Military Airlifts Supplies, Displaced People in Philippines

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Wright | Displaced Filipino and other international personnel prepare for takeoff inside a C-17 Globemaster III with the 535th Air Lift Squadron out of Hickam Field, Honolulu, HI, for transport to Manila from Tacloban Air Field, Nov. 15. The supply drop-off and personnel loading was the first use of the C-17 during Operation Damayan, able to carry significantly more supplies and displaced persons than the C-130 Hercules aircraft currently being utilized. To date, the multi-national force has delivered more than 623,000 pounds of relief aid. The 3rd MEB is currently supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines in providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief to areas affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.  

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

11.14.2013

Courtesy Story

Defense.gov         

U.S. military assets have delivered approximately 623,000 pounds of relief supplies provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development since the start of Operation Damayan, the relief effort in support of the government of the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

In addition to the delivery of relief supplies, U.S. military aircraft have logged nearly 480 flight hours in 186 aircraft sorties, moved nearly 1,200 relief workers into Tacloban and have airlifted nearly 2,900 displaced people from the affected areas to date.

Over the last 24 hours, more than 118 tons of food, water and shelter items have been delivered to Tacloban, Borongan and Guiuan -- some of the hardest-hit regions.

A joint contingent of more than 600 U.S. military personnel is currently ashore in the Philippines; the USS George Washington Strike Group has more than 6,200 sailors supporting air operations. An additional 1,000 Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are expected to arrive in approximately five days.

At the request of the government of the Philippines, international military forces in the region are also ramping up their support. Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan are currently providing aircraft and/or medical personnel to assist in the relief operations.

Similar military support from Brunei, Great Britain, New Zealand and Thailand is also expected.

Story by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific News Release

• Date Taken: 11.14.2013
• Date Posted: 07.03.2025 11:36
• Story ID: 507188
• Location: WASHINGTON, US