An Urgent Situation
Photo by SCMCS (SW/NAC) Spike Call.
By Lt. Brandon Sheets
Photo by SCMCS (SW/NAC) Spike Call.
January-February 2009
hile the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) CSG was on a routine deployment in the Pacific, typhoon Fengshen tore across the Philippine Islands, leaving a wake of destruction. Fengshen caused an estimated 1,400 deaths and $240 million in damage before it downgraded to a tropical storm. One island, Panay, particularly was hit hard, having many areas completely isolated because of downed power lines and massive landslides. Many homes were destroyed or filled with mud, and the people were left with no fresh water and little food. Within 11 hours of receiving the order, the Reagan CSG began HA/DR operations for the people of Panay. Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4, of Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard Reagan, took on the immediate task of planning this inland relief mission. 29
