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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Malong, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning refrigeration journeyman assigned to the 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers, locks water pipes for a Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU) at Pao Pao Beach, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, April 28, 2026. ROWPU was deployed in support of bringing usable water to Saipan residents through a series of filtration processes. All support efforts are conducted in close coordination with local, territorial, and federal partners to ensure a unified and efficient response to Typhoon Sinlaku disaster relief. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Manasseh Demissie)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Lilian Perez, 36th Contingency Response Squadron aerial port journeyman, operates a 10K forklift to unload supplies at Saipan International Airport, Saipan,Northern Marianas Islands, April 19, 2026. The delivery supports humanitarian efforts for islands impacted by Super Typhoon Sinlaku. (U.S. Air Force by Senior Airman Joseph Maye)

513th RED HORSE rehabilitate, survey land for Tinian’s Northfield

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. James O’Neal, engineering assistant craftsman assigned to the 513th Expeditionary Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers, and Airman 1st Class Paige Finn, 513th ERHS engineering assistant journeyman, plant stakes into the ground to survey land at Camp Tinian, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, April 28, 2026. O’Neal and Finn surveyed the land to find a water basin to help prevent water damaging nearby equipment and facilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Xavier Romero)

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Airmen assigned to the 36th Wing Crisis Action Team coordinate response efforts at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, following Super Typhoon Sinlaku. The CAT serves as the central hub for decision-making and mission synchronization in support of Joint Task Force-Micronesia and FEMA-led relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin McCormick Jr.)

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U.S. Airmen assigned to the 36th Contingency Response Squadron offload a diesel powered water pump from a K-loader at Saipan International Airport, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, April 27, 2026. The water pump draws raw water to a Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit that is deployed in support of bringing usable water to Saipan residents through a series of filtration processes. All support efforts are conducted in close coordination with local, territorial and federal partners to ensure a unified and efficient response to Typhoon Sinlaku disaster relief. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Manasseh Demissie)

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A C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing takes off to support disaster relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Sinlaku at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, April 23, 2026. Government and military organizations will continue to adapt and provide support where it is most needed to help communities recover as quickly as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Audree Campbell)

36th Civil Engineer Squadron supports community recovery efforts following Typhoon Sinlaku

Airmen from the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron supported installation recovery efforts and communities in the Northern Mariana Islands through a large-scale donation drive at Andersen Air Force Base Guam, April 30, 2026. 36 CES Airmen helped organize and execute collection efforts for essential supplies, including food, water, and hygiene items, to assist families impacted by the storm. (Courtesy photo)

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U.S. Airmen assigned to the 36th Contingency Response Squadron approach a C-130J Hercules containing supplies on the flightline at Saipan International Airport, Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands, April 19, 2026. Joint military members from across U.S. Indo-Pacific Command are dedicated to providing recovery based efforts in wake of Super Typhoon Sinlaku. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Maye)

Team Andersen concludes recovery operations following Typhoon Sinlaku

Published May 28, 2026
By Staff Sgt. Michael Jones
36th Wing

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

Typhoon Sinlaku struck the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands with wind gusts reaching 150 mph and up to 12 inches of rain on April 14, 2026, leaving a destructive path across the region. The storm was the strongest to impact the Marianas since Super Typhoon Mawar in 2023.

While Andersen Air Force Base sustained nearly $40 million in damage to facilities and equipment, Team Andersen continued operations while supporting humanitarian assistance efforts across the CNMI in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Joint Task Force-Micronesia.

“It’s situations like these that make our team’s preparation evident,” said Maj. Troy Egbert, Chief, 36th Air Mobility Operations Control Center. “Doing what’s difficult and solving problems is where the military excels in accomplishing the mission. This includes the military families; many of whom donated to shelters as well as bringing meals and doing laundry for those that had been displaced and lost everything.”

Despite damage to several flight line structures, Airmen worked around the clock to restore operations and recover critical infrastructure. Members recovered and repaired vital Instrument Landing System assets valued at approximately $1.5 million, helping Andersen Air Force Base sustain aircraft operations throughout recovery efforts.

“Flexibility is key in humanitarian missions,” Egbert said. “Our job begins with problem solving, and we were able to work closely with FEMA and mission partners to address the unique challenges each island faced in the aftermath of the storm while ensuring critical requirements were met.”

Together, with the 374^th Airlift Wing from Yokota Air Base, Japan, Team Andersen executed 160 C-130 movements and transported 1.8 million pounds of cargo, including critical humanitarian aid supplies. Coupled with contractor and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) aircraft, the Airmen of the 36^th Wing have processed 3.35 million pounds of cargo for DSCA (Defense Support of Civil Authorities) relief effort.

“Typhoon Sinlaku tested the strength and resilience of our Airmen, families and mission partners across the region,” said Brig. Gen. Dan Cooley, 36th Wing commander. “Despite challenging conditions, our Airmen continued to execute the mission while supporting our neighbors across the Marianas.”

Since Typhoon Sinlaku, the men and women from Andersen Air Force Base have devoted more than 10,300 man-hours toward relief and recovery efforts supporting CNMI residents. Airmen distributed more than 325,600 meals, 515,000 bottles of water and 500 blankets throughout affected communities. Additionally, the 36th Wing deployed Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units (ROWPUs) to Saipan. Operating 24/7, the teams drew water directly from the ocean at two strategic locations on the north and south ends of the island to distribute 131,000 gallons of potable water to residents.

“I could not be more proud of the professionalism, adaptability and commitment demonstrated by Team Andersen throughout every phase of the storm,” Cooley said. “From initial storm preparations to recovery operations across the CNMI, this response demonstrated the importance of teamwork, agility and regional partnerships during a time of crisis.”

While long-term recovery efforts continue across the CNMI under FEMA leadership, Team Andersen’s response to Typhoon Sinlaku showcased the wing’s ability to rapidly generate airpower, support humanitarian assistance operations and strengthen regional resilience across the Indo-Pacific.