Pentagon Officials Detail Continuing Storm Response Support

American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2012 – Defense Department support in the wake of Superstorm Sandy continues, Pentagon officials reported today. U.S. Transportation Command has delivered 208 power restoration vehicles and 354 technical personnel on 56 missions from California, Arizona, and Washington to Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. An additional three flights were scheduled today from California and Nevada to JFK. The 401st, 410th, and 431st quartermaster teams -- from Lock Haven, Pa., Jacksonville, Fla., and Kinston, N.C., respectively -- have reported to Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst for allocation to the affected areas. The 401st Quartermaster Team is on assignment in Long Beach, N.Y. The 172nd Preventive Health Team from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; the 227th Preventive Health Team from Fort Bragg, N.C.; and the 43rd Veterinary Team from Fort Hood, Texas, are at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and are prepared to deploy. The Defense Logistics Agency has delivered more than 3 million meals to Federal Emergency Management Agency facilities in West Virginia, New York and New Jersey. Another 5 million meals are in production. DLA delivered 500,000 meals to McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and 500,000 meals to Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. Meanwhile, DLA delivered 1,000 cots, 1,000 blankets and 1 million packaged meals to Fort Hamilton, N.Y., for the National Guard and 3,000 cots to Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst for National Guard personnel in the area, along with 140,000 blankets and 200 hypothermia kits. DLA is executing the purchase of up to 12 million gallons of gasoline and 12 million gallons of diesel fuel, and 260 fuel trucks are on contract to support fuel distribution. More than 500,000 gallons have been delivered to FEMA distribution sites so far, officials said. Fuel was provided to 27 of 79 state-identified commercial stations in New York and New Jersey. In both states, FEMA continues to assign DLA to deliver gas at the governors' requests. Generators had arrived or were in transit today to Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, and DLA has ordered seven more to be delivered tomorrow. DLA has contracts in place to support debris removal, with 3,000-ton barges for garbage hauling estimated to arrive tomorrow or Nov. 8. DLA has also awarded two contracts for 330 roll-off dumpsters and 34 trucks for overland trash hauling. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has more than 600 personnel supporting response operations, with a focus on supporting dewatering and power missions in New York and New Jersey. The Corps of Engineers deployed technical assistance teams and senior leadership oversight, and are deploying and identifying pump and emergency generator requirements consistent with FEMA mission assignments. In addition, the Corps of Engineers is supporting emergency temporary power missions in New York and New Jersey with more than 335 generators staged at forward locations. As of today, 80 emergency generators had been installed, officials said. Dewatering operations continue at 14 sites, including the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, the Montague Tunnel, Passaic Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Jersey City PATH Train Tunnel. Those operations are complete at the Queens Midtown Tunnel, World Trade Center site, the South Ferry Station, the 53rd Street Tunnel, Battery Underpass, Manhattan Steam Plant Tunnel, and the 14th Street Tunnel. The Corps of Engineers also continues to support emergency power restoration efforts at the Kinder Morgan Terminal. National Guard assistance also continues. Today, more than 7,400 National Guard personnel are assisting in response and recovery efforts across region affected by Sandy. Eight states are supporting the response efforts through Emergency Management Agreement Compacts: Delaware (106 personnel), Alabama (22), California (114), Georgia (20), Massachusetts (120), Maine (5), North Carolina (25), and Ohio (119). Two four-person power generation teams from the West Virginia National Guard are working with the Army Corps of Engineers to assist power generation missions. Some 3,364 New York National Guard personnel are on state active duty, supporting relief efforts, supporting power restoration, traffic control, debris removal, wellness checks, and food and water distribution. The New York Guard is conducting 20 point-of-distribution missions, with 258,000 meals, 431,984 bottles of water and 21,000 blankets distributed as of yesterday. With 2,092 personnel on state active duty, New Jersey National Guard personnel are conducting debris clearance and removal; high-water vehicle operations; shelter support; food, water and fuel distribution;, power generation; and presence patrols. The New Jersey Guard also continues aerial support missions, including FEMA damage assessments. Also, the New Jersey Guard has helped emergency responders with fuel distribution, with more than 93,229 gallons distributed since Nov. 2, and has distributed 6,618 blankets, 1,740 cots and 3,648 towels. They are assisting local and state law enforcement agencies with security support in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The West Virginia National Guard, with 542 personnel on state active duty, are conducting community assessments, medical evacuation, snow and debris removal, and food, water, and generator distribution. Deployed aviation assets are supporting response and recovery efforts.