US Green Berets join in Nepal earthquake relief

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says two teams of U.S. Army Green Beret soldiers happened to be in Nepal when the deadly earthquake struck Saturday and are staying to help with search and relief efforts.

A Pentagon spokesman, Col. Steve Warren, says the 26 U.S. soldiers were in Nepal for high-altitude and other training with the Nepalese army. The 11-person crew of a C-130 cargo plane that brought them to Nepal also is remaining in case of a request to evacuate any American citizens in the affected area.

In addition, Warren says that a second U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane departed Monday from March Air Force Base in California to transport members of a Los Angeles urban search and rescue team to Nepal. It is due to arrive there Tuesday.

Secretary of State John Kerry is telling reporters in New York that the US aid to Nepal has grown from $1 million to $10 million.