Three U.S. Air Force transport aircraft landed in the quake-hit Chilean capital of Santiago on Tuesday. They carried everything necessary to set-up a field hospital.

About 86 personnel and 67 tons of equipment came on the mission, which is being sent to the Araucania region.

[Lieutenant Colonel Truss, U.S. Air Force]:
"We've all seen on television the affected areas and that's why all of us that are on this mission are happy to be here and to render assistance and to work with our our Chilean colleagues."

The mission was sent from the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

The hospital will be able to perform everything from surgeries to pediatric care.

[Alvaro Erazo, Chilean Health Minister]:
"It is one of the well-equipped hospitals but it has a large capability to adapt to any situation. Down there people will have a large necessity for primary care and so the ability of this hospital to be able to adapt to the requirements of the population is very important."

It will remain on-site for at least 60 days.