PETERSON AFB, Colo. –
U.S. Northern Command is working through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support authorities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida to provide life-saving and life-sustaining relief to those affected by Hurricane Irma.
The U.S. Army Area Support Medical Company (ASMC) is scheduled to begin operations on St. Thomas this evening, providing triage, a variety of medical treatments, and pre-evacuation care.The ASMC will also be augmented by a six-person U.S. Air Force Ground Surgical Team.
A mobile communications tower is now providing air traffic control radar capability at the Cyril E. King International Airport located on St. Thomas, which is crucial for emergency operations.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) operations have focused on aeromedical evacuations, commodity distribution in St. Thomas and St. John, and enabling U.S. Marine engineering teams to continue route clearance operations.
Air Mobility Command contingency response teams continue to support Florida and the affected Caribbean islands, assessing, opening and operating airfields to accept commercial and military aid flights. AMC aircraft continue to deliver personnel, supplies and equipment to support affected areas.
The Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group continues support activities in vicinity of the Florida Keys, distributing commodities such as water, meals, fuel, and re-establishing airport and port capacity at NAS Key West. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS New York (LPD 21) are transporting relief supplies into Key West, Fla., via LCUs in support of FEMA.
The remaining high water vehicles (Task Force Truck) from Fort Bragg have arrived at Camp Blanding, Florida. These vehicles are already moving commodities between Camp Blanding and Lakeland, Florida in support of FEMA mission assignments.
USNORTHCOM's mission is to assist lead federal relief agencies in helping those affected by Hurricane Irma to minimize suffering while continuing its mission of defending the Homeland.