The amphibious dock landing ship Ashland is heading to Saipan Friday at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid in typhoon relief, according to a Friday Navy release.
The Japan-based ship, which had been on a port call in Guam, will bring Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and supplies to the island as it deals with the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor, according to the release.
Chief Petty Officer Mark Petty and Seaman Nancy Willis work with other crew members of the Coast Guard cutter Sequoia, based in Guam, on Tuesday to deliver personnel, gear and supplies to Saipan to aid in its recovery from Typhoon Soudelor.
Photo Credit: Ensign Pete Driscoll/Coast Guard
“Along with the 31st MEU, we are just one part of Typhoon Soudelor relief efforts,” Ashland skipper Cmdr. Daniel Duhan said in the release. “With the collaboration between the Navy, Marines, local and federal government agencies, we hope to make significant contributions to the effort.”
The Coast Guard, including the crew of the Guam-based cutter Sequoia, the Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, and other Navy and joint personnel are helping provide logistics and transportation for FEMA and other emergency responders.
The government of Guam, American Red Cross, Ayuda Foundation and other non-profit/non-government organizations have sent drinking water, bedding, food, power generators, power lines and other electrical restoration supplies to the island.
Saipan, part of the Northern Mariana island U.S. territory in the Western Pacific, was hit hard by the typhoon five days ago, taking out infrastructure, including power, water and sewage systems. President Obama declared a state of disaster for the island on Thursday.
