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Foreword

Australian and
U.S. Forces
Strengthening
Regional Security

Philippine and U.S. Forces Provide Disaster Relief for Typhoon Victims

International HIV/Aids Conference

Building Global Networks to Combat Security Threats

Philippine and U.S. Forces Provide Disaster Relief for Typhoon Victims
By 1st Lt. Eric C. Tausch, USMC, and LCpl. Joel Abshier, USMC
1st Lt. Eric C. Tausch, USMC, assigned to Consolidated Public Affairs Office, Marine Corps Base, Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan, and LCpl. Joel Abshier, USMC, assigned to Joint Task Force Public Affairs Office, Marine Corps Base, Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan.

I wish to express my deepest gratitude for the U.S. government’s timely assistance to thousands of Filipinos who are suffering in the wake of the devastation wrought by typhoons Yoyong and Winnie. The U.S. Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with civilian authorities, are working together to alleviate the situation. Our latest collaboration further strengthens our alliance and fosters greater goodwill between Americans and Filipinos.”

Albert del Rosario
Philippine Ambassador to the United States

At the Philippine Government’s request for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief following devastating typhoons that struck the Philippines in November 2004, the U.S. Pacific Command immediately set up Joint Task Force (JTF) 535. The storms, which occurred over a two-week period, caused massive mudslides and flooding that displaced about 168,000 people and left more than 1,400 dead or missing in Quezon and Aurora provinces.

Working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), JTF 535, under the command of U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Kenneth Glueck, Commander of the III Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3rd MEB) in Okinawa, Japan, distributed relief supplies and provided medical assistance to the stricken towns. The 3rd MEB Marines and sailors established a joint forward-operating base at Clark Air Base on Luzon with U.S. Navy and Air Force units. From there, medium and heavy lift U.S. Marine and U.S. Air Force helicopters flew relief supplies to affected areas. “The forward presence of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade significantly contributes to United States’ ability to respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” noted Brig. Gen. Glueck. “It is my hope that [JTF 535] will alleviate the human suffering caused by these natural disasters.”

JTF 535 forces assisting the relief effort included more than 900 U.S. airmen, soldiers, Marines, and sailors; the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43); and the Military Sealift Command’s USNS Gunnery Sgt. Fred W. Stockham (T-AK 3017). Several U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft delivered supplies to Clark Air Base and Manila International Airport for distribution to the affected area via JTF 535 helicopters.

The USS Fort McHenry provided two CH-53D heavy lift helicopters and maintenance personnel for the relief effort. JTF 535 used the USNS Stockham’s two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters to conduct aerial reconnaissance of the affected areas, while AFP and U.S. military engineers, along with Philippine Department of Public Works engineers, assessed road networks in the affected areas. Both ships’ helicopters transported much-needed supplies to the disaster areas. The USNS Stockham’s helicopters also transported injured evacuees to Villamor Air Base for medical treatment.

An eight-person U.S. combat lifesaver team, already in Mindanao conducting lifesaver training when the typhoons struck, worked with AFP medical personnel to medically assist over 200 victims. The team also worked with Philippine National Red Cross volunteers on emergency medical procedures.

Within seven days of the Philippine request for assistance, U.S. military helicopters delivered more than 519,700 pounds [236 metric tons] of food, water, clothing, tents, blankets, and medical supplies to the towns of General Nakar, Infanta, Baler, and Real in Quezon Province. The AFP provided helicopter-landing zones and worked with U.S. forces in loading, unloading, and distributing supplies. “JTF 535’s mission is to provide immediate lifesaving support to the flood devastated areas of the Philippines,” said U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Gregory F. Bond. “We are doing everything we can to minimize human suffering and the loss of life.”

U.S. military helicopters delivered the relief supplies to the victims because the land was inaccessible to all types of ground vehicles, according to Philippine Air Force Maj. Arnold Constantino, a search and rescue pilot. “A bridge that connects these villages to supply areas was destroyed during the typhoon,” he said. “I couldn’t put a word on how to describe the situation. The crops were all damaged and the land was [incapable of being] tilled. The people are relying on relief goods from the outside. We needed to get the supplies in, and we would not have been able to do that without the U.S. forces using the big [helicopters],” he added. “We are all grateful for the quick reaction the U.S. did in helping the people here.”

As U.S. Marine pilot 1st Lt. J. Mike McClendon’s CH-46E helicopter, carrying supplies for the victims, flew over his designated landing zone, AFP and JTF 535 forces on the ground ensured a safe and successful landing. Before supplies arrived in an affected area, the Philippine Army ensured no interference with the fast-paced cycle of flights, while the U.S. Marines set up a perimeter for safe helicopter landings. This cycle of flights involved one CH-46E loading food and supplies at a designated airport, as another helicopter lands loaded with supplies.