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Pakyo Tests Joint Region Marianas Typhoon Readiness

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090703-28
Release Date: 7/3/2009 10:51:00 PM

By Jesse Leon Guerrero, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Joint Region Marianas tested its ability to respond to a natural disaster during a typhoon exercise held in Guam June 9-10.

Guam's typhoon season runs from late June to December, with the peak of the season usually hitting around August to mid-November.

Though Guam hasn't seen a typhoon in several years, its location in the Pacific makes typhoon preparedness a necessity for military and local government officials in the region.

The simulated typhoon, Typhoon Pakyo, caused an island-wide natural disaster, leaving Naval Base Guam without power, closing port operations at Apra Harbor, Guam, and causing runways at Andersen Air Force Base and Guam International Airport to be inoperable.

Facing drastic situations like these in a training environment can better prepare the military and local community for the real thing, said Cmdr. Bill Rabchenia, regional operations officer for Area Training and Readiness for Joint Region Marianas.

"Not only would we be restoring everything here, but we would have to come up with a plan to manage all the outside assistance that would be coming in," Rabchenia said.

Working under the control and guidance of the regional operations center, responders assessed the simulated damage both on and off base, repairing critical structures and quality of life services.

More than 12 Navy departments, the Air Force emergency operations center, Guam's emergency operation center and base operation support contractor, DZSP 21, participated in the training scenario.

Rabchenia said the partnership between participants improves communication and allows them to see how each organization operates. The exercise also helps to form a partnership between military branches and the local government.

"Every military has its responsibility to the community wherever they're at, especially here," Rabchenia said.

Regional staff graded the responders' performance, and the review of successes and deficiencies will be used to improve response procedures.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.navy.mil/local/guam/.