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Hurricane Relief No Problem For Wasp

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS051101-09
Release Date: 11/1/2005 3:47:00 PM

By Photographer's Mate Airman Brian May, USS Wasp Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) loaded nearly 600 pallets of stores and relief supplies in 24 hours, ending Oct. 22, in preparation for getting underway to lend humanitarian assistance in the wake of Hurricane Wilma.

Wasp was returning to Norfolk following a short underway period for routine training operations when the tasking order came down Oct. 20 for Wasp to take part in a hurricane relief Joint Task Force.

“Wasp was requested by the Secretary of Defense and Department of Defense to assist in rescue and recovery efforts from Hurricane Wilma,” said Wasp supply officer Cmdr. Tim Colyer, of McClurey, Ill.

Relief aid, food and other provisions for this humanitarian voyage were waiting on the pier as soon as the ship pulled in. The ship’s crew, led by the supply department, brought on 100 pallets of Meals Ready to Eat packages, 88 pallets of water, 24 pallets of Powerade powder, and a pallet of baby food for relief efforts.

Before noon Oct. 21, the ship’s crew loaded more than 190 pallets of frozen and dry foods, which would last 40 days at sea, along with two weeks worth of fresh food for the crew.

“We had 600 members of ship’s company working on this effort, and they completed it in a very safe and timely matter,” said Master Chief Culinary Specialist (SW) Jurnell Bailey of New Orleans. “The work effort helped cut out nearly 16 hours of work that supply would have normally had to do for this type of evolution.”

Along with the food for meals, the ship’s crew also helped restock the ship’s store. Sailors brought on 40,000 cans of soda, 36,000 packs of cigarettes, 3,000 bags of chips and candy bars, and 7,800 bottles of water.

The biggest logistical hurdle supply faced was not knowing what time frame they had to plan for.

“We didn’t know how long we were going to be gone, so we planned for three months,” said Bailey. “We also didn’t know where we would be going and when other supplies could come. You always have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

Wasp spent the next few days waiting for word on whether or not assistance was going to be needed.

“Our crew was actually very anxious to go down to New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, but we weren’t the ones called on to do that,” said Capt. Todd Miller, Wasp’s commanding officer. “I think that attitude is pervasive in the military. We want to help – we want to do something.”

Although the Hurricane Wilma Joint Task Force officially stood down Oct. 24, Wasp still could be called upon in the future for humanitarian relief. Supplies will be maintained aboard until the end of November when hurricane season ends.