U.S. Military Support to Hurricanes Irma and Maria Relief in the Eastern Caribbean

From Sept. 9 - Oct. 5, Joint Task Force–Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) provided disaster relief support to St. Martin and Dominica in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. In support of USAID, JTF-LI transported more than 340,000 pounds of relief supplies, desalinated 83,020 gallons of water, and evacuated more than 2,200 U.S. and foreign citizens left stranded by the hurricanes.

U.S. and Dominican personnel stand in front of a Dominica Marine Unit vessel.

United States Completes First Maritime Vessel Upgrade in Dominica

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U.S. citizen David Shargel embraces his son, Naya Shargel, at Douglas-Charles Airport in Melville Hall, Dominica

U.S. Military Efforts in Dominica Reunite Father, Son

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A Soldier helps load rice on a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter at the port of Roseau, Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers more aid to Dominica

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A Soldier helps load kitchen sets and bags of rice on a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter at the port of Roseau, Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers more aid to Dominica

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U.S. service members with members of the U.S. Agency for International Development and local citizens load water piping on a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers more aid to Dominica

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A Soldier helps load kitchen sets on a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter at the port of Roseau, Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers more aid to Dominica

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A Soldier coordinates air support for relief operations with the crew of a helicopter in Roseau, Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers more aid to Dominica

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A U.S. Marine CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land in Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers more aid to Dominica

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U.S. officials and service members unload aid from helicopter for distribution to the people of Dominica

JTF - Leeward Islands, USAID distribute aid supplies in Dominica

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Two people carry a box of supplies from a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter at a supply distribution point in Dominica

JTF - Leeward Islands, USAID distribute aid supplies in Dominica

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Soldiers head to a meeting with the U.S. Agency for International Development to discuss air operations, Roseau, Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers aid, coordinates relief efforts

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U.S. service members load water into a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers aid, coordinates relief efforts

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A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies over the Caribbean Sea

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers aid, coordinates relief efforts

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A Soldier looks out of the window of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter

JTF - Leeward Islands delivers aid, coordinates relief efforts

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U.S. service members unload supplies from a helicopter in Dominica.

Delivering supplies

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U.S. troops unload water from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter in Roseau, Dominica, Sept. 30, 2017.

JTF - Leeward Islands works with USAID during Dominica disaster relief mission

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U.S. Marines with Joint Task Force - Leeward Islands unroll a tarp as they prepare supplies for distribution in Dominica

JTF - Leeward Islands works with USAID during Dominica disaster relief mission

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U.S. Marines stack boxes of tarps as they prepare supplies for distribution in Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands works with USAID during Dominica disaster relief mission

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U.S. service members unload supplies from a U.S. Army helicopter in Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands works with USAID during Dominica disaster relief mission

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U.S. officials discuss humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Roseau, Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands works with USAID during Dominica disaster relief mission

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Jamaican Defense Force disaster response team soldiers exit the back of an aircraft in Dominica,

Air Commandos transport Jamaican soldiers, civilian disaster response workers to Dominica

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A U.S. Army helicopter disembarks relief personnel in Roseau, Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands Black Hawk helicopters transport relief personnel to Dominica

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View from inside a U.S. Army helicopter as it flies over Roseau, Dominica.

JTF - Leeward Islands Black Hawk helicopters transport relief personnel to Dominica

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A Sailor signals the take off of a U.S. Army helicopter from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp

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A U.S. Navy helicopter on the ground prepares to transport evacuees off Dominica.

Hurricane Maria

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Sailors escort a rescued resident of French Guadalupe from a helicopter on the flight deck of USS Wasp.

Sailors aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1) rescue two civilians

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An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter flies over the island of Dominica during U.S. citizen evacuations and humanitarian relief following the landfall of Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane Maria

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A sailor leads residents with suitcases to a helicopter for evacuation.

Evacuation Line

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A helicopter flies above a damaged tree.

Seahawk Flyover

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Men in uniform carry a person on a stretcher.

