Libya humanitarian relief

Airmen from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and a Critical Care Air Transport Team from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center unload wounded Libyan fighters from a C-130J Hercules on Oct. 29, 2011, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. At the request of the Department of State and directed by the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Africa Command supported U.S. and international humanitarian relief efforts in Libya. Specifically, the U.S. military transported four wounded Libyans for treatment in medical facilities in Europe and 28 to the United States. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)

Libyan fighters receive U.S. medical treatment

Published Oct. 31, 2011
By American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government brought two dozen Libyan fighters to the United States for medical treatment they cannot receive at home. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced the movement Oct. 27.

Clinton and Panetta released the statement seven days after Libyans captured, and then killed dictator Moammar Ghadafi, who ruled Libya for 42 years. The statement is in response to a request from the Transitional National Council, the acting interim government of Libya.

Here is the statement in its entirety:

"After months of struggle and sacrifice, the Libyan people have liberated their country with the support of the United States and the international community. The violent dictator and his regime have collapsed. But Libya's new freedom has come at a price in human life and suffering. Just as the United States and the international community stood with the Libyan people during the revolution, we continue to work with Libya to address urgent humanitarian needs.

"Saturday (Oct. 28), in response to a request by the Transitional National Council, the United States is transporting 24 seriously wounded fighters to Spaulding Hospital in Boston, Mass. An additional six critical cases will be transferred to Germany for immediate care. All of these patients were injured as a result of recent fighting and suffer from conditions that cannot currently be treated in Libya.

"The United States offers this humanitarian gesture of emergency medical evacuation assistance as a small token of our support, because we are committed to Libya's future. We will continue to stand by the people of Libya and support them as a partner and friend as they build a new, democratic future."