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	JTF-Bravo Concludes Disaster Relief Efforts
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        <h1 class="title">JTF-Bravo Concludes Disaster Relief Efforts</h1>
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            <div class="image-title">201126-F-LG031-1219</div>
            <div class="image-caption">Rubelsanto Airport runway sits partially submerged from Hurricane Iota’s effects at Rubelsanto, Guatemala, Nov. 26, 2020. Central America is a region that is vulnerable to natural disasters, and Joint Task Force-Bravo’s pre-positioning in the region allows for rapid response to crises like this, which is even more important when back-to-back natural disasters occur. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Elijaih Tiggs)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">Hondurans wave to a U.S. Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew assigned to the 1-228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo after delivering 100 food bundles to aid those stranded by Hurricane Iota near Limones, department of Cortés, Honduras, Nov. 25, 2020. During a humanitarian crisis, USSOUTHCOM working with U.S. government partners will always work to find ways to help its neighbors at their request. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jael Laborn)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">Guatemalan Armed Forces members unload humanitarian aid food items from a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo at Rubelsanto, Guatemala, Nov. 26, 2020. These deployments reflect the importance of JTF-Bravo’s strategic location and capabilities, which allow rapid mobilization and responses to emergencies within the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Elijaih Tiggs)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">Daniel Calderon, a representative with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), watches food bundles being delivered to citizens in El Empalme village in Arizona, department of Atlántida, Dec. 1, 2020. The U.S. government will continue to assist with a USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) team and Civil Affairs teams as we now look towards the long-term recovery of our partners. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jael Laborn)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">A Honduran firefighter catches one of 200 bags of water delivered to citizens more than a week after Hurricane Iota’s aftermath near San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Nov. 28, 2020. JTF-Bravo is trained and prepared to support disaster assistance efforts within Central America.  (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jael Laborn)</div>
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    <div><b>By Capt. Rachel Salpietra</b> <span class="date">/ Published Dec. 3, 2020</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras, </span>
    <p>After nearly a month of supporting Foreign Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations under authorities granted by the Acting Secretary of Defense, at the request of U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Southern Command and Joint Task Force-Bravo concluded immediate response missions for Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Central America on Dec. 2, 2020.<br />
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USAID initially requested the unique capabilities of U.S. SOUTHCOM to transport relief supplies to hard-to-reach areas. Now that weather conditions have improved and floodwaters are receding, roads are becoming passable and commercial transportation services are resuming. The operations supported by the U.S. military will now transition to local authorities, the UN, and non-governmental organizations that are increasingly able to reach communities previously cut off by storm damage.<br />
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In addition, USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team will continue to lead the U.S. government’s humanitarian response efforts, working in close coordination with local authorities and multiple partners on the ground to assess the needs of affected people and help coordinate relief efforts.<br />
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"Support from JTF-Bravo was absolutely critical in these first weeks of the response," said USAID's DART Leader Tim Callaghan. "Working together, USAID and the U.S. military were able to deliver relief supplies to communities who urgently needed the assistance that nobody else was able to reach. We're grateful for the strong partnership and thank all of the members of JTF-Bravo and SOUTHCOM for the support."<br />
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During the course of JTF-Bravo’s authorities to conduct FHA/DR missions, the command supported 295 missions, providing medical and casualty evacuations for people in need of urgent care. JTF-Bravo’s assets rescued 810 citizens, transported 163 rescue and aid workers, and nearly 350,000 pounds of food, water, hygiene kits, and other life-saving aid. Additionally, JTF-Bravo transported nearly 564,000 pounds of relief supplies in support of the USAID-led humanitarian response to the region.<br />
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“JTF-Bravo has been working non-stop since early November, as part of a team effort,” said U.S. Army Col. John D. Litchfield, JTF-Bravo commander. “We’ve worked closely with our Central American partners throughout, and it’s been inspiring to see our friends and allies joining us to help people in their time of need.”<br />
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JTF-Bravo worked closely throughout the disaster relief efforts with USAID, the U.S. Embassies in Guatemala, Honduras and Panama, and members and assets from USSOUTHCOM, U.S. Army South, U.S. Naval Forces South, U.S. Air Forces South, U.S. Special Operations Command-South, the U.S. Coast Guard, the United Kingdom Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and the French Navy.<br />
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During the early, critical stages of disaster relief operations, the unique military capabilities fielded by JTF-Bravo enabled the U.S. to assist its partners in the region with immediate, life-saving efforts. Within an hour of receiving requests for support from the Honduran government, JTF-Bravo personnel were flying immediate life-saving missions.<br />
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As friends and neighbors to Central America, JTF-Bravo has stood by its partners for nearly 40 years and continues to do so today. The task force stands ready to respond and assist should the need arise again.<br />
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<strong>Joint Task Force Bravo’s response to Hurricanes Eta and Iota, a timeline:</strong><br />
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- Nov. 2: Tropical Storm Eta is upgraded to a hurricane.<br />
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- Nov. 3-5: Category 4 Hurricane Eta makes landfall at Nicaragua’s northern coast. Hurricane Eta is designated as a tropical storm as it weakens, passing over inland Nicaragua and Honduras. It weakened further to a tropical depression as it reached Guatemala.<br />
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- Nov. 4: U.S. Government declares a disaster in Honduras and USAID begins providing humanitarian aid.<br />
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-Nov. 5: JTF-Bravo begins life-saving search and rescue and delivery of life-saving aid in support of Honduras.<br />
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- Nov. 6: JTF-Bravo begins search and rescue and logistical support to Panama. U.S. Government declares a disaster in Guatemala.<br />
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- Nov. 7: DoD initiates its response in Guatemala. JTF-Bravo deploys to Guatemala to provide search and rescue and logistical support.<br />
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- Nov. 8: U.S. Government declares a disaster in Nicaragua.<br />
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- Nov. 15: Tropical Storm Iota is upgraded to a hurricane. JTF-Bravo concludes life-saving disaster relief missions in Panama, Guatemala and Honduras.<br />
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- Nov. 16: Hurricane Iota passes over Colombia’s San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands. Iota next makes landfall over Nicaragua and passes over Central America.<br />
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- Nov. 17: USAID/BHA activates a DART and Response Management Team (RMT). U.S. Government declares a disaster in Colombia.<br />
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- Nov. 21: JTF-Bravo begins life-saving, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions in Honduras and Guatemala.<br />
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- Nov. 28: JTF-Bravo concludes life-saving, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions in Guatemala.<br />
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- Dec. 2: JTF-Bravo concludes life-saving, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions in Honduras.</p>

<p>For updates on the U.S. humanitarian response efforts, go to USAID’s website: https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance/hurricanes-iota-eta</p>
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