Department of Defense

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

#2018-009                                               May 24, 2018

For Immediate Release

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.

###

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]