As expected.

OKINAWA, Japan -- At the request of the Government of the Philippines, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has directed U.S. Pacific Command to support U.S. Government humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations (HADR) operations in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.........

3rd MEB to provide humanitarian assistance to Philippines > Headquarters Marine Corps > News


...."Super Typhoon Haiyan hammered six central islands Nov. 8, devastating the city of Tacloban and leaving a huge storm surge and widespread flooding in its wake.

Secretary of State John Kerry immediately offered assurance of U.S support, and Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters that day the U.S. military was prepared to respond, if requested.

Little noted that U.S. forces frequently provide direct relief and recovery support during and after natural disasters.

Nowhere in the world are natural disasters as prevalent as in the Asia-Pacific region. It sits on the earthquake-prone “Ring of Fire” and is tormented by hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis, floods and mudslides.As part of its extensive regional engagement, Pacom works closely with regional nations to promote disaster preparedness and build resilience; and to respond quickly and effectively should disaster strike. One of the best ways to do that is through the exercise program, command officials said.

“It’s the right thing to do,” particularly in light of frequent and often devastating natural disasters that strike across the region, Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, the Pacom commander, told American Forces Press Service last week.

“Also, if something is going to happen in the Pacific that is going to create a churn in the security environment, the most likely thing will be a humanitarian disaster problem of some kind – whether it is horrific typhoons or tsunamis or floods or something else,” Locklear said"...........

Defense.gov News Article: U.S. Military to Aid Typhoon-devastated Philippines