CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, Japan – At the request of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin directed U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to support the U.S. Agency for International Development’s efforts in foreign disaster relief operations in the Philippines following Typhoon Krathon (locally known as Julian), which made landfall on the Province of Cagayan, Philippines Sep. 30.
III Marine Expeditionary Force, directed by USINDOPACOM, has sent personnel and equipment to transport foreign disaster relief (FDR) supplies via KC-130J Hercules aircraft to affected locations within the Republic of the Philippines. They will join personnel from I MEF’s 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia, who are already located in-country for training, to facilitate the efficient distribution of materials. Humanitarian assistance supplies include tarps, shelter kits, food packets, and other non-food items. Two Marine Corps KC-130Js departed Okinawa, Japan, and arrived in Manila on Oct. 5 in order to support the on-going relief efforts.
The U.S. military is providing air transport and other assistance in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the U.S. Department of Defense Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid Program.
FDR training is incorporated into nearly every major exercise conducted by Ill MEF. Recurrent crisis response training enhances operational readiness and develops joint interoperability during times of crises. The U.S. military has partnered and trained with our Philippine Allies regularly on FDR operations – including during exercises such as Balikatan and KAMANDAG – which prepare our forces for the challenges associated with extreme circumstances.
