U.S. Army choppers carrying emergency food and water buzzed over the swollen river and washed-out bridges, landing in the valley once controlled by the Taliban.
They returned laden with grateful Pakistani flood survivors – newly won friends in a country where many regard America as the enemy.
“We have been waiting for this day for so long,” said Habib-ur-Rehman. “Thank you, America.”
(READ the AP story, w/ photos, in the Washington Post)