ARLINGTON, Va. - While the United States eyes hurricane relief efforts in its Caribbean territories, the National Guard continues to respond with vital assets, resources and Guard members.
As of today, more than 3,500 Guard members are working around the clock to support relief efforts across the spectrum from communication, medical and sustenance distribution, to name a few functions.
With cell service at 91 percent out of commission in Puerto Rico and 63 percent out in the U.S. Virgin Islands, communication has become the chief priority for relief agencies.
Twelve Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC) systems are operational and aiding Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with 10 more assets in the process of being set up.
The JISCC offers a communications bridge to first responders through satellite communications that enable the use of High-frequency (HF) radio, data, video and voice capabilities. Small enough to be airlifted, the system fits in an 18-foot trailer, equipped with its own lighting and power generation, along with a satellite dish.
Three days after the storm's Sept. 20 landfall, eight Airmen of the 126th Communications Flight, Illinois Air National Guard, set up their JISCC alongside the Puerto Rico Air National Guard's 156th Wing operations building at Muniz Air National Guard Base, providing invaluable, non-stop communication support to the command post.
"We have a satellite link that allows the local command to communicate with agencies back on the mainland," explained Capt. Chris Kruse, the flight commander. "This gives the wing commander and his senior leaders reliable connection with the outside world."
Maria brought 155 miles per hour winds and 30 inches of rain, making conventional means of travel ineffective due to flooding, landslides and damaged roadways along with debris.
Assessments are ongoing as water recedes from flooding. The emphasis in both the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are debris removal, communication, route clearance, and points of distribution, public safety and employing engineering assets.
Airlift operations are focused on movement of life-sustaining items, rotary aircraft, military police and engineers as the Guard is planning for robust, long-term support.
Within the U.S. Virgin Islands, majority of Guard support efforts have shifted from search and rescue to route clearance operations in the last few days.
Dozens of military police from the New York National Guard are in affected areas, as requested through an official agreement with Puerto Rico and New York.
Originally slated for Hurricane Irma relief, the 105th Military Police have made use of the delay created by Maria.
"For the 10 days or so, we've been conducting a lot of training at our armory in Buffalo, getting any supplies and everything that we needed to go down there to assist with the mission," explained Staff Sgt. Eric Sheffer.
The 29th Infantry Division, Virginia National Guard, will be taking over relief operations from the U.S. Virgin Islands National Guard, passing out food and water at points of distribution.
Nearly 60 Soldiers of the 285th Medical Company (Area Support), Ohio National Guard, are treating civilian and military patients at the St. Croix hospital.
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania National Guard sent about 15 crew members and two CH-47 Chinooks to assist Puerto Rico.
Seven shelters are operating on the U.S. Virgin Islands, housing more than 600 civilians.
To help with recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, more than 300 Guard members have returned home from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where they were supporting Irma relief efforts. The rest of the Puerto Rico National Guard is focusing on assessing 69 hospitals and provisions. Of the 37 facilities assessed thus far, 29 are operational.
Guard members on the ground are also developing plans to better replenish fuel at hospitals and medical facilities currently running on generators.
A total of 258,596 meals, 416,260 liters of water, and nine military vehicles arrived in Puerto Rico Sept. 27. Two air support missions are slated to transport 1.4 million meals to San Juan for distribution to 12 Guard armories throughout the island for points of pick up.
Echoing the thoughts of National Guard personnel throughout the United States and its territories, Air Force Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, the Pennsylvania adjutant general, said, "Our thoughts are with the people of Puerto Rico as they recover from this storm. As always, the Pennsylvania National Guard is proud to assist those in need whenever and wherever we are called."
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