UPDATE II:
By U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs:
Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, directed the activation of the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) Nov. 13 to be ready to support ongoing disaster relief efforts in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
Berthed in San Diego, USNS Mercy has been in a reduced operating status, which is normal for a hospital ship. Harris’ activation order accelerates Mercy’s ability to attain full operating status to include moving necessary personnel and equipment to the ship.
If ordered to deploy, Mercy would get underway in the next several days and could arrive in the Philippines sometime in December, joining other U.S. Pacific Fleet units already supporting Operation Damayan.
In this file photo, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) sits off the coast of Samar, Philippines, during U.S. Pacific Fleet’s annual disaster preparedness response mission, Pacific Partnership, in July 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Feddersen)
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UPDATE I:
The U.S. military continues to provide humanitarian aid and disaster assistance to the Philip[pines in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan.
The following are updates as briefed by Pentagon Press Secretary George Little today.
Super Typhoon Haiyan has affected more than 4.2 million people across 36 provinces in the Philippines, according to the Philippine government’s national disaster risk reduction and management council.
More than 250 U.S. service members from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade are on the ground operating from Philippine air bases Clark and Villamor.
They are supported by five KC-130 transport aircraft and four MV-22 Ospreys, with additional transport aircraft expected in the next few days…As of last night, the Marines reported that they had delivered 107,000 pounds of relief supplies to the government of the Philippines.
Two U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 prepare for a search and rescue mission in the Republic of the Philippines in support of humanitarian assistance efforts after Typhoon Haiyan. (U.S. Navy photo)
The priorities for aid are potable water, food, shelter, hygiene products and medical supplies.
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington and other U.S. Navy ships home-ported in Yokosuka, Japan, are making best possible speed for the Philippines and are expected to arrive in the area tomorrow.
Capt. Tom Disy, commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), speaks to local media about Antietam and the George Washington Carrier Strike Group’s plans to provide humanitarian relief to the Republic of Philippines in response to Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Declan Barnes)
Numerous other U.S. military vessels and aircraft are headed toward the devastated region, the press secretary told reporters.
Embarked on George Washington is Carrier Air Wing 5, with more than 80 aircraft, including 11 helicopters. The George Washington can produce more than 400,000 gallons of fresh water per day.
Additionally, the cruisers USS Antietam, USS Cowpens, and the destroyers, USS Mustin, USS McCampbell and USS Lassen will join the supply ship USNS Charles Drew, which already is underway.
Pentagon officials are continuing to work closely with the State Department and the Philippine government to determine whether additional assets may be required….
U.S. Marines guide a few of hundreds of thousands of people displaced by Typhoon Haiyan off an MV-22B Osprey at Villamor Air Base, Philippines, Nov. 12, 2013. The Osprey can take off vertically and convert to a fixed-wing aircraft, providing a unique capability in humanitarian operations. The U.S Marines, assigned to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, are supporting Philippines efforts in the wake of the deadly typhoon.
“I want to emphasize that the support we are providing to the Philippines is a whole-of-U.S.-government response, not just DOD,” he said. “Relief supplies are on their way to the Philippines from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s warehouse in Dubai.”
There are enough emergency shelter materials and basic hygiene supplies in this shipment to help 10,000 families, he said.
Original Post:
As the United States and our troops did after the Haiti earthquake, after the Japan earthquake and tsunami and after so many other natural disasters, they are once again providing humanitarian assistance and disaster support in the wake of SuperTyphoon Haiyan, one of the most devastating typhoons on record.
According to the American Forces Press Service, about 90 U.S. Marines and sailors are already on the ground in the Philippines providing humanitarian assistance and disaster support.
U.S. Marines carry an injured Filipino man off the back of a KC-130J Super Hercules at Villamor Air Base, Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 11, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen D. Himes
In addition, members of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade deployed yesterday from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, with two KC-130J Hercules aircraft from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
A forward command element and humanitarian assistance survey team also is deploying to the Philippines from Okinawa to provide an initial assessment on the support required.
Marines board a KC-130J Hercules aircraft Nov. 10, 2013, at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, moments before departing for a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey
The initial focus of U.S. relief efforts includes surface and airborne maritime search and rescue, medium-heavy helicopter lift support, fixed-wing lift support and logistics enablers.
This includes requests for the Marine Corps’ KC-130 cargo aircraft and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. The MV-22 provides a unique capability and is ideal in this type of operation, officials noted. With its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, it can operate in austere environments. Its ability to convert quickly to fixed-wing configuration gives it greatly increased speed and range over traditional rotary wing aircraft, they said.
An MV-22B Osprey circles the airfield before landing to join efforts in assisting the Philippine government in aid and relief operations at Vilamor Air Base, Manila, Philippines, Nov. 11, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo
Super Typhoon Haiyan has impacted more than 4.2 million people across 36 provinces in the Philippines, according to the Philippine government’s national disaster risk reduction and management council. More details about casualties and damage are expected in the coming days as transportation and communications systems are repaired.
Today, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel ordered the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and other U.S. Navy ships to make best speed for the Republic of the Philippines.
The aircraft carrier, which carries 5,000 Sailors and more than 80 aircraft, is currently in Hong Kong for a port visit. The crew is being recalled early from shore leave and the ship is expected to be underway later this evening.
In company with the carrier will be the cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Cowpens (CG 63), and the destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89). The supply ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) is already underway and will rendezvous with the group as they get closer. USS Lassen (DDG 82) got underway yesterday for the region. Embarked on board USS George Washington, is Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5).
A KC-130J Super Hercules carrying U.S. Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade taxies toward the terminal with guidance from a Philippine airman at Villamor Air Base, Phillippines, Nov. 10, 2013. The Marines are assigned to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and the KC-130J aircraft are assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 3. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Joshua Diddams
CVW-5 is a collection of aircraft designed to perform various functions including disaster relief and includes the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 flying the MH-60S Seahawk; and the “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 flying the MH-60R Seahawk.
As needed, these ships and aircraft will be able to provide humanitarian assistance, supplies, and medical care in support of the ongoing efforts led by the government and military of the Republic of the Philippines.
The ships should be on station within 48-72 hours.
Lead image: U.S. Marines help displaced Filipinos from the back of a KC-130J Super Hercules at Vilamor Air Base, Manila, Philippines, Nov. 11, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo
Sources: Marines Provide Disaster Response in Philippines and Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary George Little on Additional DoD Support to the Republic of the Philippines
