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Shiloh, Benfold Return from Tsunami Aid in Indonesia

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050223-09
Release Date: 2/23/2005 4:44:00 PM

From U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The San Diego-based guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) and San Diego-based guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) will return from deployment March 1.

Shiloh and Benfold's homecomings mark the end of a five-month voyage that included port visits in Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Singapore, as well as routine operations in the Central and Western Pacific.

Commanded by Capt. Craig Faller, Shiloh served as Air Defense Commander for the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG). Benfold served as a refueling platform for helicopters, among other missions, and is commanded by Cmdr. Donald Hornbeck.

Following the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Shiloh, Benfold and the rest of the Lincoln CSG were diverted to the coast of Indonesia, where they provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to people in the flood ravaged region of Aceh, on the island of Sumatra.

For 35 days, Shiloh's SH-60B helicopter helped the strike group lift more than 2.5 million pounds of relief supplies to villages and towns near the coast. From a crew of 380 Sailors, Shiloh also supplied more than 100 volunteers over the course of the relief operation to help load supplies onto helicopters at the Banda Aceh airport.

Two Shiloh Sailors even organized a clothing and stuffed animal drive that tapped the crew's generosity, and resulted in delivery of over 100 pounds of clothing and stuffed animals to the Indonesian people.

"Being able to go ashore and help, even if only for a day or two, was an experience I wouldn't trade," said Shiloh's Damage Controlman 3rd Class Guillermo Canate, of Chicago. "Whether it was loading helicopters, manning the flight deck crew or just carrying out assigned tasks, everyone contributed something important."

Sailors aboard Benfold flew into Banda Aceh daily in teams of eight to work at Sultan Iskandar Muda Air Force Base. There, Benfold Sailors, along with Sailors from other Lincoln CSG ships and squadrons, worked hand in hand with international military and civilian relief workers to unload humanitarian aid from trucks to waiting helicopters that delivered the aid to survivors in remote locations.

"The biggest change, as far as the ship was concerned, was in the mindset of the crew about the job that they were doing there and realizing that we were helping out the people of Indonesia," said Hornbeck.

On average, Benfold transferred approximately 155 gallons of fuel a day, accounting for more than 14,500 gallons of fuel since the operation began Jan 1. Although several ships in the Lincoln CSG can support helicopter refuelings, Benfold was a popular landing platform because of its location close to land, due to an embarked hydrographic survey team that was remapping the Indonesian waters affected by the tsunami.

Shiloh's commanding officer expressed his appreciation for the sacrifices the extended deployment imposed on both Sailors and families.

"This crew has risen to every challenge that has presented itself," said Faller. "They have performed every mission demanded of them, and have been the face of American humanity and diplomacy abroad. They have certainly earned both the pride that comes from a job well done, and a relaxing leave period with friends and family."

Benfold and Shiloh will enter San Diego Bay with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) March 1. Shoup and Lincoln are home ported in Everett, Wash.