Help From Above: U.S. Marines Airlift Relief to Hurricane-Hit Jamaica
Nov. 18, 2025 | By Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Brett Norman and Air Force Capt. Kaylee Schanda
U.S. Forces Deliver Fast and Heavy Aid to Jamaica
Joint Task Force Bravo, working with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, supported Jamaica with major humanitarian assistance after Hurricane Melissa. The mission ran from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13 and focused on reaching communities cut off by the storm.
To strengthen the response, the U.S. military deployed nine aircraft—three CH-47 Chinooks, three UH-60 Black Hawks, and three CH-53E Super Stallions operating from the USS San Antonio.
Hundreds of Flights Bring Food, Water, and Supplies
Across the mission, aircrews completed 133 flights and 249 flight hours. They delivered more than 779,000 pounds of relief supplies, including:
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600,000 pounds of food and water
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179,000 pounds of equipment
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428 movements of key personnel
Col. Robert Snyder, commander of JTF Bravo, praised the team:
“Our service members showed remarkable skill and professionalism—from pilots flying long hours to the crews handling logistics, maintenance, and communications. I am extremely proud of them.”
Partnership With Jamaica Strengthens Disaster Response
JTF Bravo and the 22nd MEU worked closely with the Jamaica Defense Force and the U.S. State Department’s Disaster Assistance Response Team. This partnership allowed them to reach dozens of communities that were inaccessible due to destroyed roads and damaged infrastructure.
Snyder said the cooperation highlighted a shared commitment: “Everyone had the same goal—save lives and help the people of Jamaica.”
Refueling Points and Air Control Boost Mission Speed
To keep helicopters operating with minimal downtime, the task force established a forward arming and refueling point. It supplied nearly 25,000 gallons of fuel, enabling aircraft to return to the air quickly after each mission.
The 22nd MEU also deployed a Marine air traffic control mobile team. They coordinated safe flight operations, checked helicopter landing zones, and oversaw the loading of supplies.
Lt. Col. Zach Hornbaker, commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 26, said:
“Providing foreign humanitarian assistance is a core part of our mission. I’m proud of what we accomplished together.”
A Rapid Response to a Devastating Storm
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on Oct. 28 as a Category 5 storm with 185-mph winds. Within three days, U.S. personnel were on the ground assessing damage and helping move emergency food, water, and shelter materials to the hardest-hit areas.
Lt. Col. Morton Stewart of the Jamaica Defense Force said the united response demonstrated strong regional cooperation and trust between both nations.
Decades of Partnership in the Region
For more than 50 years, U.S. Southern Command has worked to enhance security and stability across the Western Hemisphere. JTF Bravo supports this mission by providing rapid medical, airlift, logistics, and disaster relief.
The 22nd MEU added aviation and logistics support to ensure fast and flexible assistance for the people of Jamaica as they recover from the storm.
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