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  • By Joint Region Marianas

Joint Region Marianas to host Exercise Typhoon Pakyo 2019


Service members from Joint Region Marianas and other units from within U.S. Indo-Pacific Command assigned to Task Force-West are providing Department of Defense support to the CNMI’s civil and local officials as part of the FEMA-supported Typhoon Yutu recovery efforts. Photo Bby Staff Sgt. James Kennedy Benjami

Joint Region Marianas, U.S. Naval Base Guam, and Andersen Air Force Base will hold Exercise Typhoon Pakyo 2019 from May 29 to June 6. The annual exercise is designed to enhance readiness of military and local agencies to prepare for heavy weather conditions in the region. Commanding officers and participating agencies will train command, control and communications capabilities, readiness preparation, personnel accountability, disaster preparedness and recovery. “Exercise Typhoon Pakyo allows us to work with our local and federal partners to improve our communication, preparedness and response when it comes to these natural disasters,” said Joint Region Marianas Chief of Staff Capt. Hans Sholley. “Guam and the Mariana Islands are right in the middle of typhoon alley, which makes us susceptible to storms year round and Pakyo is just one way we can better train and prepare our people.” During the training, the U.S. Naval Base Guam emergency alert system, commonly referred to as the Giant Voice, will be activated in the following areas: Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Guam, South Finegayan housing, Flag Circle, I Puntan at Nimitz Hill, North and South Tipalao, Camp Covington, Apra View, Navy Munitions Site, U.S. Coast Guard and Polaris Point. Residents and patrons in surrounding areas should not be alarmed if they see and hear increased activity associated with the exercise. “The JRM Typhoon Pakyo exercise is a great opportunity to work with all stakeholders, Government of Guam, federal partners and military partners to better understand roles and responsibilities ahead of an actual catastrophic typhoon,” stated Office of Civil Defense Administrator Charles Esteves. “The JRM exercise will prepare stakeholders for the government of Guam’s Typhoon Pakyo workshop in June.”

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