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U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

In Any Clime and Place

Marines' complete Saipan typhoon relief mission

By Capt Jennifer Giles | Marine Corps Activity Guam | August 24, 2015

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U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Riley Remoket, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fills a water bull at a water distribution site during typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 19, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU and CLB 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Ismael Pena/Released)
U.S. Marines aid Saipan with typhoon relief efforts
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Riley Remoket, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fills a water bull at a water distribution site during typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 19, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU and CLB 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Ismael Pena/Released)
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U.S. Marine Cpl. Colton Santic, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fills a water jug while Marines distribute water to local civilians during typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 19, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU and CLB 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bekkala/Released)
U.S. Marines aid Saipan with typhoon relief efforts
U.S. Marine Cpl. Colton Santic, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fills a water jug while Marines distribute water to local civilians during typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 19, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU and CLB 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bekkala/Released)
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U.S. Marine Pfc. Michael Hundley, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, carries empty water jugs for local civilians during typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 14, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU and CLB 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bekkala/Released)
U.S. Marines aid Saipan with typhoon relief efforts
U.S. Marine Pfc. Michael Hundley, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, carries empty water jugs for local civilians during typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 14, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU and CLB 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bekkala/Released)
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USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD6), At Sea --

USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6), At Sea – Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have completed their typhoon relief mission in Saipan and will depart soon.

            The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with local authorities, have assessed they have the capabilities to complete any remaining relief operations without military assistance.

            “The people of the Northern Marianas are deeply grateful to the members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit for the extraordinary service they have delivered in the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor,” said U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan. “I thank the Pacific Command, and Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar in particular, for responding so quickly to my request for humanitarian assistance on Saipan. As we move forward to recovery, our community will always remember the tremendous kindness extended to us by the 31st MEU in our time of need."         

Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU, along with the USS Ashland (LSD 48), have produced and distributed water, cleared debris, distributed relief supplies, and moved mission essential equipment in Saipan since they arrived Aug. 7.



            Throughout the course of the relief efforts, the 31st MEU has delivered more than 19,000 gallons of water and 47,000 individual meals provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to five distribution sites across the island. The Marines have distributed an additional 366,200 gallons of potable water to the people of Saipan, 279,375 gallons of which were purified utilizing a Light Water Purification System and a Tactical Water Purification System. More than 10,000 pounds of emergency supplies provided by the Red Cross have also been distributed.  Marines and sailors have also cleared debris from seven local schools, including Marianas High School, Hopwood Junior High School, and Koblerville Elementary School.

The Marines and sailors will embark aboard the USS Ashland and retrograde to their home port in Okinawa, Japan.  Four MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Titlrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, supporting aerial lift missions from nearby Guam have already returned to the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). 

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