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Amphib crew assists world's newest country

Commander, Task Force 76 public affairs

Release Date: 10/31/2002

EAST TIMOR -- USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), arrived off the coast here today to assist the United States Support Group East Timor (USGET) with humanitarian and civic assistance projects.

Sailors and Marines from Harpers Ferry, a cargo variant dock landing ship with embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), will work in various locations in East Timor. Their efforts will focus on improving the basic health, social conditions and quality of life for the citizens of the newest democratic country and member of the international community. Sailors and Marines will go ashore to provide general medical and dental services and help restore a local school.

"Sailors and Marines will provide basic structural repairs, carpentry improvements, and exterior enhancements at a local school," said Ensign Bobby Jones, Harpers Ferry 2nd Division Officer and ship's action officer for the East Timor assistance projects. "The refurbishment will include addressing the very basic needs of the school and children. Hopefully our time and effort will improve the learning conditions for the children."

For amphibious ships and Marine Corps units, humanitarian operations are part of their overall mission. Their forward deployed status in the Pacific area helps these unique ships and units respond to any contingency or disaster rapidly.

"Conducting this operation with Harpers Ferry is a prime example of the strong Navy-Marine Corps team that exists between Amphibious Squadron Eleven and the 31MEU (SOC)," said Lt. Col. Thomas Gorry, Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 31's Commanding Officer and mission commander for the humanitarian assistance operations.

"Our mission is to get Marines and their equipment ashore as quickly as possible and support them for a sustained period of time,"

Harpers Ferry Commanding Officer Cmdr. Brad Martin said. "We are able to use these war time capabilities as a means of helping our fellow countrymen and civilians throughout the world during humanitarian assistance and-or disaster relief missions."

The Navy-Marine Corps team's humanitarian and civil assistance projects are part of the United States' ongoing commitment to East Timor and the region.

"Our assistance operations show the U.S. Navy's dedication to helping the East Timor people, and our country's dedication to preserving peace and stability throughout the region," Martin said.

"This also provides the Navy/Marine Corps team an opportunity for additional training in the planning and execution of missions, as well as working with other U.S. military services and United Nations forces."

Harpers Ferry is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, and the Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group - 31 is forward deployed to Okinawa, Japan.

USS Harpers Ferry has a crew of approximately 800 Sailors and Mrines. The ship is 609 feet in length, has a beam of 84 feet and displaces 16,700 tons. Dock landing ships are designed to transport and launch amphibious landing craft and vehicles during amphibious assault operations.