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Workhorse of the Amphibious Fleet Assists with Haiti Disaster Relief

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080916-10
Release Date: 9/16/2008 3:03:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Joshua Adam Nuzzo, Continuing Promise Public Affairs

USS KEARSARGE, At Sea (NNS) -- The crew of Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2 completed eight missions as of Sept. 14, carrying approximately 240 tons of cargo to the remote areas of Haiti delivering lifesaving food and water to the men, women and children.

Embarked aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) for the humanitarian/civic assistance (HCA) mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008, Sailors attached to the ACU 2 knew that by traveling in the Caribbean during hurricane season there was a possibility they could be called on to support a disaster relief mission, too.

"We are always prepared for any and every mission," said Chief Boatswain's Mate Carl Lemois. "Essentially every mission we are tasked with is the same whether it is planned or not. We move stores, gear and personnel onto the beach; we just have to have the flexibility to get the job done."

The "Workhorse" crew from landing craft unit 1645, from ACU 2 makes early morning exits from the well deck of the Kearsarge and transits to areas like Gonaives, where roads are inaccessible and flooded and muddy grounds prevent helicopter landings.

There, with the help of volunteer working parties from the ship, the Sailors worked nonstop offloading food, water and other basic supplies essential for the people of Haiti to recover from the hurricanes.

"It is great to do humanitarian aid here in Haiti. We are picking up supplies in Port-au-Prince daily and offloading them any where they may be needed," Enginemen 2nd Class Demetris Stepp. "Sometimes the work can be tough and the hours long, but when people need help it doesn't really matter, you just do what you have to to get the job done."

The typical mission of the LCU is to transport tanks and vehicles, troops and cargo during amphibious operations. The LCU is a self-sustaining craft complete with living accommodations and messing facilities for a crew of ten. LCUs are capable of carrying 143 tons of equipment or 350 personnel and have an un-refueled range of 1,200 nautical miles at 10 knots and can carry provisions for 14 days.

ACU 2 craft have operated in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, Black Sea and Baltic Sea, supporting virtually every amphibious exercise or contingency operation that occurred in those waters since 1960.

"They call the LCU the workhorse of the amphibious fleet because, unlike our other amphibious brothers the LCAC [landing craft air cushion] and the LCM [landing craft, mechanized], we have more range, can carry more of a payload, and can support ourselves out at sea without retuning to the ship at the end of the day," said Lemois.

Having such a tremendous carrying ability has proved to be invaluable for both HCA missions like CP 2008 and the newly tasked disaster relief mission to Haiti.

"We have put tons and tons of engineering equipment and humanitarian relief supplies on lots of different beaches since this mission has started," said Lemois. "The relief mission has had a lot of challenges, but I feel I have the best job in the Navy."

The unit's ability to transport hundreds of tons of relief supplies and access remote areas not accessible to other modes of transportation is saving lives and returning hope to an area where people have lost nearly everything.

"It makes me feel good to be apart of a mission that is really making an impact on peoples lives," said Enginemen 3rd Class Galen Russell. "We are helping keep the people of Haiti strong by supplying them with everything we possibly can."

Headquartered in Norfolk, ACU 2 is a unique and dynamic Naval unit with almost 300 officers and Sailors operating 17 Utility Landing Craft (LCU) vessels, 10 Mechanized Landing Craft (LCM-8) and assorted small boats.

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

For more news from USS Kearsarge, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd3/.