GALVESTON, Texas (NNS) -- USS Nassau (LHA 4) weighed anchor Sept. 23 to return to her homeport in Norfolk, Va., after a week of supporting local, state and federal civil authorities in Galveston's recovery effort in the wake of Hurricane Ike.
Nassau's Sailors and Marines accomplished a variety of disaster relief tasks set out by local officials. They distributed 16,440 meals ready-to-eat; 13,835 cases of water; 25,285 bags of ice; took part in emergency debris removal, clearing 1,075 cubic yards of debris; delivered medical aid for 12 minor medical cases; and assisted in bringing critical infrastructure, such as the Port of Galveston and Scholes International Airport, back on line.
"Our Sailors and Marines were able to come to the aid of their fellow Americans," said Capt. Bob Lineberry, commander, Amphibious Squadron 6. "Disaster relief and humanitarian assistance is a capability that we take around the world, and it was just as important to help our own citizens. We will sail away from here proud of our accomplishments."
Amphibious assault ships like Nassau have unique capabilities and can provide a variety of assets that can support recovery efforts following natural disasters. Nassau brought two MH-60S Knighthawk search and rescue helicopters from the "Dragon Whales" of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 28, Detachment 4; Tactical Air Control Squadron 21; four landing craft utilities from Assault Craft Unit 2; Beachmaster Unit 2; Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 (Seabees); and Fleet Surgical Team 2 to Galveston.
The ship also deployed Galveston Assistance Team – Overhaul Recovery (GATOR) which is a team of more than 300 Sailors from the ship who volunteered to provide additional manpower ashore.
U.S. Fleet Forces directed Nassau Sept. 17 to proceed to Galveston following Hurricane Ike's landfall. U.S. Fleet Forces is the maritime component command of U.S. Northern Command, Department of Defense's lead supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The ship was already underway conducting routine training operations off the coast of Virginia when called upon to prepare for possible disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Ike.
Nassau's mission is to embark, deploy and land a Marine landing force by helicopter, attack aircraft or amphibious vehicle. This multipurpose ship has a highly trained crew and ready capabilities to perform many types of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Showing posts with label USS Nassau LHA-4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USS Nassau LHA-4. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
USS Nassau delivers critical help to Galveston
by Capt. Nicholas J. Sabula Air Force News Agency
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."
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."
Thursday, September 18, 2008
USS Nassau Responding to Hurricane Ike at 'Best Speed'
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Elizabeth Merriam, USS Nassau Public Affairs
Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Toni Killian guides an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter to land on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nassau (LHA 4). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Clayton/Released)
Amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) has been directed to take station off Galveston Island to provide maritime emergency response assistance to citizens affected by Hurricane Ike made landfall Sept. 13 and to assist responders supporting local citizens.
Nassau was already at sea conducting routine operations when Hurricane Ike struck the Texas coast. Nassau was first directed south to operate off the Florida coast and then received orders to move into the Gulf of Mexico.
Nassau traveled more than 1,500 nautical miles in three days, stopping only to bring members of Amphibious Squadron 6 and Tactical Air Control Squadron 21 on board with the help of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28.
"Like most Navy ships, the crew of the Nassau is constantly training for various missions, and doing disaster relief is something we think about a lot and plays on the various skills of an amphibious warfare ship," said Nassau Commanding Officer Capt. James R. Boorujy.
"We do a lot of flight operations, we do a lot of boat operations, and those are the kinds of things that we need to do to assist our fellow countrymen with disaster relief."
Because of the extensive and continuous training the Nassau crew has received, the ship quickly and efficiently integrated new support elements while in transit and completed the trip at best speed to the Gulf Coast. The Nassau maintained readiness at sea in order to quickly respond if called upon by civil authorities.
"We work great with the amphibious squadron and embarked detachments. That's a core capability of amphibious ships, we do that all the time. We have a boat detachment, landing craft, helicopter detachment, and we frequently have them aboard," Boorujy said.
"We work very closely with the commodore. We have several meetings a day with him. He is in frequent communication with Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet; they know exactly what we're ready to do. We're ready for this mission, and if we're needed we're ready to go in as soon as possible."
Nassau brings with it diverse assets and capabilities, including two MH-60S Nighthawk search and rescue helicopters, four landing craft utility, a beachmaster unit, a disaster relief team, a fleet surgical team, and a significant amount of water, food and other emergency relief supplies. The ship is also equipped with a 300-bed hospital, four medical operating rooms and three dental operating rooms.
Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Toni Killian guides an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter to land on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nassau (LHA 4). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Clayton/Released)Amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) has been directed to take station off Galveston Island to provide maritime emergency response assistance to citizens affected by Hurricane Ike made landfall Sept. 13 and to assist responders supporting local citizens.
Nassau was already at sea conducting routine operations when Hurricane Ike struck the Texas coast. Nassau was first directed south to operate off the Florida coast and then received orders to move into the Gulf of Mexico.
Nassau traveled more than 1,500 nautical miles in three days, stopping only to bring members of Amphibious Squadron 6 and Tactical Air Control Squadron 21 on board with the help of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28.
"Like most Navy ships, the crew of the Nassau is constantly training for various missions, and doing disaster relief is something we think about a lot and plays on the various skills of an amphibious warfare ship," said Nassau Commanding Officer Capt. James R. Boorujy.
"We do a lot of flight operations, we do a lot of boat operations, and those are the kinds of things that we need to do to assist our fellow countrymen with disaster relief."
Because of the extensive and continuous training the Nassau crew has received, the ship quickly and efficiently integrated new support elements while in transit and completed the trip at best speed to the Gulf Coast. The Nassau maintained readiness at sea in order to quickly respond if called upon by civil authorities.
"We work great with the amphibious squadron and embarked detachments. That's a core capability of amphibious ships, we do that all the time. We have a boat detachment, landing craft, helicopter detachment, and we frequently have them aboard," Boorujy said.
"We work very closely with the commodore. We have several meetings a day with him. He is in frequent communication with Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet; they know exactly what we're ready to do. We're ready for this mission, and if we're needed we're ready to go in as soon as possible."
Nassau brings with it diverse assets and capabilities, including two MH-60S Nighthawk search and rescue helicopters, four landing craft utility, a beachmaster unit, a disaster relief team, a fleet surgical team, and a significant amount of water, food and other emergency relief supplies. The ship is also equipped with a 300-bed hospital, four medical operating rooms and three dental operating rooms.
Monday, September 15, 2008
USS Nassau Proceeds to Gulf of Mexico in Ike's Wake
The amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4), was directed to proceed to the Gulf of Mexico Sept. 13 and take station off the Texas coast, prepared to render support to civil authorities in the wake of Hurricane Ike as needed.
Three ships, Nassau, USS Ponce (LPD 15), and USS Bataan (LHD 5), were ordered Sept. 12 to increase readiness for possible disaster response support.
Nassau was already at sea conducting routine operations, and was first directed south to operate off the Florida coast before receiving orders to move into the Gulf of Mexico.
The amphibious transport dock Ponce will get underway Sept. 14. The amphibious assault ship Bataan has been ordered to remain in a prepared-to-deploy status, ready to get underway within 24 hours, if needed.
Although there has been no specific tasking for these three ships, their at-sea readiness provides options for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and Commander, U.S. Northern Command.
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