A high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle or Humvee exits from an utility landing craft Sept. 18 on the beach near Galveston, Texas. The Humvee was from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau anchored off Galveston to provide disaster response and aid to civil authorities as directed in the wake of Hurricane Ike. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas (AFPN) -- Military heavy equipment and teams began arriving onshore here Sept. 18 as part of a tremendous assistance effort for an area devastated by Hurricane Ike.
Teams from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau began the process of bringing supplies, equipment and people ashore to help with cleanup efforts.
A Navy construction battalion, who are experts in rebuilding roads or bridges, is part of the relief effort.
"We're working with the state of Texas and the mayor of Galveston (in Texas) in providing them the services that they need here," said Navy Capt. James Boorujy, the USS Nassau commanding officer. "They're in charge and we're supporting them any way we can.
The Naval officer in charge of the relief operation is Navy Capt. Bob Lineberry, the Amphibious Squadron 6 commander. As commander of the squadron, Captain Lineberry also holds the title of commodore, given to officers who command a squadron of ships.
"We're here to support the Mayor for as quick of recovery as possible," Captain Lineberry said. "Our people are trained with the machinery to remove debris in a variety of environments. Fallen trees, broken machinery, our guys are trained for these types of missions and we'll do them where the mayor desires us to be."
Officials from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, as the Joint Forces Maritime component commander to U.S. Northern Command, directed the ship to provide maritime disaster response at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency assisting first responders on scene and citizens affected by Hurricane Ike.
From the USS Nassau, members of the Assault Craft Unit departed for an eight-mile journey to Galveston's beach. The unit, using four landing craft utility boats, transported heavy equipment from ship to shore, including Humvees, backhoes, front-end loaders and other heavy machinery, equipment and Sailors for the emergency debris removal efforts.
"We're responsible for the movement of vehicles, cargo and personnel from ship to shore," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Reggie Sherrod, one of four craftmasters running the LCUs. "I can carry 200 tons, composed of equipment and force personnel."
More than 1,000 Sailors and Marines are coming ashore to assist in recovery efforts. The four LCUs arrived at the beach, conducted a beach landing, bringing equipment and specialty teams such as a beachmaster unit and three disaster relief teams ashore Sept. 18, while the masses of Sailors are being brought ashore on the LCUs Sept. 19 to assist in the enormous task of getting the city back on its feet.
Once shoreside, the beachmasters play an important role in getting forces onto land.
"Our role is to setup a command center, control the traffic of personnel and cargo from ship to shore," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Hernandez, assigned to Beach Master Unit 2. "Once ashore, it will be put to use for whatever Galveston needs. We coordinate with members of city who tell us where the need it."
Once equipment arrives on shore, it is checked and put into action.
"We'll make full use of the vehicle we have," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Levon Poel, a disaster relief team member with Amphibious Construction Battalion 2, who is responsible for all equipment being brought ashore. "We have a bulldozer, we can help with grading the beach, clearing any debris they have, whatever they need."
Sailors coming ashore will also be assisting with points of distribution for supplies.
The USS Nassau made a 2,000-mile journey to Galveston, arriving off coast in the evening of Sept. 16.
"We were actually underway heading here before the hurricane hit", Captain Boorujy said.
"Almost immediately upon arrival, there was extensive coordination and integration with lead government agencies in order to make to beach (Sept. 18)," Captain Lineberry said.
The ship deployed for the same mission following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
"It's a good feeling knowing we're coming out here to help our country," Petty Officer Hernandez said. This is one of the things we're ready for. We came to serve our country no matter where -- here, Iraq, Afghanistan, stateside. Wherever we're needed, we'll go."