U.S. Marines Answer The Call | 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Conducts Typhoon Egay Relief Effor

Within twenty-four hours, 35 Marines and Sailors, four MV-22B Ospreys, and four CH-53E Super Stallions, transitioned from preparation to redeploy home from the Philippines, to supporting relief efforts and lifesaving assistance in the wake of Typhoon Egay. Following the conclusion of Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 23, and at the request of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, was tasked to support relief efforts in the northern Philippines.

Typhoon Egay made landfall near remote northern Fuga Island, Philippines at approximately 3:10 a.m. local time, on July 26. The super typhoon, which had a 435-mile band of rain and wind with gusts up to 146 miles per hour, battered 15 municipalities, affecting more than 500,000 individuals and driving local governments to declare a province-wide state of calamity.

The detachment was preparing to return to home station following MASA 23 when they were dynamically re-tasked on July 30, and within 24 hours, all eight aircraft were airborne from Antonio Bautista Air Base, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, to Subic Bay International Airport to begin loading and delivering relief supplies, provided by the Government of the Philippines.

“The opportunity to help our Philippine Allies in time of need, especially after training together during an exercise, is a privilege,” said Lt. Col. David G. Batcheler, commanding officer of VMM-163 (Rein.). “There is no better way to express our commitment here in the Philippines than to respond at a moment’s notice in time of need.”

The U.S. Marines worked alongside Filipino servicemembers and first responders in Basco, Batanes province, who eagerly lined up at the rear of the aircraft to pass boxes of food and water, provided by the Government of the Philippines, from the aircraft to staging areas for further distribution.