An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Feb. 20, 2018

Army Reserve Answers First Call for Disaster Support Relief in American Samoa

9th Mission Support Command Public Affairs

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa -- When disaster strikes at home, who answers the call to clean up and rebuild? Immediately after a destructive storm, U.S. Army Reserve forces in American Samoa took immediate action.

In concert and coordination with various federal, state, local, interagency, and non-governmental organization partners, U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers transported Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and American Red Cross relief supplies and equipment to support their fellow citizens following the destructive path of Tropical Cyclone Gita across the island of American Samoa Feb 11-16.

Over 300 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers currently reside and work in American Samoa.

"We are part of this community. We are members of the community and it is ours to protect," Lt. Col. Clinton C. Seybold, commander of the U.S. Army Reserve American Samoa Detachment said. "We are very proud to be here to help the American people and the people of American Samoa are American people."

The U.S. Army Reserve is additionally providing its Pago Pago facility as a staging base for Federal agencies to operate out of as they conduct their recovery operations.

"Our facility is being used as a staging area, it's very convenient for federal assets," he said. "It has been designated the federal team staging facility for the military personnel part of the federal response they come check in with us and if need be we house them."

An emergency declaration was made by Governor of the U.S. territory of American Samoa Lolo Matalasi Moliga and approved by President Donald Trump allowing aid to be distributed to the island territory.

As the island rebuilds, American Samoa's Army Reserve Soldiers will continue to work providing capabilities that support their communities, families, and neighbors.

"We are here to answer the call wherever we are needed," Seybold said. "It just so happened this time we were needed at home."
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,083
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

AUKUS Trilateral Statement
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - The Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia; the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom; and Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense,...

U.S., India launch Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024
Courtesy Photo
March 21, 2024 - Indian and U.S. combined armed forces began Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024 with the arrival of amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), March 18 and an opening ceremony March 19.This is the third time U.S. and...

USACE: Ensuring Safety Every Step of the Way
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work in Japan for all military services and agencies. With over 60 years of experience in designing and constructing facilities in Japan, JED possesses the experience in Japanese standards and specifications, regulations, construction practices, maintenance requirements, and culture needed to ensure facilities are built with the utmost safety and professionalism. Photo by Charles Maib.
March 21, 2024 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work...

THAAD Battery in Guam Successfully Completes Table VIII Evaluation
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense launcher used by E-3 Air Defense Artillery THAAD Battery as part of their Table VIII certification in Dededo, Guam, March 13, 2024. The THAAD battery, equipped with a state-of-the-art missile defense system, is tasked with defending Guam against ballistic missile threats. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Trevor Wild)
March 21, 2024 - In a testament to readiness and operational excellence, Task Force Talon's E-3 ADA THAAD Battery conducted a Table VIII evaluation for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system stationed in Guam, March 11-15,...