Audio: https://clyp.it/41wj0y45
Julio A. López, Editor-in-Chief.—U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported that the littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS-15) actively participates in international support operations for Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes of June 24.
The ship operates in the Caribbean Sea as part of the humanitarian effort coordinated by the U.S. Government and serves as a platform for an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48, which can transport personnel, conduct aerial reconnaissance, evacuate injured people, and move supplies to the affected areas.
According to SOUTHCOM, U.S. military forces assigned to the mission support assistance operations led by the U.S. Department of State, providing logistics, transportation, and rapid-response capabilities to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the communities most affected by the disaster.
The deployment of the USS Billings expands the operational capacity of the international coalition operating in Venezuela, enabling a permanent presence in the Caribbean Sea to coordinate resource flows, support rescue missions, and facilitate the distribution of essential equipment and supplies.
With this new naval component, the United States continues to strengthen its humanitarian response to the emergency, complementing the air and ground operations that international search-and-rescue teams have carried out across different regions of the country for several days.
