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Army-Air Force surgical team heads to Peru

A 30-member joint U.S. military mobile surgical team is deploying today to Peru to provide aid to victims of the powerful earthquake that struck the South American nation Aug. 15, U.S. Southern Command announced.

The deployment follows a disaster declaration issued Thursday by Peter Michael McKinley, U.S. Ambassador to Peru.

The 8.0-magnitude quake has left more than 500 dead and more than 1,500 injured. A magnitude 5.9 aftershock struck the nation earlier today. The worst damage is centered in the southern desert of Peru, about 125 miles southeast of the capital of Lima, according to the Associated Press.

The Army and Air Force team includes a general surgeon, anesthesiologist, general practitioner and assistants, nurses and technicians, and is being flown from its base in Honduras via an Air Force C-130 transport plane based in Puerto Rico.

“We want to extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Peru and the families affected by this tragic earthquake,” said Navy Adm. James Stavridis, the SouthCom commander. “As a partner nation and close friend of Peru, we stand ready to assist with those resources and capabilities at our disposal.”

The team will work with the U.S. Embassy and Peruvian defense and health officials to provide specialized medical care where needed, the command said.

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