US military to aid PHL relief efforts for 'Yolanda'

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 11): US military to aid PHL relief efforts for 'Yolanda'

The United States Embassy in Manila on Monday announced that the US Pacific Command will help in the ongoing Philippine humanitarian relief efforts for Supertyphoon "Yolanda" which battered a large part of the Visayas.

"As requested by the Government of the Philippines, Secretary of Defense Hagel has instructed US Pacific Command (PACOM) to support humanitarian relief efforts as led by our Philippine partners," it added.

"The Philippine government has already requested PACOM to provide airlift and other help through the US Department of Defense Overseas Humanitarian Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) Program. The initial assistance includes maritime search and rescue, medium to heavy lift support, and logistical support," the US Embassy in Manila stressed.

Part of the US military assistance for "Yolanda" include:

-A forward command element and humanitarian assistance survey team, led by Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy, the deputy commander of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force and the commanding general of the 3rd MEB, arrived in the Philippines on Nov. 10 to provide an initial assessments of support required.

-The initial focus of military efforts includes surface maritime search and rescue (SAR), airborne maritime SAR, medium-heavy helicopter lift support, fixed-wing lift support and logistics enablers.

-Approximately 90 US Marines and sailors from 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3rd MEB), and two KC-130J Hercules aircraft from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), arrived in the Philippines Sunday from Okinawa, Japan. They brought with them communication and logistical equipment to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

-US Marine Corps Forces Pacific maintains significant capability throughout the Asia-Pacific region ready to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Without forward deployed forces, rapid and fully capable deployments to such disasters like supertyphoon "Yolanda" would not be possible.

"The United States government continues to monitor the effects of Typhoon 'Yolanda' and remains in constant contact with Philippine authorities to ensure that our assistance is timely and relevant to the changing needs of the situation. In coordination with our Philippine friends, the US will help our ally recover from the storm and move forward," the US Embassy in Manila concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=585577