Military

Mobilized Reservists Deploy to Kuwait, Iraq

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050929-05
Release Date: 9/29/2005 11:37:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman Apprentice Katrina Scampini, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 450 Reservists from Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force (NAVELSF) “Charlie,” a mobilization of Navy cargo handlers, departed from the Naval Station Norfolk AMC terminal Sept. 27 bound for Kuwait – and ultimately Iraq - for duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

NAVELSF Charlie is the third mobilization following NAVELSFs Alpha and Bravo.

The detachment is an operational force of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command made up of 4,000 Navy Reservists. These Sailors can be mobilized and deployed for one year in order to meet the Department of Defense’s force rotation plan.

NAVELSF is made up of a reserve support staff, Navy Cargo Handling Battalions, Navy Supply Support Battalions, an Expeditionary Logistics Response Center, and Naval Ordnance Reporting and Handling Battalion.

The 470 Navy Reservists deploying come from homes in New Jersey, Louisiana, Mississippi, California and Massachusetts.

Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Peter Coleman, a communications advisor for NAVELSF Charlie, said the Reservists were given ample time to prepare and are ready for the mission.

“Initially, we were supposed to go in January,” said Coleman. “Before that, we were given 90 days notice. So every individual leaving today has had more than enough time to get ready.”

The NAVELSF Sailors recently completed four weeks of training at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Cheatham Annex, in Williamsburg, Va., in preparation for their duty in Iraq and Kuwait.

The pre-deployment training included cargo handling, Humvee driving and small arms training.

Once on station, NAVELSF Charlie will work directly for the Army to provide critical combat service support.

“Mostly, we will be loading and unloading ships,” said Weymouth. “The ships are carrying food, medical supplies and vehicles to use so that our military members have everything they need.”