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31ST MEU continues Saipan typhoon relief efforts
USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6), at sea—Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit continue to assist local and federal agencies with relief efforts on Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3.
Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU, along with the USS Ashland (LSD 48), have been working to distribute relief supplies on Saipan since they arrived Aug. 7.
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- U.S. Marines move water bladders out of an MV-22B Osprey at Saipan International Airport, Saipan, Aug. 9, 2015. The water bladders, able to hold 3,000 gallons, allow the distribution of water to those affected by the recent typhoon. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. RYAN C. MAINS)
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- U.S. Marines help move gear from an MV-22B Osprey to a 7-ton truck at Saipan International Airport, Saipan, Aug. 9, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. RYAN C. MAINS)
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- U.S. Marines help move boxes of water at Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Junior High School on Saipan, Aug. 9, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. RYAN C. MAINS)
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- U.S. Marines help move boxes of water at a shelter in Saipan, Aug. 9, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. RYAN C. MAINS)
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- U.S. Marines help hand out food to locals at a shelter in Saipan, Aug. 9, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. RYAN C. MAINS)
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- U.S. Marine Capt. Jeffery Butler hands water to locals at a shelter on Saipan, Aug. 9, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. RYAN C. MAINS)
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- U.S. Marines hand water to locals at a shelter on Saipan, Aug. 9, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. RYAN C. MAINS)
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- U.S. Marines hand water to locals at a shelter on Saipan, Aug. 9, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. RYAN C. MAINS)
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- U.S. Marines help guide locals to food and water at a shelter on Saipan, Aug. 9, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. RYAN C. MAINS)
Four MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Titlrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, have also been staged in nearby Guam. They have been providing aerial lift support as part of relief efforts.
To date, the 31st MEU has delivered more than 11,400 gallons of water and 48,300 individual meals-ready-to-eat to five distribution sites across the island. Marines have also set up a Light Water Purification System to produce additional potable water for the people of Saipan. The USS Ashland is currently returning to Saipan with a high-production Tactical Water Purification System , multiple mobile water containers able to transport more than 2,000 gallons of water, equipment to repair and restore power and approximately 10,000 lbs of Red Cross relief goods. After arrival, the Ashland will produce up to 40,000 gallons of potable water a day to be distributed by the 31st MEU Marines.
The 31st MEU was conducting regularly scheduled training in the Asia-Pacific when they were redirected to support the relief efforts. (MEU Public Affairs Office)
