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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan - In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ketsana that struck the Republic of the Philippines Sept. 25, U.S. Marines and Sailors based in Japan have come to the aid of the Philippine people.
Over the past week more than 2,000 Marines and Sailors of III MEF and U.S. Navy ships carrying the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have been assisting the Philippine government in providing relief to the hard hit areas around the Philippine capital of Manila.
More than 9,300 "family food packs", including bottled water, have been distributed around the capital. More than 1,400 medical and dental patients have been treated by Navy personnel and more than 18 tons of clothes, shoes and personal items have been distributed. U.S. service
members also are assisting in debris-removal operations along side Philippine troops.
During "food drop" missions the Philippine and U.S. military team utilized different transportation methods to deliver the "family food packs." Crowded streets and heavy traffic initially proved to be obstacles for military vehicles conducting relief convoys. However, in order to overcome these obstacles the Philippine national police volunteered police escorts to ensure an efficient movement of relief supplies to the affected areas.
"The first day was chaos trying to navigate the streets," said 28-year-old Cpl. Theodore Ramlal, a Morris Plains, N.J., native and a motor transport operator with III Marine Expeditionary force. "Once we got the police escorts the food convoys were able to navigate the roads a lot faster, smoother and safer."
In addition to food drops, the Philippine and U.S. military team executed medical and dental civil action projects to offer medical and dental assistance.
The medical and dental teams were able to treat minor medical issues and provided antibiotics, antifungal creams, and vitamins.
"We've seen things here [in terms of the destruction] that we haven't seen before," said Lt. Cmdr. Todd Endicott, a Yakima, Wash., native, and a medical officer with III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Marines and Sailors have been removing debris from impassable streets at multiple sites in Manila and some surrounding areas. Philippine and U.S. military engineers and local community members worked together to clear roadways and neighborhoods. In addition, U.S. forces are repairing
dikes and drainage systems so that the Philippine government can resume basic services.
Thus far more than 15 large dump truck-sized loads of debris have been removed from Manila.
Troops have also delivered more than 18 tons of clothes, shoes and toys to the Philippines as part of relief efforts. More than 700 boxes of personal items, which are donated by U.S. military families in Japan, have been flown to Manila. The donated boxes, each weighing approximately 50
pounds, contain clothing and personal items sorted by gender and age.
U.S. military planners are working along side their Philippine counterparts at the National Crisis Center in Manila to review, assess and prioritize relief efforts and projects.
A team of approximately 100 personnel comprised of Marines from III MEF flew from Okinawa to Philippines Sept. 29 to conduct humanitarian assistance assessments. On Sept. 30, U.S. Navy ships USS Denver, USS Tortuga, and USS Harpers Ferry, with embarked Marines and sailors of the
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit set sail from Okinawa towards the Philippines. On Oct. 1, Brig. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, flew from Okinawa to Philippines to lead planning and humanitarian assistance efforts. The USS Tortuga and USS Harpers Ferry are currently in Subic Bay providing support to operations ashore.
Marines and Sailors are steaming toward West Sumatra province, Indonesia aboard the USS Denver in response to Indonesian government request for help in the aftermath of a 7.6 earthquake that struck the West Sumatra Sept. 30. The USS Denver with its embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and heavy-left helicopters has been diverted from Philippines and is sailing
towards Padang, Indonesia, where it's expected to arrive sometime Thursday.
In addition to the USS Denver, Navy Destroyer USS McCampbell and the dry-cargo ship USNS Richard E. Byrd are also en route to Indonesia
The Secretary of Defense has authorized $7 million for relief operations in Indonesia.
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2009 05:00 |
| Story ID: | 39728 |
| Location: | CAMP BUTLER, KP |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 94 |
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