Task Force-West continues Super Typhoon Yutu relief efforts

SAIPAN, COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, UNITED STATES

11.15.2018

Story by 2nd Lt. Brigitte Brantley 

Joint Region Marianas

CAPITOL HILL, Saipan (Nov. 15, 2018) - Three weeks after Super Typhoon Yutu struck Saipan and Tinian, Task Force-West continues to provide Department of Defense support to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands' civil and local officials as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency-support recovery efforts, which began Oct. 25 immediately following the storm.

During Defense Support to Civil Authorities operations, the U.S. military
provides essential support to American citizens affected by declared natural
disasters. TF-W continues to focus its relief efforts in support of FEMA and
the CNMI in five primary areas: road clearing and debris translocation,
temporary housing solutions, bulk water operations, providing a federal
staging area, and loading, unloading, and transporting cargo, personnel, and equipment.

Below is an updated summary of DoD support as of Nov. 14, 2018:

- U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has deployed a Defense Coordinating Officer and a Defense Coordinating Element to the Joint Field Office in Saipan, CNMI, to actively identify and posture forces for Super Typhoon Yutu response. These DCO/Es are specially-trained military officers who provide DoD regional knowledge, requirements validation, and liaison support in order to facilitate timely and effective military responses to FEMA-generated Mission Assignments.

- The DoD is currently executing 15 open mission assignments with four being closed out.

- More than 400 tents have been erected on Saipan and Tinian as part of the Temporary Emergency Tent and Roofing Installation Support (T.E.T.R.I.S.) program.

- More than 300,000 gallons of drinkable water have been distributed.

- Over 150 miles of roads have been cleared of debris, to include all major
roads.

- There are approximately 900 DoD personnel on the ground in Saipan and
Tinian supporting Super Typhoon Yutu relief efforts to include active duty,
Reserve and Guard service members from all branches of service within
USINDOPACOM. The specific numbers continue to change day to day as the force structure fluctuates.

- Military units that have provided personnel and support include:

- USINDOPACOM:
- Joint Region Marianas
- U. S. Army Pacific
- Marine Corps Forces Pacific
- Pacific Air Forces
- U. S. Pacific Fleet
- U.S. Navy:
- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One
- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25
- USS Ashland (LSD-48)
- Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron 3
- USNS Soderman
- USNS Dahl
- USNS Wheeler
- USNS Fast Tempo
- USNS Glenn
- USNS Pililaau
- Submarine Squadron 15
- Naval Facilities Engineering Command
- U.S. Army:
- 9th Mission Support Command
- Guam Army National Guard
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Air Force:
- 36th Contingency Response Group
- 36th Communications Squadron
- 36th Mobility Response Squadron
- 36th Civil Engineer Squadron
- 644th Combat Communications Squadron
- 673d Air Base Wing
- 1st Combat Camera Squadron
- U.S. Marine Corps:
- 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
- Combat Logistics Battalion 31
- Marine Corps Activity Guam
- U.S. Coast Guard:
- U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam
- CGC Sequoia (WLB 215)
- CGC Washington (WPB 1331)
- CGC Kiska (WPB 1336)

• Date Taken: 11.15.2018
• Date Posted: 11.15.2018 16:45
• Story ID: 300175
• Location: SAIPAN, COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, US