Marines, Sailors conduct quick response drill on Okinawa

Photo By Cpl. Juan Bustos | U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force, Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force (ACM) chain down equipment during an ACM drill at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, May 5, 2017. The ACM must be prepared to respond within 24 hours to crises throughout the Asian pacific region to mitigate crises, protect U.S. citizens, and territories, or counter threats to U.S. national interests as needed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Juan C. Bustos)  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.05.2017

Story by Sgt. Ally Beiswanger 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa, Japan — With typhoon season approaching, Marines and Sailors began preparing for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in the Pacific.

The 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade held an Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force drill here, May 5, 2017, to reduce response time to any crisis in the region.

The ACM was alerted, and a Crisis Action Team formed to respond to the crisis drill. They created a Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team that can deploy at a moment’s notice. The JHAST’s ability to quickly deploy has the potential to save lives around the world, said U.S. Navy Lt. Arthur Rosetti, a medical planner with 3d MEB.

“This matters to me because, as a Filipino-American born and raised in the Philippines, I still have family there,” said Rosetti. “It makes a big difference if we can quickly help the people.”

Prior to the drill, the Marines and Sailors prepared for sudden deployment by going through the Joint Humanitarian Operations Course, the Humanitarian Assistance Response Training course, and Underwater Egress Training.

The ACM, which has responded to crises in Nepal, the Philippines and Japan, will continue to be ready to operate in the region, said U.S. Marine Capt. Chun H. Park, a deputy current operations officer assigned to G-3 Operations, 3d MEB.

“I think this drill is very important in this region, because if there is a humanitarian disaster, then I think it would be important that our allies understand and know that we will respond quickly, within hours, to help them out,” said Park.

• Date Taken: 05.05.2017
• Date Posted: 05.08.2017 04:25
• Story ID: 232969
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP