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NECC Units Prepare For Future Disaster Relief Operations Aboard Wasp

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110830-10
8/30/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman, USS Wasp (LHD 1) Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) embarked its Adaptive Force Package (AFP) command staff aboard the USS Wasp (LHD 1) as the amphibious assault ship got underway to avoid potential damage from Hurricane Irene Aug. 25 in Norfolk, Va.

The AFP is a new concept meant to bring various NECC forces under one command and control (C2) element, creating synergy and enhanced communication among all elements of the group.

The primary mission of the AFP is to conduct humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.

"After the earthquake in Haiti and Operation Unified Response, a lot of NECC forces participated in the relief efforts, but weren't communicating as well as they could have been," said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Amy Rupert, an intelligence analyst with Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 2.

According to Rupert, NECC headquarters reviewed lessons learned from these operations and set out to implement a strategy where its elements would be able to communicate and have the ability to task subordinate commands quicker and more effectively.

The AFP C2 element, currently aboard Wasp, is prepared to direct the effort of NECC forces ashore to provide assistance in the wake of Hurricane Irene, which made landfall in North Carolina Aug. 27 as a Category 1 storm.

As Norfolk-based ships departed the area to avoid potential damage from the storm, AFP personnel were split into two groups. The command staff embarked aboard Wasp while the advanced assessment team staged its forces ashore to appraise the situation and provide a tailored response to any requests for aide.

"Ideally, our advance party would be the first on the scene and arrive by land or air and would be able to react quickly and access what forces are required," said Lt. Ryan Kasky, the MESG 2 supply officer.

The NECC units, or augmentees, within the AFP provide a wide array of functions and bring unique operational capabilities: MESG 2 is responsible for developing humanitarian aid and disaster relief procedures for the AFP and serves as its C2 element; the Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command has personnel trained to engage with local government officials to determine the nature of aide required; and a Fleet Survey Team brings military and civilian personnel capable of surveying the surrounding waters so sea assets can reach affected areas safely.

Other augmentees in the AFP include Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 4, Riverine Squadron 2, a five-man dive team with Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, a detachment from Underwater Construction Team 1, and Seabees from Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 7.

"We have units that can provide port and harbor security, we have units that can assess underwater damage, and we have diving and salvage units that can clear waterways," said Kasky.

NECC provides rapid deployable and agile expeditionary forces, made up of active duty and reserve mission specialists, to warfare commanders in support of various maritime security operations around the globe.