# DoD Continues Hurricane Irma Response Operations

/ Published Sept. 10, 2017
WASHINGTON, 
The Defense Department is well-postured for Hurricane Irma response operations in Florida with maritime and air-ground assets, as the department also continues its response operations throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean locales, DoD spokesman Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis said today in a statement.

Davis said department assets will continue to conduct the evacuation of U.S. citizens from St. Martin in the Leeward Islands when weather permits, and will provide humanitarian assistance -- including water, sanitation, logistics support, movement of disaster relief personnel and humanitarian commodities movement -- in response to U.S. State Department requests.

**Irma’s Path**

This afternoon, Hurricane Irma diminished from Category 4 to a Category 3 storm with winds ranging from 111 to 130 mph, according to news reports. Irma’s center is now passing the Florida Keys and will move up Florida’s western coast. The storm is estimated to impact the entire Florida west coast. Landfall by Irma’s “eye” is projected for tomorrow afternoon on the Florida panhandle.

DoD provided the following details on Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico operations:

                Members of the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing assist in the evacuation of stranded U.S. citizens from Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Martin in the Leeward Islands, Sept. 8, 2017. The rescue wing, staging out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Airlift Wing, provided rescue support to those requiring urgent medical care following the devastation of Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean. New York Air National Guard photo by Air Force Col. Richard Goldenberg                            NY Air National Guard Rescue Wing Assists with St. Maarten Evacuations                            Members of the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing assist in the evacuation of stranded U.S. citizens from Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Martin in the Leeward Islands, Sept. 8, 2017. The rescue wing, staging out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Airlift Wing, provided rescue support to those requiring urgent medical care following the devastation of Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean. New York Air National Guard photo by Air Force Col. Richard Goldenberg            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Col. Richard GoldenbergVIRIN: 170908-Z-A3538-0007-- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the amphibious assault ship USS Oak Hill and the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp are on station in the U.S. Virgin Islands conducting transfer of noncritical care patients and delivery of food and water.

-- The 26th MEU will transfer United Kingdom marines in St. Croix to the United Kingdom Virgin Islands.

-- U.S. Transportation Command continues its support to St. Martin for evacuation and humanitarian assistance, and the strategic lift of commodities to the Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico area.

-- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ power restoration teams, debris removal experts, temporary roofing teams and port survey personnel are on-station.

-- The Defense Logistics Agency is shipping commodities and large generators to the Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico area.

DoD provided the following details on Irma response operations in Florida:

-- U.S. Northern Command is prepositioned with almost 4,500 personnel in the southeast to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida state authorities. As Irma clears, airfields will be established in southern Florida and support operations from the sea with air assets provided from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York, the guided missile cruiser USS San Jacinto, and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

-- Search-and-rescue forces, strategic and vertical lift, planning, communication and medical capabilities are readying to deploy for post-landfall response.

-- The Army Corps of Engineers’ power teams, debris removal teams, temporary roofing teams and port survey personnel are on alert and ready in Florida and Georgia.

-- The Defense Logistics Agency will support distribution of over 12 million meals over the next 10 days. All fuel requirements are met.

**Caribbean Operations**

U.S. Southern Command conducted the evacuation of American citizens from St. Martin to Puerto Rico with National Guard airlift assets. It’s estimated that 2,000-3,000 U.S. citizens still require evacuation. Operations will continue today, weather permitting. 
The Secretary of Defense authorized humanitarian assistance support to St. Martin as a result of a French government request to the U.S. government for international assistance. Initial reports from the Bahamas are more positive than expected, and the Nassau airport is expected to open today.
*Editor's note: The original story can be viewed on the Department of Defense website.*