U.S. rescuers, doctors head to Iran quake area

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — U.S. physicians and a rescue crew trained to search for survivors amid the wreckage of terrorist attacks and natural disasters headed to Iran on Saturday to help in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake.

The 73 members of Virginia Task Force One left late Saturday afternoon from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, but their plane returned about an hour later after smoke was detected in the cargo area. A base spokesman said no problems were found, and the plane was to leave later Saturday night.

Sixty doctors and other medical experts from the Boston area, known as the International Medical Surgical Response Team, departed from Westover Joint Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass. They were scheduled to arrive in Iran today.

The 71-member California Task Force Two, composed primarily of Los Angeles County firefighters, had been set to leave as well but was placed on 24-hour standby, said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carlos Arispe.

National Security Council officials decided to delay the flight after Iranian officials said they did not need additional rescue assistance, said Los Angeles County fire Battalion Chief Terry DeJournett.

The California team included hazardous materials experts, paramedics, five search and rescue dogs and their handlers, and one medical doctor, said Los Angeles County fire Capt. Gil Sanchez.

Members of the team, one of only two in the United States to win a contract from the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide overseas disaster assistance, had spent six weeks in training to qualify for membership.

"They were really psyched about going. When you train for a mission or a skill, even if you don't wish harm on anyone, you're anxious to apply that skill," said Los Angeles County fire Battalion Chief John Tripp. "We fought hard to get this."

The magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit early Friday just outside the ancient Iranian city of Bam. Tens of thousands of people were feared dead in the rubble of homes and buildings, most constructed with unreinforced mud brick.

"What we're trying to do is find people alive and pull them to safety," said Dan Schmidt, spokesman for Virginia Task Force One. "We've got equipment that will help us listen for people and also be able to see people once we're able to get equipment into spots."

The U.S. search-and-rescue teams' equipment includes special cameras that can fit in tight crevices to search for survivors. Several local fire departments also volunteered search dogs for the effort, officials said.