USAF C-17 Aid Flight to Nepal 1
I am a pilot that was on the first American C-17 aid flight into Nepal. This is what we brought.
Interesting cargo from Fairfax, VA.
Redit Discussion about this trip.
I have no issue as a US Taxpayer seeing our money spent in this way. Much better to be helping others, than the other things our DoD is known to be doing.
Nepal
My friends know that I spent a few weeks in Nepal in 2013. Lived at a Buddhist Monastery and upgraded their WiFi networking. Monks need youtube. Nepal needed help BEFORE this earth quake. Now it is unbelievable how much help they need today and for the next 5 yrs. They are a poor country, but live very rich lives and are pretty much like you and I. Going to work, loving their families, raising their kids, trying to give them a better life.
If you can help Nepal recover, please do. That can be time, money, volunteering. Look for a charity that was in Nepal before this disaster and check out that most of the money goes directly to programs, not overhead. I’ve read about CARE, Singapore Red Cross and other organizations with a history of helping the Nepalese. NPR article on donating for Earthquake relief.
Update:
The Buddhist Monastery where I stayed has a Relief Fund Please give if you can. They know how to squeeze a penny.
A 1st hand account of the quake by Pam. Over 7000 dead now. It will take many years for Nepal to recover from this disaster.
Catch me sometime at the LUG if you’d like to hear any stories about Kathmandu, Pohkara, a 6 hr bus ride that turned into a 12 hr get-to-know-Nepal trip, Mt Everest, flying in Nepal (BANG! from the cockpit), or about the people of Nepal and the conditions there pre-earthquake. Potable water isn’t available from any taps there, as an example.
Most of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal have been destroyed, sadly. In a year or so, trekking there should be back to fantastic views, trails, and fun again. That is the best way I know to help long term – spending my tourist dollars there.
Unknown Nepalese Friend Status
I haven’t heard from any friends who live in Nepal yet. If any of you see this, please post or email so I know. Of course, we weren’t close friends, but when you travel with someone for a week, you do become closer than just acquaintances.
Good news! Heard a few weeks ago that my Nepalese friend has been in the USA. Guess that’s what happens when you loose touch. Need to track him down and get the poop about his family and our friends from Nepal. At least he’s safe.