Photo By Sgt. Leona Hendrickson | Soldiers from Task Force Phoenix - Orion, 3rd Military Information Support BN (A) set...... read more read more
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A combined force made up of members of 9th Military Information Support Battalion (A) and 3rd Military Information Support Battalion (A) from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, has made itself heard around the island of St. Thomas, Sep. 14.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma devastating effects on the island, Task Force Phoenix – Orion, in the territory since late Tuesday, has partnered with the Virgin Islands National Guard and agencies such as Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, and Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency to get information out to the community about where they can go for food and water distribution, medical assistance, and evacuation shelters.
“We have been on the ground for 36 hours,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Dean, 9th Military Information Support BN. “We hit the ground running, which is exciting for us because it’s not often we get to engage with US citizens while doing our job.”
Some of the ways the task force is getting information out to the community is through SMS text messages. Although cell phone networks are down, the unit still has the capability to broadcast vital information through text messages across the island.
TFPO also uses Next Generational Loud Speakers while driving around the island.
“The locals have been very receptive to our presence and are in high spirits, even in this devastating time,” said Dean.
The team is stationed at the Ivana Eudora Kean High School where they have helped clean up some debris when not out on mission.
The team continues to work with the Virgin Islands community to get critical information out and have expanded their operation to St. John to help get information to the community there as well.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2017 09:34 |
| Story ID: | 248534 |
| Location: | ST. THOMAS, VI |
| Web Views: | 216 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Task Force Phoenix - Orion conducts information support operation in the Virgin Islands, by SGT Leona Hendrickson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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