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The LHD, Amphibious Assault Ship (Multipurpose), is a highly
versatile and capable warship. USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) proved this
during the multi-hurricane events in the Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico while conducting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
(HADR) and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA).
USS
Kearsarge was in the Virginia Capes executing engineering drills
during basic phase training evolutions when the Captain, CAPT David
K. Guluzian, was informed of the change in schedule and ordered the
return to homeport and to make preparations for HADR and DSCA in
support of the recent destruction in Texas from Hurricane Harvey.
After 31 hours pier side, Kearsarge was back underway after loading
more than three million pounds of equipment and supplies via 12
Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) recoveries and the pier.
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October 17, 2017 - The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship
USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) transits the Caribbean Sea alongside the
amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), not pictured. Kearsarge
and Wasp have been assisting with relief efforts in Puerto Rico in
the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The Department of Defense is
supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the lead
federal agency, in helping those affected by Hurricane Maria to
minimize suffering and is one component of the overall
whole-of-government response effort. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist 3rd Class Levingston Lewis)
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These supplies included: over 25 heavy vehicles and
trailers, wheeled water purification trailers, environment
control units, generators, tents, fuel, water, and MREs
(Meals Ready to Eat). Once underway, Kearsarge embarked
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) TWENTY SIX’s two
aircraft as well as Beach Masters Unit (BMU) TWO and their
two Landing Craft Utility’s (LCU). Forty eight hours later,
southbound, Kearsarge had embarked some of the 26th Marine
Expeditionary Unit’s (26th MEU) aircraft and supplies.
The 26th MEU forward deployed six MV-22B Ospreys, three
UH-1Y Hueys, and
three CH-53E super Stallions to the gulf coast to support relief
efforts while Kearsarge steamed towards the affected area. Upon
notification of Hurricane Irma’s track toward the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Kearsarge, now part of Combined Task Force 189 (CTF-189)
(including USS Wasp with HSC-22, HM-14 and 15 and USS Oak Hill),
embarked the remainder of the 26th MEU aircraft off the coast of
Florida. At the same time, HSC-7 was returning from Hurricane Harvey
relief to Norfolk; however, their four aircraft were diverted to
Kearsarge to embark.
During the initial humanitarian
response in the wake of Hurricane Irma from September 8-18, the
squadrons transported 1,068 personnel and 187,365 pounds of supplies
and equipment to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands of Saint
Thomas, Saint Croix, and Saint John. The missions conducted
included: area reconnaissance, patient transport,
Passenger/Mail/Cargo (PMC) movement, external lift, Key Leadership
Engagement (KLE), VIP transport, and Aviation Delivered Ground
Refueling (ADGR). Overall, CTF-189 was able to conduct 424 flight
hours in support of 121 emergency medical evacuations, 1,392 medical
transports to alleviate overflow and triage measures, 201,765 pounds
of relief supplies via air and 426,435 pounds via ground, and
cleared over 33 miles of highways on Saint Thomas and Saint John.
The LCUs were the enabler for the majority of the ground support
on the islands. With their vast carrying capacity, they were able to
move vehicles, fuel, and water to ensure the population could reach
the hospitals and ensure the generators powering lifesaving
equipment stayed fueled. The LCUs were also instrumental in pulling
out as many relief workers and support personnel in order to avoid
possible injuries and destruction of equipment prior to the arrival
of Hurricane Maria who was heading toward the islands.
After
initial reconnaissance flights, the Virgin Islands fared better than
initially projected during Hurricane Maria; however, the damage
sustained on Puerto Rico was severe. CFT-189 (now adding USNS
Comfort) was on-station within a day of storm passage. To date,
Puerto Rico has received 2,904,794 pounds of relief supplies and
cargo.
The Army Corp of Engineers determined the Guajataca
Dam in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, had the potential to fail due to
continued erosion around the spillway. CH-53Es and MV-22Bs were
dispatched in order to lift and transport concrete barriers into the
base of the dam, in order to slow the erosion and prevent failure
while the Army flew in pumps and piping to strategically place in
order to reroute and lower the water height behind the dam.
Using MH-60Ss and UH-1Ys, CTF-189 also assessed 69 hospitals,
providing upkeep maintenance, repairs, and fuel for the generators
on Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra. At several locations, these
actions prevented total power loss and provided much needed supplies
to overcrowded hospitals.
These relief efforts have been a
showcase for the capabilities and flexibility of the LHD platform.
The combination of the ship to shore systems delivered by the 26th
MEU, HSC Detachment, and Beach Master Unit 2 provide an incredible
amount of versatility to any Task Force Commander.
Medical
transport and essential commodities to rural areas continue to be
the priority while Puerto Rican ports and airports re-open and CTF
189 will be on station to deliver.
By U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr Todd Galvin and U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Daniel Schadler
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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