HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force worked together with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure the April 1 delivery of a shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) to medical responders in American Samoa and the strategic deepwater Port of Pago Pago, according to a Coast Guard release.
“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 for the Coast Guard’s 14th District.
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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, on April 1, after earlier movement from the Strategic National Stockpile by the Air Force 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.
