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Coast Guard, USAF, FEMA ensure delivery of medical supplies to American Samoa

Coast Guard, USAF, FEMA ensure delivery of medical supplies to American Samoa. US Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules. HC-130J Super Hercules.
An Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew prepares to take off from Hawaii to deliver medical supplies to American Samoa, April 1, 2020. The delivery of medical supplies was a joint effort involving the Coast Guard, Air Force, and FEMA as part of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew West.

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard and USAF worked together with FEMA to ensure the timely delivery of a shipment of medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to medical responders in the U.S. Territory of American Samoa, and the strategic deepwater Port of Pago Pago, Wednesday.

“FEMA notified the Coast Guard of the need March 27, and we worked collectively for a whole of government response to expedite the timely delivery,” said Capt. Craig O’Brien, chief of response, Coast Guard 14th District.

US Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules.
Cmdr. James Willingham, HC-130 Hercules airplane pilot, flies into Pago Pago, American Samoa, April 1, 2020. Working in concert with FEMA and the U.S. Air Force, logistics were coordinated to ensure the timely and successful delivery of various supplies including medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile to the Southern Pacific territory.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class David Pepicelli.

The pallet of supplies arrived safely to the main airport in Tafuna on the island of Tutuila aboard a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point, Oahu, Wednesday after earlier movement from the Strategic National Stockpile by the USAF aboard a C-17 Globemaster airplane to Hickam Air Field, also on Oahu.

The services continue to support the CDC, state, and local health officials for matters involving the pandemic and remains ready to respond to emergency needs throughout the region. Similar deliveries may take place soon to assist other regional partners.

USCG HC-130 Hercules.
U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing airplane at the Pago Pago International Airport, American Samoa, April 1, 2020. The aircrew coordinated with FEMA and the U.S. Air Force to bring various supplies including medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile to the South Pacific territory.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Will Stufflebeam.

“Military aircraft are a workhorse throughout the world, and in the Coast Guard, we frequently use our HC-130 Hercules planes to deliver necessary supplies and equipment. This is especially true in the Pacific, where we seek to overcome vast distances and challenging timelines,” said Cmdr. James Morrow, a Hercules pilot and operations officer at Air Station Barbers Point.

American Samoa is a collection of five islands in the South Pacific, approximately 2,600 miles southwest of Honolulu. It is home to around 64,000 people, many of whom serve in the U.S. military. Tuna is a vital export from the South Pacific. The associated industries and services are a significant means of employment in the region. The Coast Guard maintains some authority in the area and assists local agencies in enforcing federal regulations with an emphasis on maritime commerce and environmental ocean stewardship.

US Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules.
A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew brought various supplies to American Samoa, April 1, 2020. Working in concert with FEMA and the U.S. Air Force, logistics were coordinated to ensure the timely and successful delivery of supplies including medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Karl Savacool.

“Safe flow of maritime commerce in and out of the Port of Pago Pago is a priority of the U.S. Coast Guard. It contributes to strategic national objectives and a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said O’Brien.

Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules.
A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew brought various supplies to American Samoa, April 1, 2020. Working in concert with FEMA and the U.S. Air Force, logistics were coordinated to ensure the timely and successful delivery including medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Karl Savacool.
Coast Guard, USAF, FEMA ensure delivery of medical supplies to American Samoa. US Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules.
A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew brought various supplies to American Samoa, April 1, 2020. Working in concert with FEMA and the U.S. Air Force, logistics were coordinated to ensure the timely and successful delivery of supplies including medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Karl Savacool.
Coast Guard, USAF, FEMA ensure delivery of medical supplies to American Samoa.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Garth Booye, an aviation maintenance technician, loads medical supplies into a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane at Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, March 31, 2020. The medical supples were being delivered to American Samoa as part of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew West.

-USCG-

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