ATW Daily News

US military joins Yemenia A310 search; transport minister defends airline

Friday July 3, 2009

US military personnel from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa have been deployed to assist with search-and-rescue operations for the Yemenia Yemen Airways A310-300 that crashed Monday in the Indian Ocean with 153 aboard (ATWOnline, July 2). CJTF-HOA, which is headquartered in Djibouti, and a Guardian Angels search-and-rescue team from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron will work with French Forces Comoros, the Comoros Coast Guard and Comoros National Police to aid in rescue efforts and continue the search for survivors. Only one survivor has been found so far. CJTF-HOA also has sent one HC-130 aircraft. A US Navy team of engineers will assist.

Meanwhile, Yemen Transport Minister Khaled Al Wazir blasted EU and French officials for questioning the carrier's safety standards, particularly regarding maintenance practices. "It is unfair to give these explanations because one cannot pre-judge Yemenia's technical performance in safety matters or those of any other airline before publication of the results of the [official accident] inquiry," he said at a news conference, adding that the Yemen government "reserves the right to take legal action against the parties deliberately seeking to damage the image of the Yemeni national airline."

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