Unnoticed Relief Effort.

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Date: 01 November 2000

The largest humanitarian operation in Africa in a decade went largely unnoticed in the United States earlier this year, while public interest riveted instead on the plight of a young Cuban castaway named Elian Gonzales, according to Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph H. Wehrle Jr.

The U.S. Third Air Force--which Wehrle commanded at the time--helped deliver 2 million pounds of sorely needed relief supplies to flood-stricken Mozambique. The effort eventually involved 800 U.S. military personnel, lasted...