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USS Ashland, Marines to aid recovery efforts
ASAN, Guam —USS Ashland departed Guam and will arrive on Saipan today, Aug. 7, to provide relief in the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor, which devastated the island on Aug. 2-3.
Agencies including the government of Guam, American Red Cross, Ayuda Foundation, and other non-profit/non-governmental organizations have provided drinking water, bed sheets, food, generators, power lines and other electrical restoration supplies to aid in the effort.
USS Ashland sailors, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and U.S. Naval Base Guam personnel detach fuel lines from the ship aboard the base Aug. 6. Ashland and the 31st MEU will be heading to Saipan to support relief efforts in the wake of the devastation of Typhoon Soudelor on Aug. 3. (Contributed Photo)
Upon arriving on Saipan, the supplies will be sent to distribution sites, shelters, and schools around the island to provide the much needed supplies to local residents and government agencies.
“Ashland, as part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group, has been underway in the region conducting routine training and exercises. We have precisely the capabilities and capacity, at the right place and time to respond,” said Ashland commanding officer Cmdr. Daniel Duhan. “Along with the 31st MEU, we are just one part of Typhoon Soudelor relief efforts. With the collaboration between the Navy, Marines, local and federal government agencies, we hope to make significant contributions to the effort.”
Ashland, homeported in Sasebo, Japan, is the eighth and last of the Whidbey Island-class ships to be commissioned and the second U.S. Navy ship to bear that name. She is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with her crew of more than 500 sailors and Marines. (Joint Region Marianas)