Assisting the Injured

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FINAL UPDATE

October 5

Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) completed missions in Dominica on Oct. 5 and ended its support to USAID/OFDA relief efforts in the Caribbean. (RELEASE: Joint Task Force completes support to relief mission in Caribbean)

Final Numbers:

JTF-LI transported more than 340,000 pounds of relief supplies, including plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and water containers provided by USAID.
JTF-LI desalinated 83,020 gallons of water in St. Martin.
At the request of the U.S. State Department and partner-nation governments, JTF-LI also evacuated more than 2,200 U.S. and foreign citizens left stranded by the category five storms in Saint-Martin, Sint Maarten, Dominica, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands.

Overview of USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief

JTF-LI Oct. 4 Update
October 4

Dominica Support
- Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) continues supporting the delivery of USAID/OFDA relief supplies to and within Dominica. To date, JTF-LI has transported more than 116,000 pounds of aid.
- U.S. Navy aircraft also continue providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
JTF-LI Oct. 3 Update
October 3

Dominica Support
- Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) continues supporting the delivery of USAID/OFDA relief supplies to and within Dominica. To date, the task force has transported more than 110,000 pounds of aid.
- Evacuations: To date, JTF-LI has evacuated 188 people from Dominica.
- U.S. Navy aircraft also continue providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
Latest overview of USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief (Fact Sheet #15)
JTF-LI Oct. 2 Update
October 2

Dominica Support and Evacuations
- Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) continues supporting the delivery of USAID/OFDA relief supplies throughout Dominica.
- Yesterday, a U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft transported USAID relief commodities consisting of shelter supplies from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, to Dominica.
- Evacuations: To date, JTF-LI has evacuated 188 people from Dominica.
- U.S. Navy aircraft also continue providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
Latest overview of USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief (Fact Sheet #15)
JTF-LI Oct. 1 Update
October 1

Dominica Support and Evacuations
Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) continues supporting the delivery of USAID/OFDA relief supplies throughout Dominica. A U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft full of USAID relief commodities consisting of shelter supplies departed today from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, to Dominica.
Evacuations: To date, JTF-LI has evacuated 188 people from Dominica.
U.S. Navy aircraft also continue providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
St. Martin Relief Support
JTF-LI completed support operations in St. Martin Sept. 29.
Latest overview of USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief
JTF-LI Sept. 30 Update
Sept. 30

Dominica Support and Evacuations
Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) continues supporting the delivery of USAID/OFDA relief supplies throughout Dominica. A C-130 aircraft full of USAID relief commodities consisting of shelter supplies is scheduled to depart from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, to Dominica.
U.S. military aircraft continue to evacuate people from Dominica. To date, JTF-LI has evacuated 178 people from Dominica.
Yesterday, SOUTHCOM released the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) from support of JTF-LI. The ship is joining relief efforts for U.S. territories in the Caribbean. (RELEASE: USS Wasp to Support Relief for U.S. Territories in Caribbean)
U.S. Navy aircraft also continue providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
St. Martin Relief Support
JTF-LI completed support operations in St. Martin Sept. 29.
Latest overview of USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief
JTF-LI Sept 29 Update

Sept. 29

Dominica Support and Evacuations
Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) continues supporting the delivery of USAID/OFDA relief supplies throughout Dominica.
U.S. military aircraft continue to evacuate people from Dominica. To date, JTF-LI has evacuated 178 people from Dominica.
SOUTHCOM released the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) from support of JTF-LI today. The ship will now join relief efforts for U.S. territories in the Caribbean. (RELEASE: USS Wasp to Support Relief for U.S. Territories in Caribbean)
Yesterday, Wasp was instrumental in the rescue of two survivors from a plane crash in the waters off of Dominica. (See U.S. Navy Twitter status on rescue)
U.S. Navy aircraft also continue providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
St. Martin Relief Support
JTF-LI has completed support operations in St. Martin. The contingent in St. Martin will now join JTF-LI personnel overseeing operations in Martinique.
Working with USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) teams in St. Martin, JTF-LI is operated two water-production sites, each with four desalination units and helped generate more than 83,020 gallons of water for household use. (Source: USAID)
Latest overview of USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief (Fact Sheet #14)
JTF-LI Sept. 28 Update
Sept. 28

