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SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — The 21st Air Expeditionary Wing supported Defense Support of Civil Authorities operations through post-Typhoon Sinlaku recovery efforts by assisting with rebuilding initiatives, establishing resource base operations and providing direct support to local communities through cleanup projects on Tinian and Saipan from May 27 to July 1.
Working alongside local officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Reserve, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local contractors, 21st Combat Air Base Squadron Airmen provided manpower and logistical support to help communities recover from widespread typhoon damage.
Their efforts focused on restoring essential public spaces, removing debris, establishing temporary shelters for displaced residents, and improving conditions for communities impacted by the typhoon while reinforcing the U.S. military’s commitment to supporting civil authorities during disaster response operations.
Within 48 hours of arriving in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Airmen established coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and interagency partners to begin supporting recovery efforts.
Teams quickly transitioned from deployment to field operations, drawing on expeditionary training to begin assisting displaced residents and restoring affected communities.
“Our primary objective was to coordinate with FEMA and work alongside the U.S. Army Reservists to provide disaster relief by setting up temporary tents for displaced citizens on their own properties while also removing storm-generated debris to reduce hazards and make roads safe for travel," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Leandro Matos, 21st CABS supply noncommissioned officer in charge and Saipan debris removal team lead. “Our previous training allowed us to get boots on the ground quickly and begin supporting the community almost immediately.”
Throughout the mission, the 21st CABS supported a temporary shelter program led by the U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The program identified locations requiring temporary shelters and debris removal, while Airmen assembled teams and coordinated with sister services to execute recovery operations across the islands.
Airmen helped load trucks each day with debris and set up tents based on FEMA tasking. In addition to shelter support, teams worked alongside local contractors to clear debris from residential neighborhoods and public facilities, loading trucks with storm debris for transport to designated disposal sites.
Recovery operations included removing debris, fallen vegetation, damaged metal materials and storm-damaged household appliances.
On Saipan alone, Airmen helped restore two elementary schools and one university by removing hazards that prevented the safe use of educational facilities. The teams also adapted to changing weather conditions, evolving work sites and communication challenges while maintaining mission effectiveness. Leaders relied on previous expeditionary experience and close coordination between military and civilian agencies to ensure work continued safely and efficiently.
In other locations such as Tinian, 21st CABS Airmen worked closely with local community members to remove storm debris and assist with recovery projects for public spaces and damaged infrastructure. Teams cleared beaches, supported cleanup efforts at the local marina and removed downed trees, damaged roofing materials and other storm-generated debris by hand and with power tools.
“Throughout the mission, our Airmen maintained a positive attitude despite the extreme heat because they understood the importance of helping the community recover,” said Senior Master Sgt. Mark Hathaway, 21st CABS operations flight superintendent. “Seeing families return to the beach just days after we completed the cleanup showed the impact our work had on the island.”
The team removed multiple tons of debris, with a minimum of 15,000 pounds on the beach alone and helped stage sections of a boat dock that had been washed nearly 400 feet inland so they could be reused. For many Airmen, the mission reinforced the value of teamwork and expeditionary readiness while providing direct support to the local community.
“Most of the debris was too heavy for any one person to move alone, so every task required teamwork,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Milan Herbold, 21st CABS water and fuels maintenance journeyman. “Watching the beaches return to a place where the community could gather again made the long workdays’ worth it and seeing our progress each day reminded us that our efforts helped the people of Tinian recover.”
These efforts improved the safety and functionality of community facilities while accelerating recovery efforts in areas heavily affected by the typhoon. The collaboration demonstrated the value of partnerships between military personnel, local leaders and federal agencies in responding to natural disasters. Both locations highlighted the expeditionary capabilities of the 21st AEW and its ability to rapidly organize personnel and resources in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery operations.
“Our partnership with federal agencies and local communities allowed us to deliver support where it was needed most, reflecting exactly what expeditionary readiness is designed to accomplish,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nathaniel White, 21st CABS commander. “Missions like this strengthen our partnerships, reinforce our commitment to the Indo-Pacific, and demonstrate that we are prepared to respond whenever our allies and partners need assistance.”
| Date Taken: | 06.29.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2026 08:39 |
| Story ID: | 572029 |
| Location: | MP |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 21st AEW answers the call for Typhoon Sinlaku relief, by SrA Alondra Cristobal Hernandez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
