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Niagara Falls Crew Proud to Deliver Aid

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050119-01
Release Date: 1/19/2005 9:07:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class Paul Scherman, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs

ABOARD USNS NIAGARA FALLS, At Sea (NNS) -- USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) departed Singapore Jan. 16 with 841 pallets of humanitarian aid destined for ships in the Indian Ocean taking part in Operation Unified Assistance.

Currently assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet Logistics Force (CTF 73), Niagara Falls was tasked to help early on in the wake of the devastating tsunami that struck South and Southeast Asia Dec. 26, departing from Guam Jan. 2.

"It was just load, load, load," said Chief Mate Susan Orsini of Incline Village, Nev. "They gave us all they had to give, and we just headed this direction."

After the pallets - which include humanitarian daily ration (HDR) packages, bottled water, Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), rice, diapers, blankets and medical items - are transferred from Niagara Falls, the aid will be delivered ashore by Navy units, such as helicopters from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Strike Group.

"We don't mind leaving our family to do our job," said Boatswain's Mate Reyes Carlito from Dededo, Guam. "It's humanitarian, that's what it is."

Military Sealift Command (MSC) vessels such as Niagara Falls and USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) are performing a vital role as relief efforts continue. MSC's mission is to provide ocean transportation of equipment, fuel, supplies and ammunition to sustain U.S. forces worldwide during peacetime. In addition to regular replenishment operations, the ships of CTF 73 have taken on the additional mission of delivering humanitarian relief supplies.

"It feels good to help," agreed Boatswain's Mate Richard Wadkins from New York, N.Y., "If I was down and out, I'd sure like a helping hand."

Niagara Falls is a combat stores ship and part of the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force. It provides underway replenishment for many types of supplies, including fresh, frozen and chilled food; dry provisions; repair parts; clothing; and mail using tensioned cargo rigs and helicopters.

The ship carries two MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 5, Det. 3, and has a crew of more than 130 civilian mariners and nearly 60 Navy personnel.