Dominica Support and Evacuations
Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) is supporting the rapid delivery of USAID/OFDA relief supplies throughout Dominica, including isolated areas. (RELATED: USAID Airlifts Critical Relief Items for Caribbean Hurricane Response)
U.S. military aircraft continue to evacuate people from Dominica. To date, JTF-LI has evacuated 170 people from Dominica. U.S. Navy aircraft also continue providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
St. Martin Relief Support
Working with USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) teams in St. Martin, JTF-LI is operating two water-production sites, each with four desalination units. To date, the desalination units have generated more than 83,020 gallons of water for household use. (Source: USAID)
Latest overview of USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief (Fact Sheet #14)
JTF-LI Sept. 27 Update
Sept. 27

Dominica Support and Evacuations

Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) is scheduled to begin supporting the distribution of USAID relief supplies. (RELATED: USAID Airlifts Critical Relief Items for Caribbean Hurricane Response)

U.S. military aircraft continue to evacuate people from Dominica. As of Wednesday morning, JTF-LI had evacuated 168 people from Dominica. U.S. Navy aircraft also continue providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.

St. Martin Relief Support

U.S military forces continue to produce water in St. Martin. Working with USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) teams in St. Martin JTF-LI had re-established the two water-production sites, each with four desalination units. To date, the desalination units generated more than 76,500 gallons of potable water for household use. (Source: USAID)

Latest overview of USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief (Fact Sheet #13)
JTF-LI Sept. 26 Update
Sept. 26

