USS Ashland returns with more supplies, ARC pallets

The USS Ashland returned to Saipan yesterday, bringing in more supplies to help in the recovery efforts on Saipan after Typhoon Soudelor’s destruction.

RESERVE CRAFT BEACH, Guam—A tractor carries cargo onto the deck of Landing Craft Utility 1666, assigned to Naval Beach Unit 7 for disaster relief efforts on Saipan after Typhoon Soudelor.
(MC3 David Cox)

The Ashland brought materials and equipment to aid in recovery operations.

“I’d like to thank the [Department of Defense], Marines, Army Corps of Engineers, CUC, [Guam Power Authority], everyone that’s involved in bringing the necessary supplies for our CUC guys,” Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres said.

Some of the equipment from the ship are a Ford Ranger utility truck, three bucket trucks, a digger, two Ford F-150s, and a step van.

It also brought in materials such as 700 bolts, 6,000 connectors and clamps, 200 braces and crossarms, 230 down guys, 820 lightning arresters and fuses, 80 grounding, 700 insulators, 400 splices, 200 washers, 100,000 wires, and 120 poles.

“GPA and CUC will expedite the process of restoring back our utility,” Torres said, “Hopefully this will help them alleviate some of the shortage that they have.”

“We’re here as a result of the mission assignment that was provided to us by FEMA, that being transportation of assets from Guam to Saipan, as well as making water and distributing water,” said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Bette Bolivar, commander of the Joint Region Marianas.

“The DOD is here to support FEMA as we work collaboratively with the government of the CNMI and FEMA and everyone else,” she added.

Gov. Eloy S. Inos as well as Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP), and representatives of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. were also present to welcome back the USS Ashland.

ARC supplies
Ashland was also able to bring in supplies from the American Red Cross.

“It was an opportunity to bring the Red Cross pallets,” Commander Daniel P. Duhan, commanding officer of USS Ashland, said. “We brought 44 pallets of Red Cross [supplies].”

According to ARC operations director Denise Everhart, they brought in coolers, buckets with lids, personal hygiene kits, tents, and tarps.

For other supplies, Torres said they are expecting other barges to come in.

Bolivar said they are doing everything they can to support the recovery efforts on Saipan.

“This is my second home. We’re doing everything we can within the legal bounds to support FEMA and the resiliency that the people of Saipan displayed is commendable and we feel what you’re going through and we’re doing everything we can to support you,” Bolivar said.