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Kearsarge Providing War Support with Individual Augmentees

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070626-12
Release Date: 6/26/2007 3:16:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Robert Keilman, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

USS KEARSARGE, At Sea (NNS) -- In support of the global war on terrorism, the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) has been doing its part by sending Sailors to fill individual augmentee (IA) assignments in the Middle East.

Since February 2006, Kearsarge has answered the call of duty by sending a total of 21 Sailors to Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to support IA requirements.

Many Kearsarge Sailors are happy to serve, knowing that they are supporting the global war on terrorism and keeping the United States safe.

Chief Storekeeper Jacque Carter, leading chief petty officer of Kearsarge Stock Control Office, returned to Kearsarge April 8 after being deployed on an IA assignment to Kuwait for more than seven months. While in Kuwait, Carter worked at the Central Command Distribution Center at Camp Arifjan.

“It was hard at first, but once I got adjusted to it, I started to realize that I’m tracking supplies all over the world and what I’m doing does make a difference,” said Carter. “When I look back on it, I realize that the tour was not bad at all. It was a great experience working with all the different branches of service.”

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Kevin Lewis, of Kearsarge Deck Department, was also deployed to Camp Arifjan. He worked alongside Army Soldiers at the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Unit to provide armed security to the base.

“It was a good experience working with the Army and seeing progress,” said Lewis. “I learned a lot about security forces. Now that I’m back on Kearsarge, I can bring some of that knowledge I learned about force protection to the ship.”

Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate Steven Robinson, the Deck Department leading chief petty officer, returned home from a 180-day IA tour in Fallujah, Iraq, last year after working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“It was a different experience than what I was used to in the Navy,” said Robinson. “While I was there, I helped the Army Corps of Engineers build billboards to advertise voting during the Iraqi elections. We also helped build schools, police stations, health care clinics and water treatment facilities.”

Robinson also said that he felt a sense of pride after returning home from his IA tour.

“After seeing the Iraqi people in their environment, and comparing it to what we have here at home, I felt proud to be an American. The experience showed me that the cost of freedom isn’t free for everyone,” said Robinson. “I think every Sailor should support an IA tour at least once in their Navy career.”

To prepare for individual augmentee assignments, Kearsarge offers its Sailors “The IA Sailor Handbook,” in addition to mentorship and counseling. The handbook contains step-by-step instructions on medical, dental, financial and family preparations.

Sailors then attend a training course at the Fort Jackson Army Training Facility in South Carolina to learn basic field skills. These skills are necessary to help train Sailors in combat situations.

The mission of Kearsarge is to load, transport and land troops and their equipment.

Kearsarge, commanded by Capt. James Gregorski, is currently underway conducting a training exercise with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, commanded by Marine Col. Douglas Stilwell.