Dominica Support and Evacuations
Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) expects to begin supporting the distribution of USAID relief supplies in the coming days.
U.S. military aircraft continue to evacuate people from Dominica. As of Tuesday morning, JTF-LI had evacuated 157 people from Dominica. U.S. Navy aircraft also continue providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
St. Martin Relief Support
U.S military forces continue to produce water in St. Martin. Working with USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) teams in St. Martin JTF-LI had re-established the two water-production sites, each with four desalination units. Between Sept. 15 and 25, the desalination units generated more than 68,800 gallons of potable water for household use. (Source: USAID)
Latest overview of USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief (Fact Sheet #13)
JTF-LI Sept. 25 - 15 Updates
Sept. 25
Dominica Support and Evacuations
Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) is expected to begin supporting the distribution of USAID relief supplies in the coming days.
U.S. military aircraft continue to evacuate people from Dominica. As of Monday morning, JTF-LI has evacuated 105 people from Dominica. U.S. Navy aircraft are also providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
St. Martin Relief support
U.S military forces continue to produce water in St. Martin. As of Sept. 21, the JTF-LI had re-established the two water-production sites, each with four desalination units, and had recommenced the production of water for household use. Between Sept. 15 and 22, the desalination units generated more than 41,500 gallons of potable water. As of Sept. 21, the Department of Defense had contributed nearly $5.6 million in Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid funds in logistics support. (Source: USAID)
USAID Caribbean Hurricanes Relief Fact Sheet #12
Sept. 24
Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) is expected to complete the relocation of its base of operations from Puerto Rico to three Caribbean locations today. The task force is moving its main command and control element to Martinique while shifting the bases for its fixed-wing aircraft to Barbados and rotary-wing aircraft to Guadeloupe. (See: RELEASE: Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands relocates base of operations)
Dominica Support and Evacuations
U.S. military helicopters are transporting U.S. citizens from various locations to the designated evacuation point at Douglas-Charles (Melville) Airport. U.S. military C-130 Hercules aircraft continue to evacuate U.S. citizens from Douglas-Charles (Melville) Airport to Martinique. As of Sunday morning, JTF-LI has evacuated 62 U.S. citizens from Dominica. (See U.S. State Department Hurricane Maria notice to citizens)
U.S. Navy aircraft are providing overflight assessments to capture imagery of conditions on the ground in Dominica to assist USAID/OFDA relief planners.
St. Martin Relief support
U.S military forces continue to produce water in St. Martin. To date, Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) has purified more than 22,000 gallons and distributed more than 7,000 gallons of water, delivered nine water purification systems, as well as high-capacity forklifts and vehicles to help the Dutch and French governments offload and distribute aid to the island’s residents.
Sept. 23
Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) is relocating its base of operations from Puerto Rico to three Caribbean locations in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The task force is moving its main command and control element to Martinique while shifting the bases for its fixed-wing aircraft to Barbados and rotary-wing aircraft to Guadeloupe. The relocation was necessary due to the impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico and the need to have supporting U.S. forces closer to St. Martin and Dominica. JTF-LI had been primarily operating out of Muñiz Air National Guard Base in San Juan. The move includes about 300 military personnel, eight helicopters and four C-130 Hercules aircraft. (See: RELEASE: Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands relocates base of operations)
Yesterday, U.S. Southern Command expanded the JTF-LI mission to include support to the government of Dominica after Hurricane Maria. The expanded mission includes the addition of the U.S. Navy amphibious ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) to join JTF-LI.
Dominica Support and Evacuations
The U.S. military is providing C-130 evacuation flights from Douglas-Charles (Melville) Airport during daylight hours today. For U.S. citizens who are injured or otherwise unable to traverse the island, the U.S. military is providing a limited number of helicopter flights from Portsmouth to the Douglas-Charles Airport.
St. Martin Relief support
U.S military forces continue to produce water in St. Martin. To date, Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) has purified more than 22,000 gallons and distributed more than 7,000 gallons of water, delivered nine water purification systems, as well as high-capacity forklifts and vehicles to help the Dutch and French governments offload and distribute aid to the island’s residents.
To date, U.S. military forces have evacuated 2,073 American citizens from St. Martin and Anguilla.
Sept. 22
First update since Sept. 19
U.S. Southern Command has expanded the Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) mission to include support to the government of Dominica. The task force is scheduled to begin Dominica assistance over the next 24 hours. The task force has also resumed relief support in St. Martin following the suspension of operations Sept. 18 due to Hurricane Maria.
Dominica support
SOUTHCOM directed the U.S. Navy amphibious ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) to join Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI), where it will support U.S. State Department assistance to U.S. citizens in Dominica, as well as U.S. foreign disaster assistance requested by Caribbean nations impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. USS Wasp arrived today with two embarked SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters, bringing the total military helicopters assigned to the task force to 10. (See USS Wasp support press release)
Additionally, a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft has provided overflight assessments of damaged areas.
St. Martin support
To date, Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) has purified more than 22,000 gallons and distributed more than 7,000 gallons of water, delivered nine water purification systems, as well as high-capacity forklifts and vehicles to help the Dutch and French governments offload and distribute aid to the island’s residents.
Evacuations
To date, U.S. military forces have evacuated 2,073 American citizens from St. Martin and Anguilla.
Sept. 19

NOTE: Due to the imminent impact of Hurricane Maria on the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, U.S. Southern Command has directed Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands to suspend support of relief operations and shelter personnel and equipment at Muñiz Air National Guard Base and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen in Puerto Rico. The C-130 aircraft supporting the task force from Puerto Rico will relocate to MacDill Air Force Base and Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. A small element of the task force will shelter in St. Martin and work closely with French and Dutch authorities following the passing of the storm to resume support of relief operations when conditions permit.

