Relief logistics headquarters established in Galle
Marine Corps News
Story Identification #: 200511921439
Story by Combined Support Group Sri Lanka Public Affairs
GALLE, Sri Lanka (Jan. 12, 2005) -- Marine Logistics Regiment-2 established a headquarters here to provide a central point for coordination and communication between Marines with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Torii Station soldiers, and Navy Mobile Construction Battalion-7 “Sea Bees” from Okinawa, Japan, and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Detachment A that are conducting humanitarian relief and reconstruction projects in southern Sri Lanka.
The personnel of MLR-2 are part of Combined Support Group-Sri Lanka, which is transporting relief supplies via ground, air and sea to relief distribution points, clearing debris, providing medical assistance and producing fresh water in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the governments of Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Marines, sailors and soldiers of MLR-2, commanded by Col. James A. Kessler, are coordinating closely with the District Secretary of the Galle District as well as Sri Lankan armed forces to provide maximum immediate relief through a recovery and reconstruction process, including clearing debris from local schools, removing debris from beaches and rebuilding sea walls.
The Marines with the 9th ESB are concentrating their efforts in the area near the town of Hikkaduwa, while the Sea Bees and the expeditionary unit Marines work around the town of Koggala.
The regiment headquarters is manned by Marines from Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, and is responsible for coordinating efforts throughout the area.
MLR-2 will remain in the region only as long as necessary to enable the Sri Lanka government to conduct sustained disaster relief operations and allow a smooth transition to international organizations.
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