PRESS RELEASE | Aug. 10, 2014
Update on Humanitarian Assistance Operations Near Sinjar, Iraq
August 10, 2014

RELEASE #20140807
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 10, 2014 – Tonight, the U.S. military conducted a fourth airdrop of food and water for thousands of Iraqi citizens threatened by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on Mount Sinjar, Iraq.

This airdrop was conducted from multiple airbases within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and included one C-17 and three C-130 cargo aircraft that together dropped a total of 88 bundles of supplies. U.S. fighter aircraft in the area supported the mission.

The C-17 dropped 40 container delivery system bundles of fresh drinking water totaling 3,804 gallons. In addition, the three C-130s dropped 48 bundles totaling 22,488 meals ready to eat and 590 gallons of fresh drinking water.

To date, in coordination with the government of Iraq, U.S. military aircraft have delivered more than 74,000 meals and more than 15,000 gallons of fresh drinking water, providing much-needed aid to the displaced Yazidis, who urgently require emergency assistance.

The United States military will continue to work with the Department of State as well as international partners including the Government of Iraq, the United Nations, and non-government organizations to assess the need for additional humanitarian operations in Iraq going forward.