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Office of the Defense Representative-Pakistan Commander Visits Peleliu

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101104-15
11/4/2010

By Lt. j.g. Beth Gauck, USS Peleliu (LHA 5) Public Affairs

USS PELELIU, At Sea (NNS) -- The commander of the Office of the Defense Representative, Pakistan (ODR-P) visited amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) Oct. 30 to thank the crew and embarked Marines for their support to the country of Pakistan during relief operations.

Vice Adm. Michael LeFever, commander, ODR-P, talked with Peleliu Sailors and Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during an all-hands formation in the hangar bay.

"This has been an incredible deployment for you," said LeFever. "You've carried out a range of missions, from humanitarian relief to combat operations. You should feel very good about that."

LeFever also presented awards to three Marines for their contribution to relief efforts in Pakistan.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jhonson Simeon, Capt. Paul Duncan and Capt. Curtis Lloyd were presented the Joint Meritorious Service medal during an officer, chief petty officer and staff non-commissioned officer call.

"I want you to know the work you've done has made a difference," said LeFever. "You were the first Navy and Marine Corps asset on station, and you stayed here the longest."

ODR-P led the coordination of humanitarian relief operations in Pakistan following devastating flooding throughout the country after monsoon rains started July 29. At the request of the government of Pakistan, Navy and Marine Corps helicopters operated from Ghazi Air Base in northern Pakistan, as well as Pano Aqil Air Base in the southern part of the country. The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 15th MEU assets delivered more than six million pounds of food and supplies and evacuated nearly 9,000 internally displaced persons.

After 10 weeks of support to relief operations, the Peleliu ARG and 15th MEU have turned over with Kearsarge ARG and the 26th MEU. Peleliu ARG is completing operations in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility as the theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command, before transiting back to their homeport in San Diego, Calif., in late 2010.