• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Logistics Vital in Crisis Response Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071104-01
Release Date: 11/4/2007 7:23:00 PM

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ U.S. 5th Fleet and USS Wasp Public Affairs

MINA SALMAN PIER, Bahrain (NNS) -- Combined Task Force (CTF) 59 and other coalition logistic teams began the second phase of a crisis response exercise in the region on Nov. 1.

One of the goals of the exercise is to focus on the ability to support major humanitarian operations while simultaneously being able to engage in ongoing combat operations and everyday support.

"I'm really looking forward to this exercise," said USS Wasp (LHD 1) Combat Cargo Officer, U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Brian Simon. "We're bringing together coalition forces and many different components to make one cohesive unit to get something done that's very important for the region."

U.S. and coalition forces put a great deal of planning and logistics into the large-scale exercise to ensure goals are accomplished successfully.

"We are in the execution phase of an exercise that has been planned for over six months," said Simon. "We couldn't do it without our coalition partners. They are the backbone of this entire exercise."

The early phases of the exercise, which began late September, have led to current active exercise scenarios that will enhance coalition forces' capabilities to assist regional nations in a time of crisis.

The exercise required detailed planning from various participants, ranging from long-distance travel to strenuous loading of necessary supplies and equipment.

"Logistics need to be the focus of an evolution like this, or basic essentials required to keep people alive won't be available quickly enough," said CTF 59 Expeditionary Logistics Officer, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Marty Bartlett. "We've been planning this exercise for about six months, to increase our cooperation with coalition partners to better conduct humanitarian disaster relief."

The crisis response exercise is scheduled to conclude Nov. 7. In addition to CTF 59, CTF 56 and Wasp; exercise participants include U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; logistics support from CTF 53; MH-53 helicopters support from CTF 55; maritime air patrol support from CTF 57; the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain; Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team; Joint Communications Support Element; Standing Joint Forces Head Quarters; U.S. Air Force Central Command; and various coalition and regional countries.