DLA Energy continues support for FEMA Hurricane Irma relief

CAMP BLANDING JOINT TRAINING CENTER, Florida – Defense Logistics Agency Energy’s Task Force Americas relocated from Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, to Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in Starke, Florida, to support Federal Emergency Management Agency relief operations there, Sept. 14.

Before Hurricane Irma struck Key West and other parts of Florida, DLA Energy, FEMA and the National Guard were on standby at Warner Robins and other nearby towns ready to provide relief support to emergency response teams. Damage assessments and restoration efforts are underway throughout the region. As of Sept. 14, the remnants of Irma have dissipated; however some flooding continues in portions of Florida and Georgia.

“Our team closed down operations at Warner Robins and became 100 percent operational at Camp Blanding in less than 48 hours without degrading fuel operations inside the joint operations area,” said Army Lt. Col. Josiel Carrasquillo, DLA Energy Americas at Houston commander and Task Force Americas commander during a briefing update.

The remaining trucks that are at Fort Hood, Texas in support of Hurricane Harvey relief operations are relocating to Camp Blanding as well, she added.

As of Sept. 14, there were more than 200 contracted Foster Fuels trucks stationed at Warner Robins and distributed more than 554,000 gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline.

“The team is doing awesome work and is having a direct impact on the relief efforts,” said DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Martin Chapin. “Every time a utility trucks goes out and power is back on for citizens, it’s because we provided them fuel and everyone who is supporting this effort should be proud.”

U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. Marine Corps Forces South are leading efforts to assist FEMA relief operations after Hurricane Irma made landfall on Sept. 10 near Marco Island, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane and moved up the Florida peninsula and into Georgia.

“We provided SOUTHCOM a menu of operations for St. Martin, including barges, 150 containers and fuel trucks that can be shipped into the island,” said DLA Energy Operations Chief Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jim Zakar.

Joint Task Force Leeward Islands will be handling operations from St. Martin’s Princess Juliana Airport, St. Martin.

DLA Energy is working with its service control points to determine the requirements to assist relief operations in St. Martin and Anguilla. A fuel request from the Army 602nd Area Support Medical Company is being contracted.

The agency will send 55-gallon drums to store 1,600 gallons of fuel per day for operations. Daily requirements will be for jet A1 and diesel fuel, used to support generators, ground vehicles and aviation assets.

While recovery operations in response to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma continue, Hurricane Jose has weakened to a Category 1 storm. It has maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center.