Here is a quick rundown of what's new Sept. 19:
- The JTF-LI has produced (purified) 21,000 gallons of water and distributed more than 7,500 gallons of water to date. Nine total Light Water Purification Systems are deployed to St. Martin. Water production is currently suspended due to Hurricane Maria.
Evacuations
To date, U.S. military forces have evacuated 2,073 American citizens from St. Martin and Anguilla.
Sept. 18
Due to the imminent impact of Hurricane Maria on the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, U.S. Southern Command has directed Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands to suspend support of relief operations and shelter personnel and equipment at Muñiz Air National Guard Base and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen in Puerto Rico. The C-130 aircraft supporting the task force from Puerto Rico will relocate to MacDill Air Force Base and Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. A small element of the task force will shelter in St. Martin and work closely with French and Dutch authorities following the passing of the storm to resume support of relief operations when conditions permit.
Here is a quick rundown of what's happening today and relief support so far:
- A C-17 will deliver 56 short tons of water to St. Martin.
- A C-5 will deliver 4xLMTV (5-ton vehicles) to St. Martin
- A C-130 will deliver 4xLWPS (Light Water Purification Systems) to St. Martin.
- The JTF-LI element that will remain in St. Martin is comprised of 32 personnel (2x personnel will shelter w/ the French HQ and 30x personnel will shelter at Princess Julianna International Airport)
- The JTF-LI has produced (purified) 18,700 gallons of water and distributed more than 4,500 gallons of water to date.
Evacuations
To date, U.S. military forces have evacuated 2,073 American citizens from St. Martin and Anguilla.
Sept. 17

In collaboration with members of the USAID regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and local authorities, Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands purified more than 7,800 gallons of water, 2,000 gallons of which have been distributed to date.

Assigned aircraft continue to provide airlift support to the relief effort.

Evacuations
To date, Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) has evacuated 2,067 American citizens from St. Martin and Anguilla.

Sept. 16

In collaboration with members of the USAID regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and local authorities, Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands purified more than 4,000 gallons of water, 2,000 gallons of which have been distributed to date.

Assigned aircraft continue to provide airlift support to the relief effort.

USNS Spearhead arrived in St. Martin and is offloading 50,000 gallons of fuel, 81,000 bottles of water and 1,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's). The fuel is to be used for reverse osmosis water purification systems in St. Martin.

Evacuations
To date, Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) has evacuated 2,063 American citizens from St. Martin and Anguilla.

Sept. 15 update

In collaboration with members of the USAID regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands installed two lightweight desalination units in the French collectivity of St. Martin on Sept. 14. USAID/OFDA and the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Government of France, continue working to facilitate access to safe drinking water among hurricane-affected communities in St. Martin. (See USAID’s Irma relief fact sheet #8)

Evacuations
To date, Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) has evacuated 2,061 American citizens from St. Martin and Anguilla.

About Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands

U.S. Southern Command established Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) Sept. 9 to support U.S. disaster relief operations led by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA).

JTF-LI deployed to the region after Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the Caribbean and responded rapidly with critically-needed capabilities to deliver assistance and aid to areas identified as priorities by USAID/OFDA in coordination with the governments of Dominica, Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten.

At its peak strength, the task force included more than 300 Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen, as well as 10 Army and Marine helicopters, four U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft, the U.S. Navy’s amphibious ship USS Wasp, the expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead, and support from Navy P8 Poseidon and P3 Orion aerial reconnaissance aircraft.

Background on U.S. Military Support to Foreign Disaster Relief Efforts

Any U.S. military foreign disaster relief mission is in support of U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of U.S Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), which serves as the lead U.S. federal agency for foreign disaster relief efforts.

Support must be requested by the host nation. U.S. military forces support the comprehensive U.S. government disaster response approach led by USAID/OFDA.

Historically, U.S. military capabilities are needed most in the critical early stages of a disaster relief operation, when fewer resources, capabilities and disaster-response experts are available to help victims and impacted communities. As a disaster relief mission progresses and more experienced experts arrive to aid longer-term recovery and reconstruction, U.S. military capabilities are typically no longer requested and the roles previously performed by military units are assumed by other relief organizations.

Over the last several years, SOUTHCOM has provided disaster assistance in the Caribbean, most notably in Haiti (Hurricane Matthew relief in 2016 and earthquake relief in 2010).

See all JTF-LI News

Oct. 5, 2017

RELEASE: Joint Task Force completes support to relief mission in Caribbean

Oct. 3, 2017

Special Operations Forces getting the job done in Caribbean

Sept. 29, 2017

RELEASE: USS Wasp to Support Relief for U.S. Territories in Caribbean

Sept. 26, 2017

Joint Task Force - Leeward Islands begins evacuation of U.S. citizens in Dominica

Sept. 23, 2017

RELEASE: Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands relocates base of operations

Sept. 22, 2017