FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
After a relatively quiet summer free of storms and tropical disturbances, Hurricane Ian, a deadly and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane roared into southwest Florida causing widespread devastation and loss of lives on Sept. 28. The storm continued its destructive path up the Atlantic coastline lashing coastal communities in South Carolina and Georgia with massive storm surges.
In preparation for Hurricane Ian, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Task Force Americas advance team arrived in Warner Robbins Air Force Base, Georgia, to execute its Defense Support to Civil Authorities operations and assist Federal Emergency Management Agency fuel requirements on Sept. 26. DLA Fuel contingency contracts were activated providing over 70,000 gallons of diesel, 40,000 gallons of gasoline and 18,000 pounds of propane which were staged at Incident Support Base Warner Robbins AFB and two other staging areas Immokalee and Lakeland, Florida.
In addition to DLA Energy TFA’s fuel support, as of Oct. 3 DLA has deployed 30 personnel as part of DLA Distribution Expeditionary team in support of FEMA Incident Support Base Maxwell, Montgomery, Alabama. In the first six days of operations, DDXX has received 742 trucks and shipped 460 trucks containing water, food and trailers. DLA has additional DDXX teams on stand-by to deploy if additional resources are required. DLA has also deployed two people to ISB Warner Robins for fuel support and two people to FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center.
“DLA is working with U.S. Northern Command, FEMA, and state and local officials in supporting the overall Federal disaster response,” said DLA Energy Americas Commander Army Col. Josielyn Carrasquillo. “The fuel is used at critical infrastructure points and by emergency responders; thus, enabling emergency response operations and saving lives.”
In times of national disasters and hurricanes, DLA Energy and its Task Force Americas provides vital fuel support to the nation. As the executive agent for Class III products, petroleum, oil and lubricants, DLA Energy provides support to FEMA through its multi-purpose fuel contingency contact with a designated fuel contractor.
Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida causing record flooding and devastation. It crossed over Florida, moved into the Atlantic, made second landfall in South Carolina, and impacted Georgia and North Carolina. The storm, one of the strongest hurricanes in U.S. history, cut a wide path of destruction creating widespread power outages and infrastructure damage. An Emergency Declaration for Florida was approved Sept. 25.
“We have been extremely busy with Hurricane Ian preparation and emergency response efforts supporting Warfighter and FEMA operations,” Carrasquillo said. “Prior to landfall, DLA Energy Americas East went to great lengths to ensure the Department of Defense supply chain was well prepared.”
DLA Energy Task Force Americas team and the local quality assurance representative will remain at Warner Robbins AFB ensuring that ground fuel products are available for FEMA and on specification to support rotary wing search and rescue operations. Post-storm assessments are being completed and Americas remains postured to support any emerging requirements, Carrasquillo added.
Air Force Maj. Timothy Truong is a new member of the DLA Energy Americas East team and the Task Force Americas onsite leader.
“It is amazing to see how DLA and FEMA works together to get Florida back on the road,” Truong said. “Everyone has been outstanding, and I have learned so much about the power of our logistics system. The everyday heroes, the truck drivers and mechanics that can fix a tire in a jam and turn a truck in a minute really humble you and makes you proud to see how America comes together to help their neighbors in need.”
The Task Force Americas team was in the process of wrapping up Hurricane Fiona support when they diverted to support Hurricane Ian. More than one major hurricane hitting the U.S. in a season is unusual, but it happened in 2017 with back-to-back Category 4 hurricanes Harvey and Irma, followed shortly thereafter by Maria, which was Category 5 when it struck Puerto Rico.
Working in close coordination with USNORTHCOM, Bob Gagnon is the DLA FEMA liaison officer. He was finishing up support efforts for Hurricane Fiona and had to rapidly turn efforts to address Hurricane Ian.
“DLA received the FEMA Mission Assignment task order on Sept. 27 to activate DLA LNO to support the National Response Coordination Center in support Hurricane Ian,” Gagnon said. “A Presidential Major Disaster Response Declaration was signed that provides funding for individual and public assistance for response to Hurricane Ian.”
Since March 2006, DLA Energy has provided ground fuel support to meet FEMA’s fuel requirements during presidentially declared national emergencies and disasters. Notable DLA Energy deployments include Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and in 2017, three hurricanes within 30 days; Harvey, Irma and Maria.
“The AME Team has done a fantastic job to remain resilient in the face of Hurricane Ian and the flooding and destruction left in its wake,” Carrasquillo said. I would also like to recognize the outstanding job the entire DLA Team is doing to ensure the efficient and effective operations of the Mission Command Vehicle Task Force Americas, which the team is operating out of. We are one Energy Team always ready to support our Warfighter and Nation.”