 Marines and sailors with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force departed for Thailand as a Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team to assess the flooded areas and the caliber of assistance needed. The team will identify key areas of support from US forces to include medical, transportation, engineering, and communication needs. We are headed to Thailand to do an assessment and a survey of the damage or the needs there so that we can determine how we can have US forces and Marines from Okinawa render assistance. The HASS deploys to an affected country to assess and gain information essential for planning. Three MEPs regularly trained to respond to disaster relief and humanitarian assistance during exercises held throughout the Asia-Pacific region. I think this event highlights the responsiveness of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force here in Okinawa in this Pacific Theater. It was less than 12 hours ago that we got the word that we wanted a HASS there in Thailand. The Marine Corps is committed to working with the people and government of Thailand to ensure their relief needs are met during this unfortunate time. Lance Corporal Mathias Hernandez, Marine Corps Air Station Fatima, Okinawa.