Operation Atlas Response

Operation Atlas Response

Mozambique and South Africa

U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) leads the way
in EUCOM humanitarian relief efforts

MC-130Ps were heavily involved in Operation Atlas Response.

Operation Atlas Response, previously named Operation Silent Promise, is the U.S. European Command's contribution to relief efforts following torrential rains and flooding in southern Mozambique and South Africa. U.S. European Command deployed a Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (HAST) to Mozambique and South Africa February 18, 2000. The 12-person team provided an on-site assessment, in coordination and cooperation with the regional American Embassies and other U.S. Government agencies, to determine military capabilities required to support ongoing disaster relief operations in Mozambique and South Africa.  The HAST consisted of a team leader, preventive medicine specialist, contracting officer, general engineer, logistics specialist, force protection officer, two civil affairs specialists, water purification specialist, and rotor wing aviation specialist.

On February 24, the Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved a Department of State request to provide C-5 airlift support for humanitarian relief supplies from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., to Pretoria, South Africa.  The U.S. Transportation Command was tasked to coordinate airlift of medium and large general purpose tents and blankets.  The mission was delayed due to mechanical problems, and a C-5 Galaxy delivered the supplies to Pretoria on March 2.  

On February 25, the Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved a Department of State request to transport humanitarian relief supplies to Mozambique.  The U.S. Transportation Command was tasked to coordinate airlift and deliver plastic sheeting, water containers and wool blankets from Pisa, Italy, to Maputo with a subsequent delivery to Beira, Mozambique no later than March 1.   The C-17 mission with relief supplies departed Pisa, Italy, on February 28.  Three members of the HAST were dispatched to Beira to receive the load, which was delivered on March 1.

Severe flooding along rivers and low areas of Maputo Province caused displaced people and widespread infrastructure damage causing distribution problems for relief supplies.  A cyclone made landfall in the Beira area approximately 700 miles north of Maputo.  The cities of Machanga and Mambone were flattened by the cyclone, and additional rain in Zimbabwe and South Africa forced water releases from several dams, contributing further to the flooding in Mozambique.  Ongoing host nation and HAST assessments indicated widespread crop, road and bridge damages, a growing number of displaced people in need of emergency supplies, and thousands of people trapped and in need of immediate rescue from the rising water.  The release of dam overflow spillways added to the worsening conditions in many areas.

On March 2, USEUCOM deployed additional people to Maputo to reinforce the HAST and increase assessment and survey capabilities in the Southern African region.  One medical doctor, a contracting officer, disbursing agent, general engineer, an Office of Special Investigations agent, and a logistic planner, as well as communications equipment and operators augmented the 12-person HAST already in the region, arriving in Maputo on March 3.

On March 3, the Secretary of Defense authorized deployment of U.S. forces to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Southern Africa, to include Mozambique and neighboring states as required.  The U.S. forces' mission was to provide immediate lifesaving and other humanitarian support until the situation allows for transition of the responsibilities back to local and international relief organizations.  

On the same day, the relief operation was renamed Operation Atlas Response. 

The Secretary of Defense approved and USEUCOM directed the deployment of a joint task force to include a command and control element, search and rescue forces and intra-theater airlift assets and personnel to support the lead federal agency, the Department of State, in Southern African relief operations.  The U.S. Air Forces in Europe's 3rd Air Force, headquartered at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, is the lead component for JTF Atlas Response.  The joint task force is commanded by Maj. Gen. Joseph H. Wehrle Jr., Commander, 3rd Air Force, and it's mission is to provide military-specific assistance to the governments in the Southern African region and humanitarian relief agencies to minimize human suffering. The Civil-Military Operations Center (CMOC) was also established in Maputo to allow for liaison with the United Nations Office for Cooperation of Humanitarian Affairs, the Government of Mozambique and other organizations.

The JTF Atlas Response Forward was established at Maputo on March 5.  With the establishment of the JTF, the HAST was disestablished and HAST personnel were assigned under JTF Atlas Response Forward.   

A C-5 Galaxy carrying members of the Tactical Airlift Control Element (TALCE) arrived in Hoedspruit, South Africa, on March 5.  In coordination with all nations involved, South Africa agreed to provide Hoedspruit military airfield as an intermediate staging base for the humanitarian relief operation.  That same day the first two C-130 Hercules aircraft arrived with Keen Sage capability.  Keen Seen provided imagery gathering capability to assist with the relief effort.

Two more C-130s arrived in Hoedspruit March 6, and Keen Sage and tactical airlift missions started March 7.  Two C-130s, an MC-130P and a C-5 carrying two HH-60 helicopters arrived on March 7.  On March 8, a MC-130P, C130 and a C-5 carrying the third HH-60 arrived at Hoedspruit.  The Joint Special Operations Task Force stood up on March 10 in Beira.  The first MH-53J arrived via C-5 on March 10 and two more on March 11.

During the operation, there were seven C-130 Hercules airlift aircraft, three of which were Keen Sage capable, two MC-130P Combat Shadows, three MH-53J Pave Low helicopters and three HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters deployed to the South African region.  There were more than 700 people deployed to Africa as part of the joint task force.

Relief operations focused on providing food, water and medical supplies to more than 650,000 people.  JTF personnel mapped "hot spots" where people were at risk.  Using infrared cameras, the U.S. contingent also identified road and rail breaks that could be repaired quickly to expedite aid delivery instead of relying almost solely on airlift. 

JTF Atlas Response was initially tasked to provide operational integration between all nations and agencies providing assistance and perform search and rescue missions.  JTF personnel used Keen Sage and pilot observations to assess the ability of roadways to support ground transportation.   

JTF Atlas Response made a significant contribution to the multinational relief effort in Mozambique. The American military was fully integrated into the multinational relief effort, and delivered more than one and one half million pounds of cargo, including more than one million pounds of humanitarian relief supplies, and flown more than 1,200 aid workers, assessment team members, U.S. military and other passengers in support of international relief operations.  During the operation 605 sorties, requiring 870.9 flying hours, were flown.

After the JTF Atlas Response commander and American Embassy officials in Maputo, in close consultation with the Mozambique government and non government organizations in Mozambique, determined military relief goals have been achieved and civilian organizations were better positioned to continue distributing relief supplies and  initiate resettlement and reconstruction efforts, the redeployment of military forces began.

The first 15 U.S. military personnel returned to RAF Mildenhall on March 24, and  U.S. military aircraft began departing  the following week as road conditions improved and additional commercial assets moved in to take their place.  The forward staging bases at Beira and Maputo were closed out March 28.  The MH-53 helicopters were loaded onto C-5 transport aircraft, which departed Hoedspruit AS March 28 and 29.  Most JTF personnel departed Hoedspruit on March 30.  The C-130 aircraft departing March 30 through April 1.  The HH-60 helicopters departed April 2 via C-5 Galaxy for Moody AFB, Ga., and the remaining mobility command and control personnel departed April 8. 

JTF Atlas Response was disestablished on April 11. 

The Department of State is the lead federal agency for international disaster relief efforts.  The State Department requests Department of Defense support to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and the National Command Authority authorizes relief support.  The U.S. Agency for International Development is the government's lead agency for providing disaster assistance.