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U.S. Northern Command is leading the Defense Department's disaster response and relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the wake of Hurricane Maria, which made landfall on the U.S. territory Sept. 20. DoD continues to synchronize efforts with the Puerto Rico National Guard and FEMA. Troops and equipment already were assisting authorities in the region, which has seen two other powerful hurricanes, Irma and Jose, in recent weeks.
The Defense Department provided updates on its relief efforts following extensive damage from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE’s repair of the Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 10,917 personnel including Federal Forces and National Guard. USNS COMFORT is conducting medical support operations while pierside in San Juan, PR.
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NO UPDATE AVAILABLE
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE’s repair of the Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 11,385 personnel including Federal Forces and National Guard. USNS COMFORT is conducting medical support operations while pierside in San Juan, PR.
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE’s repair of the Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 11,400 personnel including Federal Forces and National Guard. USNS COMFORT is conducting medical support operations as it transits to San Juan, PR.
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE’s repair of Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 13,600 personnel including Federal Forces and National Guard. USNS COMFORT is conducting medical support operations near Ponce, PR.
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE’s repair of Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 13,000 (T10 and NG) personnel. USNS COMFORT is conducting medical support operations near Aguadilla, PR.
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE’s repair of Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 13,600 (T10 and NG) personnel. USNS COMFORT is conducting medical support operations near Aguadilla, PR.
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE’s repair of Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 13,700 (T10 and NG) personnel. USNS COMFORT is conducting medical support operations near Aguadilla.
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE’s repair of Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 13,420 (T10 and NG) personnel. USNS COMFORT is conducting medical support operations near Aguadilla.
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE’s repair of Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 13,600 (T10 and NG) personnel. USNS COMFORT is in transit to conduct medical support operations near Aquadilla, PR.
DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporary power restoration, distribution of power generators, commodities distribution (e.g., food, water, and fuel), expanding the distribution network, medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to FEMA, and support of USACE's repair of Guajataca Dam. DoD is responding with approximately 13,229 (T10 and NG) personnel. USNS COMFORT is conducting medical support operations near San Juan, PR.
DoD continues to expand a comprehensive island-wide commodities distribution and medical support network in support of FEMA and HHS. DoD response efforts are focused on supporting FEMA priorities for distribution of food and supplies, production and distribution of clean water, delivery of generator fuel to hospitals, route clearance, and Guajetaca Dam spillway mitigation.
DoD continues to build a comprehensive commodities distribution and medical support network capable of supplying, and providing care for, isolated communities, in support of FEMA and HHS.
DoD continues the deployment of additional response capacity to Puerto Rico to meet FEMA’s need for a comprehensive commodities distribution network able to reach isolated communities and sustained medical support. LTG Jeff Buchanan is leading DoD’s efforts to establish Aerial and Sea Ports of Debarkation throughout Puerto Rico to enable FEMA, with DoD support, to flow resources throughout the Commonwealth. DoD is also supporting establishment of a comprehensive medical support plan to best position medical support assets as they arrive in PR. LTG Semonite (Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers) is in Puerto Rico overseeing USACE support, including Guajataca Dam reinforcement.
DoD continues the deployment of additional response capacity to Puerto Rico to meet FEMA’s need for a comprehensive commodities distribution network able to reach isolated communities and sustained medical support. LTG Jeff Buchanan is leading DoDs efforts to establish nodes of Aerial and Sea Ports of Debarkation throughout Puerto Rico so that FEMA, with DoD support, can flow resources throughout the Commonwealth. DoD is also supporting establishment of a comprehensive medical support plan to best position medical support assets as they arrive in PR commencing today.
LTG Semonite (Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers) is in Puerto Rico overseeing temporary power installation, electrical distribution repairs, infrastructure improvements and Guajataca Dam reinforcement. Sixteen helicopters from Ft. Bliss deploy Oct 2-3 on C-5 strategic lift. USS WASP and additional USMC rotary wing aircraft is enroute to support operations in Puerto Rico Oct 3. The hospital ship, USNS COMFORT, is projected to arrive San Juan on Oct 4.
DoD is accelerating relief operations and the deployment of additional response capacity to Puerto Rico to meet FEMA's need for a comprehensive commodities distribution network able to reach isolated communities and sustained medical support. LTG Jeff Buchanan assumed command of the DoD response effort, is working with FEMA and service components to get distribution priorities right, and initially assessed that the planned force flow will build the capacity necessary to support FEMA and Commonwealth priorities. The Governor of Puerto Rico, in a press event this morning, highlighted the partnership between the Puerto Rico, and Federal partners, including FEMA and DoD. LTG Semonite (Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers) is also in Puerto Rico overseeing the temporary power project, electrical distribution repairs, and infrastructure improvements. The USS WASP is returning to support response ops in and around Puerto Rico.
In Puerto Rico, DoD continues ongoing relief operations and deployment of additional response capacity, expanding airfield and seaport throughput and supporting FEMA requirements. LTG Jeff Buchanan and his Deputy, BG Rich Kim, are on the ground and coordinating with FEMA, the PR National Guard, Commonwealth leaders, and other key response stakeholders. USS WASP is returning to support response ops in and around Puerto Rico. KEARSARGE ARG/26th MEU operations were featured on 2 CBS news segments.
In Puerto Rico, DoD continues ongoing relief operations and is leaning forward to rapidly deploy additional response capacity, expanding airfield and seaport throughput and positioning key leaders forward supporting FEMA priorities. LTG Buchanan, Commanding General, U.S. Army North, will arrive in Puerto Rico this evening and serve as the senior DoD leader there.
Federal Support to Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
National Preparedness Special Report
National Hurricane Center
Federal Emergency Management Agency