By 9th Mission Support Command
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa, Feb. 21, 2018 — When disaster
strikes at home, who answers the call to clean up and rebuild? After a
destructive storm struck here recently, Army Reserve forces took immediate
action.
In concert and coordination with various federal, state,
local, interagency, and non-governmental organization partners, Army Reservists
transported Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross relief
supplies and equipment to support their fellow citizens following the
destructive path of Tropical Cyclone Gita across the island of American Samoa
Feb 11-16.
More than 300 U.S. Army Reservists reside and work in
American Samoa.
Helping Americans
"We are part of this community. We are members of the
community and it is ours to protect," said Army Lt. Col. Clinton C.
Seybold, commander of the American Samoa Detachment. "We are very proud to
be here to help the American people and the people of American Samoa are
American people."
The Army Reserve is using its Pago Pago facility as a
staging base for federal agencies to operate out of as they conduct their
recovery operations.
"It's very convenient for federal assets," Seybold
said. "It has been designated the federal team staging facility for the
military personnel part of the federal response they come check in with us and
if need be we house them."
An emergency declaration was made by Samoa Governor Lolo
Matalasi Moliga and approved by President Donald J. Trump, which allowed aid to
be distributed to the island territory.
As the island rebuilds, American Samoa's Army Reservists
will continue to work providing capabilities that support their communities,
families, and neighbors.
"We are here to answer the call wherever we are
needed," Seybold said. "It just so happened this time we were needed
at home."
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment