Senator John Kerry visits Ghazi Aviation Base during humanitarian efforts in Pakistan

Photo By Capt. Paul Duncan | Senator John Kerry speaks with Lt. Col. Todd Oneto, commanding officer of HMM-165 (REIN), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit during his visit to the Ghazi Aviation base during humanitarian relief efforts in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan (formerly known as the Northwest Frontier province, Pakistan).  

GHAZI, PAKISTAN

08.19.2010

Courtesy Story

15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

GHAZI, Pakistan – The Marines and sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Navy pilots from HM-15 DET 2 received a brief visit today from Senator John Kerry during humanitarian relief efforts in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.

“America is extremely proud of the hard work you are doing to relieve the suffering here in Pakistan,” said Kerry.

The Senator spent an hour and a half at the Ghazi Aviation Base where he met with sailors and Marines from the 15th MEU, and members of the Pakistan army.

“We had an excellent visit from Senator Kerry, the American Ambassador to Pakistan, and the Pakistani ambassador,” said Brig Gen Nagata, commanding officer of the Office of Defense Representative (Forward), Pakistan. “The visit included a short address to the American and Pakistani servie members and we were very happy to receive him,” said Nagata.

The senator spoke to both U.S. and Pakistani service members, received a brief from Pakistan army leadership and announced that the U.S. will be sending additional funding to assist with the relief effort.

The 15th MEU is currently deployed with the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group performing training and real world missions as part of their routine deployment across the Western Pacific.

• Date Taken: 08.19.2010
• Date Posted: 08.20.2010 13:18
• Story ID: 54919
• Location: GHAZI, PK