• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Wasp's Joint Command Cell Helps Coordinate Hurricane Relief Support Efforts

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070907-16
Release Date: 9/7/2007 4:37:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) AnTuan Guerry, USS Wasp Public Affairs

ABOARD USS WASP (NNS) -- Joint and international relief efforts are being supported by Commander Task Group 40.0 from USS Wasp (LHD 1), diverted Sept. 5 as the United States implements humanitarian relief plans in Nicaragua in the aftermath of Hurricane Felix.

The Task Group coordinating U.S. Navy support to the relief effort is a U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command element embarked on board Wasp. It is composed of the staff from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40, and also includes officers from the U.S. Army and Air Force, and an officer from Argentina. The mission of the command element during Hurricane Felix relief in Nicaragua is to assess conditions so decisions can be made on specific relief efforts.

DESRON 40 officer Navy Lt. Darrel Capo said planners on board are responsible for putting together a comprehensive package of possible support actions that could be provided, including search and rescue missions, emergency medical services, and basic life support. Plans are being made for both short- and long-term efforts.

“Right now we’re developing a concept of operations on how we’re going to help out the country of Nicaragua,” said Capo. “We do that by talking to people who are in country, who are [also] planning relief support. They have requested help from [the United States] for the use of Wasp’s helicopters to transport relief supplies such as food and water, and to place Sailors at the Puerto Cabezas Airfield to assist in loading supplies and coordinating operations.”

The lead U.S. federal agency for this effort is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and its Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). Task Group 40.0 is coordinating its efforts with OFDA, local Nicaraguan authorities, and the U.S. Military Group Commander in Nicaragua.

“Our goal is to help local authorities begin to recover from this storm,” said Commander DESRON 40, Capt. Randy Snyder. “We have enormous capability here on Wasp, but need to make sure we provide what is requested, and support the relief effort in the best manner possible.”

Wasp had been underway participating in PANAMAX 2007, a multinational maritime exercise designed to test the ability to protect the security and sovereignty of the Panama Canal. Shortly after Hurricane Felix made landfall Sept. 4, initial damage reports were received. Wasp returned to Panama and off-loaded 150 multinational personnel who were onboard for the exercise, before heading to Nicaragua.

U.S. Southern Command Liaison Officer, Army Maj. “Bo” Clayton, said having joint service provides the group with an extensive background and deep experience from which to draw.

“Having each service here brings a certain level of expertise to support the mission,” Clayton said. “We go through the process to provide the commander with different options and scenarios that may be encountered ... so he can make the best decision on recommending specific actions to provide needed relief.”

Wasp is expected to remain off the coast of Nicaragua for several days, standing by to provide disaster relief as needed to support the local and national governments of Nicaragua.