Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
                
                Defense Logistics Agency
                        The Nation's Combat Logistics Support Agency
                    DLA
            Search
                        Search Defense Logistics Agency:
                            Search
                    Search Defense Logistics Agency:
                        Search
    Home

    What DLA Offers
    
        Excess Property Disposal

    Document Services

    Products

    Services

    Programs

    Working With DLA
    
        Applications

    Small Business

    Federal and International Cataloging

    Defense Data Standards

    Events

    Procurement Policies

    Government Programs

    Forms

    Organizations
    
        DLA Headquarters

    DLA Aviation

    DLA Disposition Services

    DLA Distribution

    DLA Energy

    DLA Land and Maritime

    DLA Troop Support

    DLA CENTCOM & SOCOM

    DLA Europe & Africa

    DLA Indo-Pacific

    Customer Support
    
        Self Help Tools

    How to Order

    Find Your Order

    Customer Facing Offices

    Training

    Brochures

    Warfighter Support

    Customer Service Management

    Careers

    About DLA
    
        Contact Us

    Locations

    Leaders

    News

    History

    Media Gallery

    DLA Campaigns  Home
  About DLA
  News
  News Article View
 News
 Puerto Rico Response Continues With More Than 13,000 Personnel By Cheryl Pellerin
                DoD News, Defense Media Activity
 The Defense Department continues to respond to deadly hurricane damage in Puerto Rico, with 13,229 personnel now on the island and medical support operations ongoing aboard the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort near San Juan, Pentagon spokesman Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis reported today. DoD response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to focus on temporarily restoring power; distributing power generators and food, water and fuel; and expanding the distribution network, he said.Sailors deliver supplies from an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter during relief efforts in Puerto Rico, Oct. 5, 2017. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Molina




Sailors transfer supplies from helicopter.
        Hurricane Maria
            Sailors deliver supplies from an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter during relief efforts in Puerto Rico, Oct. 5, 2017. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Molina

            SHARE IMAGE:

                Download Image
                    Image Details
                    
                    Photo By: MC3 Michael Molina
                    
                    VIRIN: 171005-N-VK310-0092 Response efforts also include medical support, route clearance, aviation support, planning support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and support of the Army Corps of Engineers'' repair of Guajataca Dam, Davis said. **On the Ground in Puerto Rico** The first priority of Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello and FEMA is to restore power, Davis said. The Army Corps of Engineers will work on power restoration in from San Juan east, and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority will work on the western two-thirds of Puerto Rico. Power restoration crews continue to arrive on the island, he said. Other priorities are hospitals and communication, with an increased focus on isolated regions, the spokesman said. DoD is executing a strategic plan to support these communities and ensure their needs are being met, he added. The governor is implementing a plan to assign the Puerto Rico National Guard, augmented by the territorial militia, to support local leaders in each of the island's 78 municipalities to ensure that more commodities -- including food, water and fuel -- are pushed to those in need, Davis said. FEMA has verified that telecommunications and radio connectivity are operational for all hospitals and police stations, Davis said. Sixty-five of 67 hospitals are open -- 36 on the power grid and 29 on generator power -- and 43 of 48 dialysis centers are operating.






Navy Lt. j.g. Shiju SantaNivas treats a patient aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct. 4, 2017. The ship is providing humanitarian assistance throughout the area. SantaNivas is an intensive care nurse assigned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephane Belcher




Nurse speaks with patient in hospital bed.
        Treating a patient
            Navy Lt. j.g. Shiju SantaNivas treats a patient aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct. 4, 2017. The ship is providing humanitarian assistance throughout the area. SantaNivas is an intensive care nurse assigned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephane Belcher

            SHARE IMAGE:

                Download Image
                    Image Details
                    
                    Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephane Belcher
                    
                    VIRIN: 171004-N-PG340-272 Fifteen percent of customers have electricity, 57 percent of customers have drinking water, although boiling orders remain in effect, 64 percent of the population has available cellular services and work continues to upgrade emergency cellular services, Davis said. Seventy-six percent of gas stations now are open, and Puerto Rico's Department of Transportation has signed 19 contracts for road repair and restoration. **Detailed DoD Response** Davis said U.S. Northern Command has delivered food, water and medical, sustainment and aviation support capabilities, the spokesman said. And 17 U.S. Transportation Command flights with equipment, personnel and relief supplies are scheduled for today. Also today, Northcom is scheduled to deploy food, water and key DoD capabilities to Aguadilla, including elements of the 633rd Expeditionary Medical Support Hospital , which should arrive Oct. 14, Davis said. Eighty-eight rotary-wing and 12 fixed-wing DoD aircraft are operating in Puerto Rico, he said. An incident support base has been established in Aguadilla, on the northwestern tip of the island, and is a key distribution hub for western Puerto Rico, he said. USNS Comfort left Aguadilla yesterday and now is providing medical support near San Juan. Elements of the14th Combat Support Hospital continue to arrive, and the CSH is anticipated to be operational in Humacao, on the eastern coast, by the middle of next week, Davis said. Transcom is keeping aeromedical evacuation assets in San Juan for possible patient movement to the continental United States, he said. Davis said that DoD personnel have completed 227 of 344 requested generator pre-installation inspections and have installed 53 generators. Progress continues with persistent route clearance operations by Army Reserve engineers, Puerto Rico's National Guard and Marine Expeditionary Unit military personnel, Davis said. The Army's 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command recently began water production operations near Guajataca Dam, he said.  *Editor's note: The original story can be viewed on the Department of Defense website.*
 SHARE
 PRINT
 Related Videos DoD News Now: Puerto Rico Relief Efforts Ongoing
 Related Links Special Report: DoD Hurricane Relief
 hurricane relief Puerto Rico DoD Hurricane Relief Hurricaine Maria
 Contact UsSite IndexStrategic PlanDLA IG HotlineFOIANo FEAR ActWhistleblower ProtectionDLA CareersImagesWebmasterEEOSection 508Public AffairsSAPRExternal Links DisclaimerDOD Information Quality GuidelinesPrivacy/SecurityUSA.govDOD Web PolicyDOD Open GovernmentPlain Language
                    Stay Connected
            
            

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil