Hawaii Guardsmen assess damages in American Samoa

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa --  Hawaii Guardsmen from the U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Air National Guard Assessed damages in the Pago Pago and Leone villages of American Samoa Oct. 1. 

More than 30 active-duty Guardsmen and traditional Guardsmen split into two groups to conduct search and rescue and assessment procedures. The units participating are the 93rd Civil Support Team, a joint unit comprised of active duty Army National Guardsmen and active duty Air National Guardsmen, and Air National Guardsmen from the 154th Medical Group/ Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and Explosives Enhanced Response Force Package (CERF-P). 

Many of the Soldiers and Airmen were glad to come to American Samoa to help with relief. 

"It's rewarding coming out here to something like this to help those in need," said Capt. Jason Iyomasa, 154th ANG CERFP Team Leader, a native of Honolulu. 

Captain Iyomasa and three members of his team joined with Maj. Joe Laurel, the 93rd CST Team leader and Honolulu native and nine of his members as they coordinated with local Pago Pago Harbor authorities with the assessing the needs of the area. The remaining members traveled to Leone to help officials locate a child that was reported missing at the conclusion of the tsunami. 

"We met our objectives of checking the safety of individuals and families, assisting local authorities with search and rescue efforts and assessing vital needs of the local populace in the impacted areas," said Major Laurel. "Our coordination with local authorities went very well."

The main problem was structural as many people were displaced because their homes were destroyed. 

"As our search and rescue efforts finish, we now will start to focus on finding shelters for the many displaced, along with finding distribution points for food and water," said Maj. Laurel. 

Military members acted quickly in responding to the tsunami, which occurred Sept. 29. 

The first teams left Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, on Sept. 30, which illustrates the awareness and keen sense of urgency that U.S. forces have within the Pacific Command.