By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Department of War is grateful for the opportunity to assist and is ready to execute any mission to help the CNMI recover from the devastation of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
During a press conference Saturday, Joint Task Force–Micronesia Commander Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky and Capt. Harry Elliott, the defense coordinating officer representing Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth, expressed gratitude that the Department of War, through U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is able to assist the Commonwealth during the disaster response.
Gov. David M. Apatang thanked federal partners for coming to the islands to help restore critical services and deliver emergency assistance to the community.
Lasky said JTF-Micronesia is coordinating Department of War support to FEMA, noting it is an INDOPACOM-wide effort in which U.S. Army Pacific serves as the lead service component.
“We are in support of U.S. Army Pacific, and we are coordinating the various service contributions here on the ground,” he said.
He described the response as a major team effort, expressing gratitude for collaboration with CNMI and federal partners, including FEMA.
“We are just grateful we are able to help,” Lasky said.
Capt. Elliott, whose role as DCO is to coordinate with CNMI officials on unmet needs that the military can support, said it was “a great honor and privilege” to serve as the DCO in the CNMI for his third super typhoon response.
He said he wanted to express his sincere gratitude.
“Our response starts local, and the leadership on the ground has been truly impressive. The coordination and communication among all partners — the federal agencies, local agencies, mayors’ offices, the congresswoman, non-government organizations, and the people on the streets — is truly humbling to see,” Elliott said.
He echoed Lasky, saying, “We stand ready to execute any mission given to us and will do so to the best of our ability, and I’m proud to be out here.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
