Update: Marine Corps continues relief efforts in Philippines

Photo By Matthew Manning | Marines load a KC-130J Hercules aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma bound for the Republic of the Philippines on Dec. 8 to assist in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Bopha. The aircraft provides the lift capacity and capability to transport personnel and relief supplies to areas where they are needed. Personnel with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, already located in the Philippines and serving as the III Marine Expeditionary Force Forward Command Element, will help provide assistance as requested to areas affected by the typhoon in support of ongoing relief efforts by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The aircraft and Marines are with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF.  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

12.11.2012

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, Japan – At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, the U.S. government is assisting with humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Bopha (Pablo) which made landfall on Dec. 4.

Two KC-130s from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152), III Marine Expeditionary Force, arrived in Manila from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa Dec 8. The aircraft are transporting relief supplies to the affected areas.

VMGR-152 has flown a total of six flights and transported approximately 202,300 lbs. of relief supplies, including 14,500 family packs, 500 relief aid boxes and 40 generators.

Relief supplies were transported from MCAS Futenma to Villamor Air Base, close to the disaster area, where the supplies were given to displaced families affected by the typhoon and distributed by U.S. Department of Defense Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA).

The U.S. military is providing air transport and other assistance in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the OHDACA Program to support the relief effort led by the Government of the Philippines.

U.S. military personnel, including III MEF Marines, who were in the Philippines, attending a planning event for exercise Balikatan ’13, were redirected to assist with the response effort. Balikatan is the largest annual U.S.-Philippines military exercise, which focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

The Philippine government and military have led the effort to protect and help its citizens during this typhoon. The U.S. military has partnered and trained with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for many years in humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

High-resolution photos of Marine Corps relief efforts in the Philippines are available in a dedicated photo album link listed below:

• Date Taken: 12.11.2012
• Date Posted: 12.11.2012 00:43
• Story ID: 99065
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, JP