PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. –
U.S. Northern Command continues to support the ongoing response efforts to Puerto Rico to provide life-saving and life-sustaining support to those in the affected areas. The Department of Defense’s primary focus areas in the support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are the deployment of logistical support forces, commodity distribution and increasing the medical capabilities on the island.
Yesterday, the DoD distributed approximately 75,000 gallons of fuel across Puerto Rico, including six hospitals and a FEMA operating location at the Guajataca Dam. Various DoD air and ground-based units also distributed approximately 12,000 gallons of water, 70,000 meals, 500,000 bottles of water and 300,000 other relief supplies, such as cots and tarps on Tuesday.
U.S. Marines and sailors, in collaboration with local and federal workers, cleared 42 miles of roads on Tuesday to aid in ground transportation and commodity distribution.
The USS WASP arrived in Puerto Rico on Wednesday to support ongoing response efforts with response personnel and 13 rotary wing aircraft, bringing the total of active-duty helicopters to 44 with more expected in the coming days.
Today, additional sustainment units, medical units, a water purifier, communications support equipment and U.S. Army helicopters are scheduled to be transported from the continental U.S. to Puerto Rico. There are approximately 5,700 active duty service members working in and around Puerto Rico – an increase of 2,400 service members since Sunday.
Along with the Puerto Rico National Guard and Health and Human Services, the Joint Force Land Component Command Surgeon General continues to reassess and resupply hospitals today across Puerto Rico.
USNORTHCOM's mission is to assist lead federal relief agencies in helping those affected by natural disasters to minimize suffering while continuing its mission of defending the Homeland.
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