Thread: Typhoon Haiyan..

Originally Posted by MRSDS1DONNA

It's bad. My son's disaster relief organization (Team Rubicon) already has boots on the ground to help with the search and rescue mission. These men and women are all vets who have special training which is why they were sent first. They are preparing another group to start a supply chain shortly. I suspect there will be a lot of relief organizations heading out as soon as possible to help those affected.

Copy Ms Donna. I would have flown to LAX with a care package If I knew. Then again, everything is last minute. Keep me posted, my offer still stands..

I hear that a ship with Amphibian vehicles are heading for Tacloban. I used to belong to an AAV unit years ago in the USMC. These vehicles are being described as the "Swiss Army Knife of Vehicles". I never heard them called that way but I do know what they mean. They can carrly lots of supplies, inside these things, bunch of MRE's, medical supplies, troops, ammunition and definately go over debris. They splash in the sea and ride right up the beaches, and then go inland up to 400 miles or so without fueling. Just what they need. But they need to be there NOW. An AAV has been the work horse of amphibian opertions for the Marine Corps for many decades. I'm sure the Filipino Marines will be working hand in hand with their U.S. counterparts in this relief effort.

I knew our MPS ships would show up. I worked on this program shipboard for many years, I see they are in place to go to Philippines as confirmed by my former co-worker and now squadron ship supervisor. These vessels carry alot of MRE's, can make drinking water from the ship systems, has military equipment including AAV's, you name it. The same ships I went to Desert storm with and operations in Korea and Honduras. They use them for humanitarian purposes also.

Yeah ,

Gearing up to send three out of Saipan, and maybe another out of Diego. Probably do an
in-stream download, pump water, hang out in Cebu............but I'm probably out of it
unless they make me go. Gotta do Thanksgiving with the old folks...............

---

I wrote......

Any MPS ships going to the Philippines???

Hagel Orders Aircraft Carrier, Ships to Philippines

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and several other U.S. Navy ships to the Republic of the Philippines today, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

Hagel directed the vessels “to make best speed” to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster support, Little said, following a devastating typhoon that left thousands dead.

They are expected to arrive on station within the next 48 to 72 hours, he said.

USS George Washington, which carries 5,000 sailors and more than 80 aircraft, is currently in Hong Kong for a port visit, Little reported. The crew is being recalled early from shore leave and the ship is expected to be underway later this evening.

The cruisers USS Antietam and USS Cowpens and the destroyer USS Mustin will accompany the carrier, Little said.

Meanwhile, supply ship USNS Charles Drew already is underway and will rendezvous with the group en route to the Philippines. In addition, USS Lassen got underway yesterday for the region, Little said.

Carrier Air Wing Five, embarked aboard USS George Washington, includes an array of aircraft designed to perform disaster relief as well as other functions, Little noted. Among its assets are the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12, which fly MH-60 Seahawk aircraft; and the “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 that fly the MH-60R Seahawk.

These ships and aircraft will be able to provide humanitarian assistance, supplies and medical care, as needed, to support ongoing efforts led by the Philippines’ government and military, Little said.

The Defense Department is continuing to work closely with the Philippine government to determine what, if any, additional assets may be required, he said.

About 90 U.S. Marines and sailors already are on the ground in the Philippines, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster support.

Members of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade deployed yesterday from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, with two KC-130J Hercules aircraft from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, reported Marine Col. John M. Peck, the 3rd MEB chief of staff.

A forward command element and humanitarian assistance survey team also is deploying to the Philippines from Okinawa to provide an initial assessment on the support required. Marine Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy, deputy commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the commanding general of the 3rd MEB, will lead that team.

The initial focus of U.S. relief efforts includes surface and airborne maritime search and rescue, medium-heavy helicopter lift support, fixed-wing lift support and logistics enablers.

This includes requests for the Marine Corps’ KC-130 cargo aircraft and MV-22 osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. The MV-22 provides a unique capability and is ideal in this type of operation, officials noted. With its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, it can operate in austere environments. Its ability to convert quickly to fixed-wing configuration gives it greatly increased speed and range over traditional rotary wing aircraft, they said.

