Operation Assured Delivery

Operation Assured Delivery was the United States Armed Forces' humanitarian response to humanitarian needs in Georgia following the Russo-Georgian War in 2008. The logistical operation provided medical supplies, shelter, food and hygiene provisions for the civilian population of Georgia.

U.S. Air Force
As of August 27, 2008, the U.S. Air Force had flown 55 airlift sorties transporting 1,944,000 pounds of supplies since 13 August.

U.S. Navy
As of August 27, 2008, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS McFaul had delivered 155,000 pounds of supplies to the port of Batumi. In addition, the command ship USS Mount Whitney arrived in the Georgian port of Poti on September 5 with additional supplies.

U.S. Coast Guard
As of August 27, 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Dallas had delivered 76,000 pounds of assistance for refugees.

Russian reaction
In late August 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused the States of using Operation Assured Delivery as a cover for delivering military support to Georgia. Media reports have suggested that USS McFaul docked in the Georgian-controlled port of Batumi, rather than the primary Georgian port of Poti which was controlled by Russians in order to prevent encounter with the Russian military. Several Russian warships were deployed to Poti at the same time as Americans arrived.

However, the USS Mount Whitney docked in Poti on 5 September 2008. American military spokesman stated that the right of inspection of the ship would be denied to the Russian military. Russian authorities were concerned about the ship's arrival, claiming that the ship were bringing significant U.S. military weapons. The Russian Black Sea Fleet source also noted that it was command-and-control vessel in charge of other NATO ships in the Black Sea.