corruption and of slow, inefficient or insufficient aid and relief efforts. It is, and will be, no different with Typhoon Haiyan. The good news is that aid, donations and support continue to pour and, in fact, are being stepped up.
Here are images of our Marines, Sailors and Airmen continuing to do their part in Operation Damayan.
Helping a Filipino woman board a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules for transport to Manila. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel M. Young.
Observing a destroyed village from a MV-22B Osprey aircraft as a bilateral assessment team lands to deliver relief and determine needs in Pasay, Luzon, Philippines. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Caleb Eames.
Talking with children after dropping supplies from an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ricardo R. Guzman.
Offloading supplies at Guiuan Airport, Philippines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kristine Dreyer)
Talking with Philippine civilians after airlifting supplies to their village. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chris Cavagnaro
Organizing passengers waiting for transport before they board an aircraft at Guiuan Airport, Republic of the Philippines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kristine Dreyer)
Directing air traffic at Guiuan Airport, the Philippines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kristine Dreyer)
And there are always the touching images of mothers whose first concern is for their children.
A Filipino woman carries her child aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft to be transported to Manila. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel M. Young.
Just as there are always those “working dogs” also doing their part.
Kona, a search and rescue dog from Edmonton, Canada, waits to board a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in support of Joint Task Force 505, at Villamor Air Base, Philippines. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Luis A. Rodriguez III
Lead image:
A Tacloban mother comforts her son aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130H aircraft at Tacloban Airport, Philippines. U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jake Bailey
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.