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Marines’ mission extended to Sat.
Marines to continue providing potable water
The mission of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard USS Ashland to provide drinking water to Saipan has been extended until Saturday.
True to her 24-hour response time, Joint Region Marianas Commander Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar told Saipan Tribune about the approval yesterday through Joint Region Marianas public affairs officer Lt. Tim Gorman
“I am pleased to announce that service members from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit will continue to provide water to the people of Saipan until Saturday, Aug. 22,” Bolivar said.
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, distribute water to local civilians during typhoon relief efforts on Saipan, Aug. 11, 2015. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/GUNNERY SGT. ISMAEL PENA)
Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 and Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, will remain behind to continue distributing water to the people of Saipan.
The USS Ashland, part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, will continue on her patrol of the Pacific and will return to backload the Marines once their mission is complete.
“My Marines and sailors are happy to continue helping the people of Saipan,” said Lt. Col. Eric Malinowski, the commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU.
“The people of Saipan have gone out of their way to make us feel at home, and we appreciate that as much as they appreciate the support we’ve given them,” he added.
On Tuesday, Gov. Eloy S. Inos appealed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to extend the 31st MEU’s mission with regards to providing the community with drinking water.
The 31st MEU has been providing drinking water to the public through their reverse osmosis facilities, lightweight purification water system, and tactical water purification system, for more than a week now.
The LWPS can produce up to 3,000 gallons of water in a 24-hour period while the TWPS can produce 30,000 to 40,000 gallons.
“After receiving the request from Governor Inos through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, military leaders have agreed that since there is a need, our forces can support this request for a few extra days,” Bolivar said.
“As Saipan recovers, we want to see the living conditions for our families continue to improve,” she added.
Inos earlier said that four days is a “reasonable time period” so that the government can safely say they will be able to provide the community.
In spite of their mission being in limbo yesterday, the Marines continued to provide drinking water to the public.
Aside from the Garapan Fishing Base, they also provide water to three fire stations: Koblerville Fire Station, Kagman Fire Station, and San Roque Fire Station. Water will be available at these sites from 8am to 6pm until Aug. 22.
