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USS Milius Helps Spanish Red Cross Bring Water to Tsunami Victims

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050118-12
Release Date: 1/19/2005 1:08:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Andrea J. Leahy, Expeditionary Strike Group 5 Public Affairs

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) helped the Spanish Red Cross begin efforts to provide clean water for tsunami victims Jan. 13 by transporting Spanish water purifiers to a remote area of Indonesia.

15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Marines transferred the two motorcycle-sized units to Milius from the Banda Aceh airport by slinging them under helicopters for a gentle drop onto the ship's flight deck.

"We're not only a fighting force, we're here to help people," said Marine Sgt. Steven P. Hannant, a landing support specialist who traveled to Milius from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) to help receive and secure the purifiers. He and the five Marines with him aboard Milius all agreed they were happy to help out with tsunami relief efforts wherever needed.

It is a rare occurrence for a destroyer to bring Marines aboard. The landing support team came aboard Milius to help its flight deck crew tie down the purifiers, which are contained in wheeled trailers. After Milius' 100-mile transit to the drop-off point, the Marines helped rig the purifiers for helicopter transfer ashore.

As the purifiers were shuttled ashore from the ship, Milius Command Master Chief CMDCM (SW/AW) JoAnn Ortloff sneaked a few boxes of items donated by Milius crew members aboard the helicopter. She had taken a collection to gather extra clothes and hygiene items for the tsunami victims, as well as putting together a small collection of toys and coloring books for local children.

"With everyone busy getting food and water and clothes, I thought maybe they're forgotten," Ortloff said. "I don't want them to forget that they're still kids."

Milius and Bonhomme Richard are deployed as part of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, which also comprises the amphibious ships USS Duluth (LPD 6) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47); the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43), and Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Munro (WHEC 724).