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Pacer Goose Offloads in Norfolk

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100819-11
8/19/2010

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Lucy M. Quinn, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Thirteen Sailors from Reserve Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 12 helped unload cargo from motor vessel American Tern, as part of Operation Pacer Goose, Aug. 9-12.

Pacer Goose is the annual resupply operations of Thule Air Base, Greenland – the northernmost U.S. military installation, 750 miles from the Arctic Circle.

"Getting this cargo handling experience is so valuable," said Lt. j.g. William Wood, NCHB 12 operations officer. "This keeps our skills fresh. And it's a great opportunity for Sailors new to cargo; much better than simulators."

In July, American Tern took advantage of the three-month summer window of ice-free water to deliver supplies to Thule – food, fuel, snowplows, medical supplies, soap, office equipment, everything needed to work and live for one year in austere conditions. Sailors from NCHB 13 helped load the vital cargo.

On the return trip in August, American Tern brought back used items for repair or proper disposal. The weather at Thule is very hard on motorized equipment. The cargo weighed more than 6,000 tons and included 140 shipping containers and 73 odd-shaped items such as earth movers, housing trailers and even a fire truck.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Amanda Lewis, NCHB 12 crane operator, picked up the 40-foot containers one at a time and with exacting precision, lowered them on to a flatbed truck where her shipmates guided them into a locked position.

"I wasn't expecting this when I joined a cargo unit," said Lewis. "I get to do a lot of things I never thought I would. I love it!"

The Thule resupplying operations began in 1952 with Navy ships. Now the resupply is handled by contracted vessels. Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) has provided Pacer Goose with cargo handling support for several years through its Reserve NCHB units.

NAVELSG delivers expeditionary logistics capabilities with mobilization-ready Navy Reserve Force and active duty Sailors. NAVELSG provides a wide range of supply and transportation functions critical for peacekeeping, crisis response, humanitarian, and combat service support missions.

NAVELSG is part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, a global force provider of adaptive force packages of expeditionary capabilities to joint warfighting commanders.