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NAVELSG Deployed Units Continue Support to OIF

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061218-09
Release Date: 12/18/2006 4:04:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth R. Hendrix, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Public Affairs

KUWAIT (NNS) -- Navy cargo handlers successfully completed an on-load-off-load evolution in Kuwait Dec. 16 aboard USNS Shugart (T-AKR 295) with the help of Navy customs inspectors.

Both cargo handlers and customs inspectors are Reservists mobilized by the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG).

Both units, NAVELSG Port Group Echo and Navy Customs Battalion Romeo, are providing support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Port Group Echo’s primary mission is to off-load and back-load Military Sealift Command ships.

Cmdr. Stephan Oliver, NAVELSG Port Group Echo commanding officer, explained the role of the Sailors taking part in the operations.

“We take care of equipment in what we call deployed and redeployed yards,” Oliver said. “Deployed being it’s going out to the theater of operations, redeployed it’s going back to the United States.”

Before pieces of equipment are shipped back to the United States, such as the Army’s M114 Hummers, each must be properly tagged with a DD 2258 form by customs inspectors.

“Customs agents have to put the form on vehicles and sign off the document to make sure the serial numbers are correct,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 2nd Class Ricardo Cabral, assigned to NAVELSG Customs Battalion Romeo.

In addition to verifying critical documentation information, agents also look for possible smuggled goods and disease-carrying organisms such as beetles and various other insects.

The working environment for these Sailors is a new experience as it is the first time both commands have worked as part of joint forces in a combat environment.

“It’s not all Navy anymore, it’s a new Armed Forces,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Virginia Hatcher, assigned to NAVELSG Port Group Echo. “You’re working closely with everyone within the military.”

The Sailors’ new experiences of working with Army Logistics Transportation Company has enabled them to grow and learn more, just as other forces have learned from them.

“It’s been pretty busy the last couple of months and working directly with the Army has been a new and good experience for me at the same time,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Ann Marie Derr, assigned to NAVELSG Port Group Echo. “We’ve been learning each other’s ways and making the best of both of our ways by putting all of our knowledge together to help each [of our commands] out.”

According to Oliver, while deployed, NAVELSG Port Group Echo anticipates moving roughly 50,000 pieces of cargo, and to ship the materiel in large, standardized containers. Navy Customs Battalion Romeo will assist with inspections, Oliver added.