AFP transport assets deployed for 'Odette' ops: DND

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22, 2021): AFP transport assets deployed for 'Odette' ops: DND (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy

All available air, sea, and land transportation assets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been deployed to conduct operations in support of the government's relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas ravaged by Typhoon Odette.

During the Talk to the People on Tuesday night, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told President Rodrigo Duterte that the AFP has flown one of its BN-2 Islander aircraft and S-70i "Black Hawk" combat utility helicopter to conduct the rapid damage assessment analysis (RDNA) in over the areas of Siargao, Dinagat Islands and Surigao City on December 17.

RDNA is needed to determine the exact extent of the damage suffered.

On December 18, Lorenzana said Air Force EADS CASA C-295 medium transport aircraft was deployed to bring relief goods to Siargao to aid the affected residents.

On December 19, a Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" heavy transport aircraft and another S-70i were deployed to transport relief goods and other items from Surigao City to Siargao.

Meanwhile, Lorenzana said the presidential yacht, the BRP Ang Pangulo (AT-25), was converted into a floating hospital and is now headed for Siargao.

The Defense chief added that three other Navy ships, on December 20, has started to transport relief goods and medicines to Surigao City, Siargao, and Cebu.

He also said that another smaller, carrying Presidential Communications Operation Office chief Martin Andanar, a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) which was used for communications purposes, assorted canned goods arrived in Siargao and also transported locally stranded individuals.

Lorenzana added that one generator set was also dispatched to the Western Command in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Meanwhile, another C-295 was deployed to transport relief goods to Cebu and Panglao, Bohol, and another C-130 was dispatched to ferry equipment from Cebu to Tacloban.

While the Fokker F-27 transport was used to ferry Cabinet secretaries during Duterte's visit to Bacolod earlier. And on December 21, Lorenzana said a C-130 flew a mobile water treatment plant to Cebu.

The aircraft managed to conduct two missions that day. Also, the Navy's bigger ships are now on the way to Surigao, Dinagat Islands, Cebu, and Bohol carrying assorted relief goods, mobile water treatment plants, and family tents to help the affected communities there.

Lorenzana said 10 aircraft have so far managed to carry 87,000 pounds of relief items to the devastated areas while six ships have managed to transport 258 tons.

He added that 86 search-and-rescue teams have been deployed so far with another 677 on stand-by if needed.

Lorenzana also said 88 6x6 trucks are now deployed with another 821 on reserve and could be deployed if needed.

Overall, 19 air assets consisting of helicopters, C-130, C-295, and N-212 transport aircraft have been deployed for "Odette" response missions.

Lorenzana also said that four S-70is are also available to the Eastern Mindanao Command along with two Bell 412 helicopters; seven S-70is and one Bell 412 and one GAF Nomad transport in the Visayas Command; and another Nomad and Islander aircraft in the Western Command.

He added that Unified Commands were also instructed to complete the RDNA in the affected areas before Friday to assist the Office of Civil Defense in completing its damage assessment reports which were requested by the President.

Another ship is now underway and headed for Palawan to help the affected residents there.

Also, another ship, the LD-601 (BRP Tarlac), is now in the process of being loaded with relief supplies in Pier 13, Manila South Harbor, and will be used to carry these items to either Cebu, Bohol, or Siargao.

Another ship is in Sangley Point and being loaded with relief supplies and will be deployed to Mindanao and the Visayas.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163450