washington u.s. military assistance hurricane relief efforts delay deployment additional force afghanistan pentagon say thursday force flow afghanistan slightly delay ongoing hurricane relief efforts lieutenant general kenneth mckenzie joint staff director tell reporters u.s. officials tell reuters unite state send 3,500 additional troop afghanistan puerto rico u.s. virgin islands batter hurricanes irma maria hurricane maria knock power puerto rico 3.4 million residents last month devastate island already dilapidate electric power infrastructure 11,000 u.s. troop assist relief efforts puerto rico along number naval vessels accord pentagon mckenzie add relief efforts would also slow deployment wasp amphibious assault ship pacific time heighten tension north korea unite state defense secretary jim mattis say early week hurricane relief efforts could impact troop deployments specifically mention afghanistan ready go even point go impact deployments perhaps troop overseas next year interrupt preparation mattis tell senate arm service committee hear hurricane relief efforts delay deployment u.s. troop afghanistan