United States Agency for International Development (USAID) search and rescue squads arrived at Incirlik Air Base on Wednesday to help with earthquake efforts in Türkiye following the recent disaster, which affected 10 provinces.
U.S. Ambassador Jeff Flake welcomed the teams, which came from Los Angeles and Fairfax County.
"USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) will work in close coordination with Turkish authorities to conduct search and rescue operations in the hardest-hit areas while identifying other priority humanitarian needs," a press release said.
The team consists of 159 people, 12 rescue dogs and 77,110 kilograms (170,000 pounds) of specialized equipment, the press release said, adding that they will travel to the Adıyaman province in coordination with the Government of Türkiye.
The U.S. previously deployed 79-person teams in addition to personnel already on the ground to support Turkish search and rescue efforts, and to help address the needs of all those who have been hurt or displaced by the earthquake.
"USAID and the Pentagon are also now coordinating with their Turkish counterparts on additional assistance. And of course, U.S.-supported humanitarian partners are going to be responding to the destruction inside Syria," John Kirby told reporters on Monday.
Aid and condolences poured in from around the world as Türkiye reels from deadly earthquakes in its southern provinces.
US carrier in Mediterranean ready to assist Türkiye with earthquake response
The U.S. military transported two civilian urban search and rescue teams and moved a U.S. carrier in the Mediterranean Sea toward Türkiye, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
The development came after southern Turkish provinces were hit by strong earthquakes Monday.
Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said the George HW Bush carrier in the Mediterranean is also moving toward Türkiye to be in position if Türkiye requests additional assistance.
"So we're trying to do everything we can to lean forward, responsive to their request, and help them as they try to save lives," he told reporters at a news conference.
He said U.S. assets based at the Incirlik air base in Türkiye began transporting first responders to areas affected by the quake.
Adding that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) search and rescue teams sent to Türkiye with a C-17 plane, he said: "Those teams arrived on February 8, and will soon again aiding the relief efforts there."
Noting the U.S. European command is deploying a team to assist USAID's team, he said that they will arrive Feb. 9.
"EUCOM (US European Command) is actively working to pre position additional assets to support the relief efforts and respond to any new requests from the Turkish government," he said. "We offer our sincere condolences, and we'll stand with our allies that work to save lives and recover from this terrific disaster."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Ankara has received offers from the international community for aid, with at least 60 nations, alongside NATO and the EU, sending relief, medical aid, as well as condolences and prayers.
At least 9,057 people died, while 52,979 people were injured and 6,444 buildings were destroyed in Monday's earthquakes, considered to be one of the worst disasters of the century.