Operation Avid Response

The earthquake, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, centered near Izmit, approximately 65 miles east of Istanbul, left an estimated 600,000 people homeless and damaged over 54,000 buildings, with up to 35,000 needing demolition.

[1] Beginning on August 29, U.S. European Command (EUCOM) facilitated three shipments of relief supplies and tents via ferry, with a combined capacity to shelter more than 100,000 people.

Additionally, three U.S. Navy warships from the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) amphibious ready group, accompanied by the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) comprising 2,100 Marines, were deployed to Izmit to provide humanitarian and medical assistance.

In response to Turkish government requests to U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard firefighting planes were prepared for deployment to contain oil refinery fires, although Turkish firefighters ultimately managed to bring the blazes under control before U.S. assistance was required.

These relief efforts prioritized search and rescue operations followed by the provision of shelter, food, medical care, and essential services.