A Special Purpose Marine Air - Ground Task Force partnered with the American Red Cross to deliver supplies to Hurricane Harvey victims in Beaumont, Texas Sept. 2, 2017.
"The number of Marines who volunteered for this mission is amazing," said Maj. Taylor Drake, Headquarters Battery, 14th Marine Regiment commander. "Although there are only 50 of us on ground, hundreds volunteered for the opportunity to help their fellow Texans."
Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) - Harvey Response is a crisis response unit. It is comprised of several Marine Corps Reserve units stationed throughout the state of Texas. This task force's primary objective is to provide assistance after this natural disaster.
Drake said the Marines on this mission are supporting the American Red Cross by distributing supplies in hard-to-reach areas affected by the storm. The ARC's goal, to prevent and alleviate human suffering, aligns with the Marines' desires.
The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey has displaced thousands of families along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Providing relief to those displaced is difficult for the ARC because it doesn't always have the means to move supplies through areas affected by natural disasters.
"We have the supplies, " said Jolene Carpenter, the site director of operations management with the American Red Cross. "But we do not have the capability to go in the high-water areas, vehicle wise."
Even though more than 30 inches of rain have fallen in some areas of Texas, the Marines were able to organize a 22-vehicle convoy that traveled to an ARC distribution point in Houston. From there, the Marines loaded, transported and helped distribute supplies to help over 1,000 families in the Beaumont, Texas area.
"This mission fits well within our capabilities," said Drake. "In the (14th Marine Regiment), we are very efficient in conducting convoy operations and transporting equipment."
The Special Purpose MAGTF is scheduled to deliver more than 5,000 pounds of supplies for the American Red Cross over the next few days.
"The partnership with the Marines to get supplies is imperative," said Carpenter. "We have the materials and the Marine Corps has the capabilities to get it there."
| Date Taken: |
09.02.2017 |
| Date Posted: |
09.02.2017 17:33 |
| Story ID: |
247037 |
| Location: |
HEMPSTEAD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: |
310 |
| Downloads: |
2 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Marines aid relief efforts, move supplies to displaced families, by SFC Jazmin Billings, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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