The U.N.’s Mr. Stingy now says our military assets–helicopters, boats, and other transport equipment–are “worth their weight in gold.”

You’re welcome, ingrate.

Meanwhile, The Diplomad reports on an outrageous suggestion from a local U.N. rep that our military personnel in Aceh (as well as Australians helping out with air ops) take off their uniforms and put on U.N. blue helmets instead. Diplomad writes:

Now you all know that The Diplomad is not a cynical or suspicious being, but there is something funny going on here . . . what could it be? Could it be a genuine concern for local “cultural and political sensitivities” that would be offended by the presence of Aussies and Yanks in their own military uniforms saving thousands of lives? Maybe . . . or, might it not be an odd coincidence that just after the infamous Mr. Anan (see prior posts) says the UN will be setting up air traffic control in Aceh, the UN wants to show that it has an ATC system operating? What better way than to continue in the UN tradition of taking credit for others’ work? And this just before Mr. Anan arrives in Indonesia on January 6.

Grrrr.

Update: U.S. Navy personnel from the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group are leading relief efforts in Banda Aceh. There are some great pictures of our sailors and helicopters hard at work here. A sample:

Update II: There are even better photos on the Navy’s website here. (Thanks to reader James for the tip.) I especially like this one of Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Savoy preparing bread in the bakery aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) for tsunami survivors…

Update III: Bill Quick contrasts Indonesian reaction to Americans in 2001 and today.

And Stars and Stripes has more details on the humanitarian and disaster relief efforts of our American servicemembers:

With assessment teams on the ground and Joint Task Force 536 moving into place, led by Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman, commander of the Okinawa-based III Marine Expeditionary Force, American servicemembers are distributing food, water and medical supplies to victims of the tragedy and aiding in the search for possible survivors. A Marine spokesman on Okinawa said servicemembers and supplies are continuously being pushed out to help in the massive humanitarian-relief mission. Six flights left the island Saturday, carrying Humvees, Meals, Ready to Eat, water and communications gear.

As heavy snow fell New Year’s Eve on Yokota Air Base, Japan, officials there sent another C-130 to Utapao, Thailand. On Saturday, a C-17 from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., followed suit. Both carried additional equipment and supplies for the Southeast Asia effort, 374th Airlift Wing officials said.

Seven C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft have transported about 150 troops, equipment and humanitarian supplies to the forward-operating base at Utapao, which is being used as a regional airlift hub. The aircraft will remain for an indefinite period, delivering supplies to more remote locations.

The deployed airmen represent personnel from maintenance, medical, finance, aircrew and communications units. They’ve hauled about 49 tons of cargo and humanitarian supplies to affected regions…

The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard will provide aid to the region, along with elements from its expeditionary strike group including the USS Duluth, USS Milius, USS Rushmore, USS Bunker Hill, USS Thach and USCG Munro…There are 2,100 Marines and 1,400 sailors embarked aboard the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Conway said.

Strong said a 43-member Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit is expected to arrive in Medan, Indonesia, within the next three days.

The team includes military and Defense Department epidemiologists, entomologists and lab technicians ? with 31 from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the remaining 12 from Japan and the U.S. mainland…

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