At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the Department of Defense is supporting Hurricane Ida relief efforts of FEMA and the state of Louisiana with a joint force capable of providing unique capabilities required for immediate life-saving and life-sustaining efforts. 

The following units are actively participating in the effort:

•    The 687th Engineer Company will be arriving from Ft. Polk, LA. They will provide 40 vehicles and over 170 personnel to assist with clearing debris from roads and highways in affected regions of eastern Louisiana.

•    Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 will provide 20 High-Water Vehicles (HWV) and 65 personnel from Gulfport, Miss. 

•    The 61st Quartermaster Battalion will provide 20 vehicles and over 150 personnel from Ft. Hood, TX. Both units will be assisting in the transport of provisions and supplies to various regions in eastern Louisiana.

“The ability to rapidly assemble and deploy joint forces has reverberated amongst every unit involved. The integration of operations with the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps has been seamless and successful. We are all dedicated to supporting FEMA and Louisiana officials for as long as it takes.” stated BGen. John F. Kelliher III, commander of the Marine Corps Forces Northern Command Forward Command Element.

Marine Corps Forces Northern Command is U.S. Northern Command’s designated Lead Component Command to rapidly deploy military personnel and assets in support of civil authorities to assist interagency partners respond to Hurricanes during 2021 when requested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and approved by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.