ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON — As soon as Navy pilot Matthew Stafford puts his helicopter down in the village of Borongan, he is rushed by dozens of local men who form a line to unload the supplies he has flown in from the USS George Washington aircraft carrier.
On the Philippine islands of Leyte and Samar that were shattered by Typhoon Haiyan, there is no doubt about it: the US military has been a godsend.
But while US military support can be critical when during disasters, staging massive humanitarian relief missions for allies isn't just about being a good neighbor. They can be a strategic and publicity goldmine for US troops whose presence in Asia isn't always portrayed in such a favorable light — and a powerful warning to countries that aren't on board.