Super Typhoon Haiyan has impacted more than 4.2 million people across 36 provinces in the Philippines, according to the Philippine government’s national disaster risk reduction and management council. More details about casualties and damage are expected in the coming days as transportation and communications systems are repaired.

They went to Subic Bay in March when I was on Saipan passing through, ran into a few of my former crew members in the local MOMS ROUND 2 that's been around for years, a pit stop for seamen prepositioned on Saipan.
Here is an interesting article on what the MPS program is all about.......they are on their way to Philippines to help out in relief efforts.

News: Prepositioning equipment, supplies enable Marines to be America’s expeditionary force in readiness

Staff Sgt. Robert Dea
U.S. Marines from 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, offloaded a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle pier-side from the USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, March 21, during annual exercise Freedom Banner 2013 Maritime Prepositioning Force offload in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. More than 270 Marine Corps tactical vehicles and amphibious assault vehicles were offloaded in support of FB13 and Balikatan 2013, an annual bilateral exercise that takes place in the Philippines. The MPF program supports global positioning of Marine Air-Ground Task Force and naval equipment and supplies in response to a range of military operations from the quick and rapid buildup of combat power to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

SUBIC BAY, Republic of the Philippines – The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy demonstrated their capability of generating and sustaining combat power ashore during annual training exercise Freedom Banner 2013 with the MaritimePrepositioning Force offload in Subic Bay, March 21-22.

“Freedom Banner is a (U.S. Pacific Command-directed) exercise that supports multiple countries throughout the region,” said U.S. Marine Col. Mark J. Menotti, assistant chief of staff for Logistics, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “This is the first time in more than 20 years that Freedom Banner is supporting the Philippines, which gives us an opportunity to build closer ties with the Philippine armed forces.”

In less than 48 hours, more than 270 Marine Corps tactical vehicles and amphibious assault vehicles were offloaded pier-side from the USNS 1st Lt Jack Lummus, a maritime prepositioning ship assigned to Maritime Preposition Squadron Three (MPSRON-3). One of the newest MPF ships of the MPSRON is a dry cargo/ammunition ship named after the Shoshone Indian guide of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2). The Sacagawea represents the Marine Corps’ solution to sea-based logistics.

As part of annual bilateral training exercise Balikatan 2013, the vessel will provide ship-to-shore sustainment of troops and equipment ashore in the form of MREs, fuel, construction material, ammunition, repair parts, and principle end items such as vehicles and generators. Unique to this operation will be the use of the MV-22B Osprey as a ship-to-shore connector. This will be the first time a III MEF Osprey conducts single and dual-point sling loads from a T-AKE.

The MPF program supports global positioning of Marine Air-Ground Task Force and naval equipment and supplies in response to a range of military operations from the quick and rapid buildup of combat power to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, added Menotti.

There are several phases to Freedom Banner. The offload of cargo typically takes three to four days. This is followed by 15 days of reduced operations — all gear and equipment is employed during BK13 humanitarian and civic assistance projects, command post exercise and field training exercise. The final phase is the reconstitution exercise where the equipment is surveyed and maintained, and subsequently prepared for redeployment onto the MPS. The ships are scheduled to depart at the end of the exercise April 30.

“What makes Freedom Banner unique is it offers a combatant commander the ability to project a MEB anywhere in the world in a short amount of time,” said U.S. Marine Maj. Sean M. Forester, operations officer for Logistics, 3D MEB.

By prepositioning key equipment and supplies in support of forward presence throughout the region, the Marine Corps can extend its global reach in crises response — significantly reducing the time and strategic lift required to complete synchronization of forces and equipment deployment in support of powerful and integrated crisis response capabilities, added Forester.

“Exercising this capability enables us as Marines to be a force in readiness for the Marine Corps and for America, with the power and the capability to execute any mission,” said Menotti.

Where are the U.S. airlines in his matter? Any relief efforts coming in from the airlines? Maybe some aid runs to Cebu or nearby destinations of stricken places? I don't hear anything from COLOAVS19.......Probably flying missions in Philippines??? Drop a line COLOAVS19 if you get a minute.