31st MEU delivers supplies, clears debris for Saipan
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, distribute water to local civilians as part of typhoon relief efforts on Saipan, Aug. 12, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/LANCE CPL. BRIAN BEKKALA)
Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit continue to assist local and federal agencies on Saipan with typhoon relief efforts.
Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU, along with the USS Ashland (LSD 48), have been working to distribute relief supplies on Saipan since they arrived Aug. 7.
Four MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Titlrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, have also been staged in nearby Guam. They have been providing aerial lift support as part of relief efforts.
To date, the 31st MEU has delivered more than 16,600 gallons of water and 47,000 individual meals provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to five distribution sites across the island. The Marines have distributed an additional 98,000 gallons of potable water to the people of Saipan, 68,000 gallons of which were purified utilizing a Light Water Purification System and a Tactical Water Purification System. Marines and sailors have also started to clear debris from Marianas High School.
The 31st MEU was conducting regularly scheduled training in the Asia-Pacific region when they were redirected to support the relief efforts after Saipan was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. (31st Marine Expeditionary Unit)
Time for the Marines to relocate to the NMI permanently…
You know what is interesting is that with that devastating Typhoon a while back in the Phil. (Lyte area) there was a world effort to bring in relief goods and to rebuild. The Phil. Govt. was totally unprepared and useless, even though they have multiple typhoons across the country every year.
Saipan we get only help from the US mainland. WHY?
All of the relief drives for the Phil. but little if any for Saipan.
Many disaster drives for other nations directed from the NMI. but nothing from other countries outside??
OR is it not reported??
Can everyone imagine what this would be like if th Marines were not in the vicinity during the typhoon?
In the past we only had FEMA and the Red Cross along with negligible help from put NMI Govt.
“In the past we only had FEMA and the Red Cross along
with negligible help from put NMI Govt.”
Times have changed since then. Now that Okinawa Marine base is being closed, we have the full focus of the US Marines also because of a far bigger interest in the CNMI.
Still, that does not take away from what these Marines are doing now. I know as a Veteran that for most of these soldiers, its called being human. Rolling through a small town in Iraq, a woman and three children clothes all tattered and torn with 3/4 of the town leveled where standing close to these collapse buildings. I pulled over with my team. We gave them some food (MRE’s) and water for a few days then continued on our trail.
Semper Fi Marines!
But not only does it end there! Our Men and Women in Uniform from Reserves, National Guard, Police, Nurses, Doctors, government workers and public in its entirety that continue to help others: DONKULU NA SI YU’US MA’ASE! Keep the faith!
Buenas,
Hopefully that our dearest brothers and sisters throughout the CNMI, would understand that having the United States Marine Corps on our soil would be plus. Imagine the amount of funds that would be induce in our economy directly and indirectly. Also, as we all saw it, the Marines can be of big help for our community in time of need or after a calamity.
Since, I had participated in stand by Search and Rescue (SAR) operation in another country in the United States Marine Corps Squadron, it would be beneficial to have the Marines (SAR) on Stand-by in case there is distress vessels in our waters, instead of waiting for a hilo to come from Guam.
Si Yu’us Ma’ase