Villamor Airbase, Philippines. (February 11, 2024):   Displaying their softer side, American Marines came to the rescue of thousands of Filipinos effected by recent severe flooding and landslides. In this photo by Sergeant Savannah Mesimer, Marines with Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, alongside Philippine military and coast guard service members palletize Department of Social Welfare and Development aid for distribution.

The February floods affected 1.7 million people, displaced at least 300,000, and damaged or destroyed 1,600 houses. The resulting landslides caused up to ninety deaths with another fifty people missing. Many of these casualties occurred because of a landslide triggered by rainfall in the gold-mining Barangay of Masara, Davao de Oro province.

At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) rapidly transported 15,000 family food packs - ensuring over 75,000 people devastated by catastrophe had access to life sustaining assistance. Working with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the III MEF conducted ten support missions to deliver much needed supplies using its KC-130J Hercules aircraft. The 27,000 members of the III MEF are forward based in Japan which allows the Marines to move quickly to support allies in time of need.

In addition to the Marine’s help, the U.S. Agency for International Development is providing an additional $1.25 million in humanitarian aid. The agency works year-round to help communities in the Philippines prepare for and be more resilient to natural disasters. 

When not coming to the rescue in disasters, the Marines and sailors of III MEF engage in more than 65 combined training exercises annually throughout the Asia-Pacific region.