Discussion.
After the Philippine government's request for humanitarian assistance on
9 November 2013, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) directed Marine Corps
Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) to lead military relief operations in the Philippines,
with 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3d MEB) serving as the mission
commander on the ground. USPACOM also ordered deployment of the USS
George Washington and elements of Carrier Strike Group 5 (CSG 5) to the
Philippines.
On 10 November, within 6 hours of authorization from USPACOM, 3d MEB
"suitcase staff" deployed to the Philippines, consisting of the Commanding
General, G-3/Operations officer, Sergeant Major, Public Affairs Officer (PAO),
and two communications specialists. Upon arrival of additional staff, the 3d MEB
established its Command Operations Center (COC) at the Villamor Air Base in
Manila and immediately began coordination with the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP), Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG-P), and
USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) personnel who
had already arrived several days before Haiyan hit. [USAID/OFDA serves as the
U.S. Lead Federal Agency (LFA) for providing FHA and for coordinating USG
efforts.]
USPACOM's Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell (DJTFAC) also
rapidly deployed and played a critical role in setting up an operational Joint HQ,
aligning operational design and assessment plans, establishing an operational
rhythm with the AFP, USAID/OFDA, and the UN, and implementing the
USPACOM FHA Concept of Operations (CONOPS). The DJTFAC provided
Joint expertise, regional and local expertise, and detailed knowledge of
USPACOM's organization, processes, and procedures. It also provided
JTF stand-up and execution assistance when a decision was made later in the
operation for establishment of Joint Task Force (JTF-505).
During the first week of disaster relief operations, the U.S. military/3d MEB –
working alongside AFP counterparts – was able to quickly respond to immediate
needs of the host nation (HN) due to the availability and involvement of U.S.
military assets positioned within the region. On 10 November (the day that 3d
MEB arrived), the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P),
which was located in Mindanao (about 600 miles south of the affected region),
began conducting aerial surveillance missions to assess airfields, ports, routes,
and distress signals. JSOTF-P worked around the clock to obtain information
vital for search & rescue operations in the affected areas of Leyte, Samar, and
the Western Visayas. JSOTF-P also provided critical needs and damage
assessment reports to 3d MEB, which was working hand-in-hand with USAID/
OFDA and the AFP.
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