German planes begin supply flights for anti-terror campaign, sharing burden with U.S. crews

By The Associated Press

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – German transport aircraft on Monday began flying humanitarian and military supplies to the Incirlik air base in Turkey, relieving some of the burden on U.S. Air Force crews.

A Luftwaffe C-160 Transall airplanes flew in to Ramstein Air Base at 10:30 a.m. from its base in northern Germany, was loaded with supplies, and took off about an hour later, according to Maj. Scott Vadnais, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force Europe. Two more were to fly in and out of the American base in the afternoon.

American planes had been flying the missions exclusively, along with almost daily flights from Ramstein to drop humanitarian rations over Afghanistan.

"This relieves some of the pressure," Vadnais said. "It helps out a great deal."

The first aircraft was loaded primarily with humanitarian aid, including a generator and blankets, but the flights will also be used to carry military goods such as aircraft parts and resupply items for bases, Vadnais said.

The German planes will be flying supplies to Turkey for an initial period of two months, according to the German Air Force.

Supplies brought to Incirlik are being distributed to bases in other areas including Central Asia by U.S aircraft, Vadnais said.

Germany has pledged up to 3,900 troops to the U.S.-led fight against terrorism, including special forces, ships, a medical evacuation unit and armored vehicles equipped to detect nuclear, chemical and germ warfare.

APNP-11-26-01 0735CST