USS Freedom Heads to Philippines

This is the second San Diego-based Navy ship preparing to deliver aid to victims impacted by Typhoon Haiyan

San Diego-based USS Freedom (LCS 1) is now on its way to the Philippines to deliver aid to the typhoon-ravaged region, the Navy confirmed.

According to Navy officials, the ship arrived at Bruneiโ€™s port of Muara Monday to load up on fuel and supplies in preparation to support disaster relief efforts in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

The Navy vessel is one of three ships heading to the Philippines for Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR).

Last week, San Diego-based USNS Mercy began preparing for its voyage. That ship is expected to arrive in the disaster zone in late December.

Navy officials said USS Freedomโ€™s MH-60R helicopter is an important asset in HA/DR efforts. The ship also carries 10 pallets of HA/DR supplies, including pallets of hygienic and medical supplies.

"It's a tremendous opportunity to join our ships and those from other navies that are already in the Philippines providing relief. We are prepared to help out in any way possible," said Freedom's independent duty corpsman, Chief Hospital Corpsman Blair Taylor, in a media release Tuesday.


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