 the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff |
Staff Reporter
The top U.S. military commander promised Tuesday to dispatch helicopters for search-and-rescue and medical evacuation to the West Sea to help South Korean divers in their search for dozens of missing sailors.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the promise when he was talking with Gen. Lee Sang-eui, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Ministry of National Defense said.
Lee expressed thanks to the ongoing U.S. support to retrieve the wreckage of the frigate Cheonan, which sank after an unexplained explosion during a nighttime mission. The ship split into two and the two halves are lying on the sea bed, but bad weather has prevented military divers from reaching them.
Gen. Lee asked Mullen to send helicopters to help wounded rescuers be transported for medical treatment, ministry officials said.
Mullen expressed deep condolences over the incident and pledged active support, they said.
A U.S. Salvage ship and three other vessels ― a guided missile cruiser and two destroyers ― are on site to help with search and recovery operations.
The American vessels were in the area already as part of a regional naval exercise with the Koreans called Foal Eagle, according to U.S. military officials.
The USNS Salvor, a salvage ship, arrived late Sunday with 16 Navy divers.
The other U.S. ships are there for command-and-control operations or are on standby as South Korea leads the recovery effort. The group of American vessels has at least three SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters for search and rescue.
gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr
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