USTRANSCOM sends relief supplies to Guam in wake of category 5 typhoon
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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- Action officers at U.S. Transportation Command are planning and coordinating the transport of relief supplies to Guam following the devastation of Super Typhoon Pongsona.
The typhoon hit Guam on Sunday, Dec. 8, with winds in excess of 180 mph. Immediately, Gov. Gutierrez declared Guam a state of emergency, and President Bush declared it a federal disaster area on Monday.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has lead for the disaster relief, and requested assistance from the Department of Defense. Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, Rear Adm. Patrick Dunne, has been appointed the Defense Coordinating Officer. USTRANSCOM is working with U.S. Pacific Command to support the requirements of the Defense Coordinating Element, the DOD agency that interacts directly with FEMA for support.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Bob Costello, an action officer in USTRANSCOM’s Mobility Control Center said he and others started working requirements immediately. The team has been working around the clock to plan the delivery of medical supplies, water, construction materials and generators.
“The total requirement currently stands at about 900 short tons,” Costello said. “And, it’s still growing.”
The storms eye crossed over the northern part of the U.S. territory, but the entire island, approximately 3,700 miles southwest of Hawaii, was hit by the category five typhoon. Andersen Air Force Base sustained waste-high flooding and major structural damage. The whole island is still without power, and many estimate that it could take weeks to restore.
In July, Typhoon Chata’an impacted Guam as it passed just south of the island. Following that category one typhoon much of the island was without electricity for almost two weeks.
For reference, there have only been two category five storms that made landfall on the mainland U.S. The Florida Keys was hit in 1935, and Camille struck land in 1969.
According to Costello, the severe damage from Pongsona (which means ‘beautiful flower’ in Korean) presents challenges.
Relief supplies are being flown to Anderson AFB via both military and commercial chartered aircraft. The instrument landing system is not operational so unless airplanes are equipped with TACAN (a tactical airborne navigational system on board military aircraft) the crews are limited to approaches during daytime visual flight rules.
The team at USTRANSCOM is conducting detailed planning and coordination to ensure planes arrive within the appropriate window.
USTRANSCOM is a unified command responsible for providing air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense. As the single manager of America’s Defense Transportation System, USTRANSCOM coordinates the global mobility actions that allow America to project power and sustain forces worldwide, for as long as they are needed.
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Office of Public Affairs - transcom-pa@mail.mil
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