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Saipan Completes Offload, Construction Forces Ashore Prepare for New Horizons Haiti

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050211-18
Release Date: 2/12/2005 1:00:00 PM

From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs

GONAIVES, Haiti (NNS) -- USS Saipan (LHA 2) completed the offload of 1,200 tons of construction equipment and supplies for U.S. Navy Seabees and U.S. Army Reserve Military Police in Gonaives, Haiti, in February.

The Seabees immediately began building up a base camp to support their mission as part of New Horizons Haiti, a humanitarian a civic assistance exercise sponsored by U.S. Southern Command.

As part of New Horizons, U.S. forces are deploying for 90 days to Haiti to build three schoolhouses, drill potable water wells and provide free medical assistance in hurricane-ravaged areas of the island. Storm damaged infrastructure made moving equipment and materials to the affected areas nearly impossible via commercial means.

Saipan, commanded by Capt. Chris Hase, carried out the mission to transport U.S. construction personnel and equipment from Pascagoula, Miss., to the coast of Haiti to support the New Horizon exercise.

"This is the most unique and logistically challenging New Horizons exercise we've ever conducted, said Rear Adm. V.E. Smith, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, and executive agent for New Horizons Haiti 05. "That said, we are determined to provide assistance to the people of Gonaives in the areas identified by the Interim Government of Haiti as the most needy."

Saipan's involvement in the exercise was the crucial factor for transport, loading and offloading heavy equipment such as bulldozers, concrete mixers, well drilling rigs, and the bulk material and supplies needed for the construction projects. Saipan, additionally, has served as a Command and Control platform to maintain communications for multiple units during the initial build-up phase.

The successful offload was the result of a superb teamwork effort coordinated by Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group Commander, Capt. Chris Chace, and included elements of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, Mobile Security Detachment (MSD) 2, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 6 and Mobile Diving Support Unit (MDSU) 2.

"Without Saipan's support, it would have been even a greater challenge to conduct this exercise. There were no other viable alternatives to move the amount of equipment, materials and participating units ashore," said Lt. Cmdr. Kurt Bratzler, deputy commander of New Horizons Task Force. "It was only with the ship's capabilities and the Strike Group expertise that we have been able to work through all the challenges."

Following extensive planning and with Saipan and Seabee improvisation, the Task Force overcame beach site hurdles, and landing craft units (LCU) began their runs Feb. 3, carrying Seabees, Soldiers and nearly 50 of their vehicles and dozens of pallets of supplies. Saipan's Combat Cargo Officer, Capt. Darren Demyer, said the offload was completed in less than a week, thanks to the tireless efforts of Saipan's Sailors.

"We're using Saipan Sailors instead of the usual augmentation force of Marines," he said. "The working days are long, but we're doing it safely, and these Sailors are overcoming some pretty stressful demands. I'm really proud of these guys. They're doing an awesome job."

"New Horizons is providing the crew invaluable training in skills that would be used offloading a Marine Expeditionary Unit," he added. "We've got ballast ops down to a record low time, so we can set [condition] 1-Alpha and have landing craft going. This has definitely improved the ship's readiness."

The challenges of the offload have also provided training for the LCU crews going ashore. According to Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Charles Dalton, the biggest challenge was avoiding wrecked boats in the water and a narrow approach to the newly improved ramp provided by the Seebees.

"Everyone involved never gave up, and we found a way to get loads ashore safely," he said. "I can't say enough about my crew."

He added that he was proud of this mission, as well.

"Being able to help these people out is a wonderful feeling," Dalton added. "It just makes you feel blessed to be in a position where we can do things for Haiti."

The Task Force ashore involves Seabees and Soldiers from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, Gulfport, Miss; 400th Military Police Battalion, from Ft. Meade, Md.; 207th Aviation Battalion from Ft. Richardson, Alaska; 699th Engineer Company from Ft. Buchanan, Puerto Rico; Mobile Operations Command Center, Willow Grove, Pa.; the Sea Operations Detachment from Jacksonville, Fla.; and the 640th QM-TM from the Virgin Islands.

Haiti will be one of the six nations to benefit from the New Horizons program during Fiscal Year 2005. NH is a Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed program sponsored by U.S. Southern Command. It involves the deployment of U.S. military personnel to South America and the Caribbean to conduct humanitarian and civic assistance missions. NH Haiti provides an excellent opportunity for U.S. forces to refine engineering and medical skills while helping to improve the quality of life for the people of Haiti.