NEWS RELEASE: Marine Corps Aviation provides assets to Support Civil Authorities During Kilauea Eruption

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DAVID Y.  IGE
GOVERNOR

MAJ. GEN. ARTHUR J. LOGAN
DIRECTOR

MEDIA RELEASE

Marine Corps Aviation provides assets to Support Civil Authorities During Kilauea Eruption

Hilo, HI – The U.S. Marine Corps has deployed two large transport helicopters to Hilo in support of Joint Task Force 5-0, the joint military force assisting Hawaii County with the current Kilauea eruption.  The helicopters will provide 24/7 coverage in the event that a quick evacuation of residents in lower Puna is required.  The two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters and their respective air crews from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 (HMH-463) are a welcome addition to JTF-50’s Aviation Task Force.

Each CH-53E can carry more than 50 passengers at a time. “The additional helicopter support from USPACOM and MARFORPAC provides the County of Hawaii and Hawaii’s Joint Task Force-50 tremendous capability. We now have the capacity to evacuate all of the estimated population of lower Puna south of the lava flow within a few hours,” said JTF 5-0 commander, Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hara.

The Marine Corps Base Hawaii-based Super Stallions, with an internal lifting capability of 30,000 pounds, are uniquely qualified for this heavy lift mission.

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Media Contacts:

Hawaii National Guard:
Lt. Col. Charles Anthony
Director, Public Affairs
808-733-4258
[email protected]

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific:
Chuck Little
Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff
Communication Strategy and Operations (CommStrat)
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific
(808) 477-8309
[email protected]