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Military Lends Support in Maui Wildfire Aftermath

Service members conduct search operations of areas damaged by wildfires.
Maui Wildfire Devastation
Combined Joint Task Force 50 search, rescue and recovery elements conduct search operations of areas damaged by wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2023.
Photo By: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster
VIRIN: 230816-Z-YU201-1196

A week after a wildfire tore through the town of Lahaina in Maui, Hawaii, the death toll has climbed over 100 and the search and recovery effort continues.

Tuesday, Army Gen. Charles A. Fynn, commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, arrived in Maui where he met with the command element of the Joint Task Force 5-0. Members of JTF 5-0 from the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard,  Army active duty and Reserve are actively supporting Maui County authorities to provide immediate security, safety and well-being to those affected by the wildfires.

A group of soldiers walk on a tarmac with two in the front shaking hands.
Maui Wildfire Devastation
Army Gen. Charles A. Fynn, commanding general of the U.S. Army Pacific, greets the command element of the Combined Joint Task Force 50 at the Hawaii Army National Guard Puunene Armory, Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2023.
Photo By: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster
VIRIN: 230815-Z-YU201-1026
Uniformed soldiers talk while wildfire-damaged structured can be seen in the background.
Maui Wildfire Devastation
Army Gen. Charles A. Fynn, commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, alongside the command element of the Combined Joint Task Force 50 meets with search, rescue and recovery personnel following wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2023.
Photo By: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster
VIRIN: 230816-Z-YU201-1341
Soldiers speak with local search, rescue and recovery personnel after wildfires in Maui, Hawaii.
Maui Wildfire Devastation
Army Gen. Charles A. Fynn, commanding general of the U.S. Army Pacific, alongside the command element of the Combined Joint Task Force 50 meets with search, rescue and recovery personnel in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2023.
Photo By: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster
VIRIN: 230816-Z-YU201-1180
Uniformed soldiers talk in a parking lot.
Maui Wildfire Devastation
U.S. Army Gen. Charles A. Fynn, commanding general of the U.S. Army Pacific, alongside the command element of the Combined Joint Task Force 50 meets with search, rescue and recovery personnel in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2023.
Photo By: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster
VIRIN: 230816-Z-YU201-1125

JTF 5-0 search, rescue and recovery elements are searching areas damaged by wildfires in the town of Lahaina.

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Marines and soldiers are also delivering cargo to areas in need.

Marines board a military aircraft.
Maui Equipment
Hawaii National Guardsmen with Joint Task Force 50 board a KC-130J Hercules at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 14, 2023. The Marines are responding to a wildfire that swept through Maui.
Photo By: Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Aultman
VIRIN: 230814-M-VH951-1032
Service members load cargo on a tarmac with a military aircraft in the distance.
Maui Equipment
Hawaii National Guardsmen unload equipment from a KC-130J Hercules at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 14, 2023. The service members are responding to the aftermath of wildfires that swept through part of Maui.
Photo By: Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Aultman
VIRIN: 230814-M-VH951-1099
Soldiers and Marines transport cargo onto a military aircraft.
Maui Equipment
Soldiers and Marines prepare cargo to be placed onto a KC-130J Hercules at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 14, 2023. The service members are responding to the aftermath of wildfires that swept through part of Maui.
Photo By: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney
VIRIN: 230815-M-PI012-2467
Service members load cargo onto a military aircraft.
Maui Equipment
Soldiers and Marines prepare cargo to be placed onto a KC-130J Hercules at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 14, 2023. The service members are responding to the aftermath of wildfires that swept through part of Maui.
Photo By: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney
VIRIN: 230815-M-PI012-2283Y

The Hawaii National Guard has activated more than 250 soldiers and airmen for duty that includes liaison support to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, command and control elements and local law enforcement. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is removing debris and restoring power in the area.

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