TEAM 15th FSSU PROVIDED SERVICE SUPPORT DURING RESCUE AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS IN PATIKUL, SULU
The 15th Forward Service Support Unit has once again proved its worth in carrying out its mandate as service support provider in the Province of Sulu
Last 04 1130 July 2021 was another tragic moment in the Island of Sulu when a Philippine Airforce C130 Transport Aircraft with Tail Nr 5125 figured in a plane crash at Brgy Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu that resulted to 46 injured and killed 50 military personnel. Four civilians on the ground were also injured while three were killed.
As one of the first responders, the 15FSSU troopers assisted in the rescue and evacuation of casualties. The unit provided all its available military vehicles in transporting the injured and dead soldiers from the crash site to H11th Infantry Division, Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, Busbus, Jolo, Sulu for medical attention, accounting and verification procedures.
As the lead Unit in catering mortuary services, the unit provided 50 ea Cadaver Bag, 44 ea Interment Flag, 44 GOU and Seven (7) ea Metal Casket to address the initial mortuary requirements for cadavers.
The unit also transported 46 cadavers to Warid Port, Brgy Mauboh, Patikul, Sulu and loaded to Philippine Navy vessels bound to Zamboanga City for proper disposition
Other support services provided by the unit were the conduct of embalming and packaging of recovered body parts, disinfecting of the crash site and the recovery of various military items and debris of the ill-fated aircraft.
With its untiring support, Team 15FSSU was able to deliver a responsive and efficient service support as it significantly contributed in the expeditious and successful rescue and recovery operations spearheaded by Joint Task Force-Sulu.