U.S. military aids Luzon disaster relief with air support

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Following a request from the Philippine government and in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command deployed Marine Corps and Air Force Ospreys and Air Force MC-130Js to support disaster response operations in Northern Luzon.

The mission aimed to deliver life-saving relief items to communities recently affected by consecutive storms and the southwest monsoon.

In partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), U.S. aircraft joined AFP-led airlift operations on July 30 and 31, transporting 600 Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) family food packs (FFPs) and emergency relief items from Clark Air Base to Basco, Batanes.

Efforts to deliver 5,700 additional DSWD-provided FFPs to affected areas are ongoing.

U.S. aircraft and personnel remain on standby to assist the AFP in delivering further humanitarian aid where needed.

“The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with our Filipino allies, especially in responding to disasters,” U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said.

“We are grateful to the combined relief and rescue teams who have been working tirelessly on the ground to deliver emergency assistance to affected residents.”

The U.S. Embassy in Manila continues to coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, OCD, DSWD, and the World Food Programme (WFP) to support relief operations in Central and Northern Luzon.

As of July 29, WFP—through approximately PHP13.8 million ($250,000) in funding from the U.S. Department of State—mobilized trucks that delivered more than 47,700 DSWD-provided FFPs to Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Pangasinan.

The supplies provided emergency assistance to more than 200,000 people affected by severe flooding.