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Sailors Depart for Six-Month Air Cargo Mission in Iraq

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080117-21
Release Date: 1/17/2008 4:03:00 PM

By Lt. Penny Cockerell, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Public Affairs

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (NNS) -- Family, friends and fellow shipmates gathered at Cheatham Annex, Jan. 17, to say goodbye to 27 Sailors heading to Iraq for a six-month deployment with Cargo Transfer Platoon (CTP) 4.

CTP-4 marks the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group's (NAVELSG) fourth rotation of air cargo handlers. The team will support the U.S. Army as they airlift vital supplies and equipment to their destinations. These airlifts limit the need for road convoys, which lessens the chance of road explosions and other ground convoy hazards.

Rear Adm. Sharon H. Redpath, NAVELSG commander, emphasized the value of the CTP-4 mission.

"The Army can now limit its ground convoys to deliver supplies partly because our cargo handlers are there to support their air cargo missions. This lessens the risks that come with convoys and allows our troops to focus on other vital work," Redpath said. "We are proud of the contribution our Sailors are making and the value they bring to the front lines. This is what we train for and this mission is an excellent opportunity for them to put their expertise to use in a joint environment."

Under rainy skies, families said goodbye and gave hugs all around. Fellow Sailors shook hands and wished their shipmates well as the platoon boarded the bus.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class John Montgomery said he is ready go, work hard and return home, which is about the time his wife, will give birth to the baby they're expecting.

"That's something we can talk about back and forth," said Montgomery, who is going on his second "big" deployment, the first was Operation Desert Storm.

Lt. Cmdr. Kurt Williams, officer in charge of CTP-4, said he has an extremely adept team and expects them to return from the desert better than when they left.

"We are looking forward to continuing the outstanding service provided to the U. S. Army and Marine Corps by previous CTP platoons," Williams said. "This deployment to Iraq will provide opportunities for my Sailors to grow professionally and personally, increasing their responsibility and maturity in leadership opportunities and job accountability."

Pre-deployment training involved qualifying on all the various material handling equipment including 10K Atlas, Kalmar, and 60-ton K-Loader, all of which are used in performing the air cargo mission CTP-4 is tasked to accomplish in support of the Army's Airfield Departure and Arrival Control Group, Williams said.

All the Sailors were trained in basic, as well as, advanced air cargo with certain individuals also trained in the complex mission of load planning, communications and hazardous materials certifiers.

Williams pointed out that many CTP-4 Sailors were handpicked for the mission.

"Storekeeper 1st Class Chris Hennessey and Information Technician 1st Class David Morse round out my enlisted leadership team, providing a solid foundation to successfully mentor our Sailors and carry out our mission. We have selected the finest group of Sailors to take on this mission, providing them with extensive training opportunities to prepare them for the jobs they will perform in theater," Williams said.

"My overall goal is to deploy into theater, achieve the goals of the mission, and return home safely without incident. I am deploying with my team in great shape and will return in the same manner."

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/nelsf/.