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Forward Deployed ARG Completes Philippines Relief Operation

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060228-12
Release Date: 2/28/2006 1:41:00 PM

 

From Task Force 76 Public Affairs

SOUTHERN LEYTE, Republic of Philippines (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Joint Task Force (JTF) Balikatan and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) completed Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) operations Feb. 28, for the victims of a wide-sweeping mudslide that occurred there Feb 17.

USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) operated as sea basing platforms beginning Feb. 19 for numerous sorties into Southern Leyte in support of HA/DR, bringing relief supplies, equipment and personnel from ship to shore. Helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262 (Reinforced), Landing Craft Utilities (LCU) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 Western Pacific Detachment and Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 Western Pacific Detachment were in continuous motion to provide the much-needed humanitarian aid.

“The Sailors and Marines of the Forward Deployed ARG truly stepped up not only with their hands but their hearts, which I think will carry much farther than the relief supplies itself,” said Capt. Mark E. Donahue, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, task group commander of the Forward Deployed ARG.

JTF Balikatan officials recently reported that the Forward Deployed ARG and JTF Balikatan personnel delivered more than 3,100 five-gallon water cans, 900 1.5-gallon water cans, three pallets of bottled water, 2,500 blankets, two pallets of Meals, Ready-to-Eat, 1,500 sleeping mats, 150 pick axes, one pallet plus 500 additional shovels, three pallets of rice, one pallet of medications, 12 55-gallon diesel fuel drums, 40 chainsaws and five generators. It was also reported that U.S. military aircraft, Air Force included, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) flew more than 400 hours. AFP and U.S. Air Force sorties were conducted in addition to ARG sorties from Clark Air Base.

Forward Deployed ARG ships Essex, Harpers Ferry, and USS Juneau (LPD 10) along with Curtis Wilbur and 31st MEU arrived in Subic Bay Feb. 17 for the Exercise Balikatan 2006. All but Juneau, which remained focused on its Balikatan Civil Military Operations (CMO) mission on the island of Jolo in Sulu Province, were immediately called to assist in the relief efforts in Southern Leyte.

Upon arrival in Southern Leyte, the Forward Deployed ARG focused on both rescue and relief operations.

Marines of 31st MEU were transported ashore to contribute directly to the rescue efforts, shoveling out dirt alongside AFP personnel and international rescue workers.

The initial relief delivery had an immediate impact, surging not only relief materials — blankets, water, Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) — but also the supplies to conduct relief operations like generators, lights and fuel.

In both the rescue and the relief, it was evident that the international mix of rescuers embodied balikatan, which means “shouldering the load” in Tagalog and also the essence of Exercise Balikatan.

As the HA/DR operations got underway, ARG assets also set up relief operations in Himbangan Feb. 20, which augmented central operations in Saint Bernard. On the day of arrival in Himbangan, Harpers Ferry’s commanding officer, command master chief and other members of the crew interacted with the village residents, sharing candy and cookies made by the crew.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed her sympathies and showed her support for the rescue and relief efforts by visiting the headquarters of the relief operation Feb. 22. She shook hands with the 31st MEU Marines and thanked them for their efforts in Southern Leyte.

Throughout the HA/DR efforts, the U.S. forces gave as much of themselves as they gave out important relief supplies, felt Donahue. Feb. 25, 96 Sailors from the Forward Deployed ARG and Curtis Wilbur completed a community service project at St. Bernard Central Elementary School, providing essential supplies, completing minor maintenance, groundskeeping and medical assistance, while also interacting with the families and their children that have taken shelter there.

Sailors and Marines of the Forward Deployed ARG and 31st MEU expressed their own condolences as they joined together with Filipino people and international rescue workers in a memorial service, Feb. 25 in Guinsaugon, which was held just after government officials had officially called off the rescue efforts.

As the ARG ships pulled away, Sailors and Marines said they would remember not only the tragedy that struck the village of Guinsaugon and the herculean rescue effort by all involved in the rescue operation, but also the big smiles of the children and kindness of the residents they had the honor to meet in Southern Leyte.

“We share in this tragic loss and mourn with the Filipino people,” said Donahue. “We take with us the memories that united us in this time of sorrow. We can only hope that our efforts here have planted the seeds for a new and better future for the survivors of Guinsaugon and the Republic of Philippines.”

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.