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Sailors Deploy to Iraq to Coordinate Air Cargo

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070116-07
Release Date: 1/16/2007 3:46:00 PM

By Lt. Karin R. Burzynski, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Public Affairs

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (NNS) -- The second rotation of Sailors from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1 (NCHB-1) at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Cheatham Annex departed for a six month deployment to Iraq Jan. 16.

The 26-Sailor team’s mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) follows the success of their NCHB-1 shipmates, who served as Cargo Transfer Platoon 1 (CTP-1) after assuming the role of coordinating the movement of air cargo from the Army’s 551st Cargo Transfer Platoons in July.

Lt. Chris Koprivec of NCHB-1 said the Sailors have received extensive predeployment training including basic and advanced air cargo operations, aviation load planning, hazardous material certification, command and control, marshalling yard and flight line operations.

“I have tremendous confidence in their abilities and determination to continue the success of CTP-1,” Koprivec said. “The contributions of CTP-1 in theater definitely have left an awesome impression.”

“It’s our turn,” Equipment Operator 1st Class (SCW) Samuel Acosta said. “We had the holidays at home with our families, and CTP-1 deserves to get home to theirs. We are trained and ready to relieve.”

Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG), which is in charge of all Navy cargo handling battalions, has about 1,000 Sailors deployed in support of OIF.

This mission further increases the contribution of Navy cargo handlers, said Rear Adm. Sharon Redpath, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group.

“We're proud to be continuing with this mission for the Army and the overall global war on terror by providing vital combat service support through air cargo handling expertise,” Redpath said.

NAVELSG serves as a part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), which works as the Navy's expeditionary central management for the readiness, manning, training and equipping of expeditionary Sailors.

NECC integrates all warfighting requirements for expeditionary combat and combat support elements. This transformation allows for standardized training, manning and equipping of Sailors who will participate in the global war on terrorism as part of the joint force. It also results in more capable, responsive and effective expeditionary Sailors.