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Forward Deployed ARG Delivers Humanitarian Assistance

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060221-17
Release Date: 2/21/2006 7:02:00 PM

From Task Force 76 Public Affairs

LEYTE, Republic of Philippines (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines from the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Joint Task Force (JTF) Balikatan and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) joined with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a consortium of multinational relief organizations to begin delivery of supplies to the devastated area of Southern Leyte Feb.19.

The Philippine island fell victim to a wide-sweeping mudslide Feb. 17. ARG and AFP forces have combined forces to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the victims.

The initial delivery contained five generators, 10 light sets on tripods, 100 shovels, 2,100 five-gallon water cans, 900 1.5-gallon water cans, 400 four-quart kettles, 2,000 blankets, Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE) and bottled water, according to relief officials.

Additional relief supplies will head into Tacloban for further distribution into the disaster area, including a pallet of water, a pallet of MREs, a pallet of shovels and miscellaneous supplies, five generators and a reverse-osmosis water purification system capable of purifying 800 gallons per hour, officials said.

“In a short time, the Sailors and Marines of the Forward Deployed ARG and 31st MEU have been able to make a tremendous impact,” said Capt. Mark E. Donahue, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 11, the Task Group commander of the Forward Deployed ARG. “We will continue to bring supplies ashore and do what we can to help the victims of this tragedy.”

Survivors of the mudslide have been directed to the nearby town of Saint Bernard, which has become the staging center for U.S. aid deliveries. Numerous sorties by CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262, “Flying Tigers” have been launched into Saint Bernard from USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).

U.S. Marines immediately plunged into the relief effort, taking up shovels and working shoulder to shoulder with Filipino Marines and rescuers from Malaysia and Taiwan. About 200 are involved in the efforts and it is estimated that another 300 will be deployed to the area in the next few days.

Essex, USS Juneau (LPD 10), Harpers Ferry, Curtis Wilbur and 31st MEU arrived in Subic Bay Feb. 17 for the bilateral exercise Balikatan 06, but were immediately called to assist in the relief efforts in Leyte. The exercise comes from a Filipino word meaning “shoulder to shoulder,” a theme that has become a visible reality as Filipino soldiers and U.S. forces work together in the search for and the immediate care of survivors.

“The work here will be an ongoing process, and we will use all of our assets to do all that we humanly can,” said Donahue. “We are ‘shoulder to shoulder’ in this and our hearts and minds are united in this effort.”

The Forward Deployed ARG is part of Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force, which is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.