31st MEU Marines, sailors will stay in Saipan during inclement weather

SAIPAN, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

08.15.2015

Courtesy Story

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit       

SAIPAN - Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit will stay in Saipan and continue typhoon relief efforts despite the incoming tropical storm. The Marines have moved from their campsite near the port to weather resistant buildings further inland and will resume their tasks when the weather clears.

The USS Ashland (LSD 48), which has been supporting the Marines since they arrived in Saipan, Aug. 7, went underway to take to the safety of the seas before the forecasted tropical storm hit the island, but will return once the storm has passed.

“Our Marines and sailors have trained to accomplish the mission in any clime and place,” said Col. Romin Dasmalchi, the 31st MEU commanding officer. “The incoming storm may cause us to pause the relief efforts, but Marines and sailors will be back to delivering water and clearing debris as soon as the weather allows.”

Water distribution and debris clearance efforts will continue until forced to stop by the storm. Relief operations will resume as the weather clears.

"We are one team,” said Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Coordinating Officer Steve DeBlasio, “FEMA will continue to work with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, and our federal partners until the response and recovery mission for (the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) is complete.”

The 31st MEU and the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group were conducting regularly scheduled training in the Asia-Pacific region when they were redirected to support the relief efforts after Saipan was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3.

Media queries concerning the 31st MEU’s participation in typhoon recovery operations may be directed to Capt. Jennifer Giles, 31st MEU Public Affairs Officer at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 08.15.2015
• Date Posted: 08.15.2015 08:44
• Story ID: 173307
• Location: SAIPAN, MP