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NAVELSF Provides Air Cargo Handling Support for Relief Efforts

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050909-16
Release Date: 9/9/2005 3:43:00 PM

By Lt. Karin R. Burzynski, Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors from three Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force (NAVELSF) battalions departed here Sept. 4, bound for Joint Reserve Base (JRB) Fort Worth, Texas, to lend cargo handling expertise and assistance to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The Sailors will provide air cargo handling support for Navy Air Logistics Office air operations at two locations, JRB Fort Worth and JRB Belle Chasse, La., by offloading and onloading passengers, cargo and mail.

“Cargo handling is an integral part of any disaster relief assistance,” said Rear Adm. Hank Tomlin, commander, Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force. “The Navy and NAVELSF’s involvement in relief efforts for destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina is an important part of a larger, collaborative national and military response effort.”

Six Sailors are from NAVELSF’s active-duty battalion, Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 1 in Williamsburg, Va., and seven Reservists are from NCHB-10 air cargo company of Williamsburg, Va. In addition, 11 Navy Reservists from NCHB-13’s air cargo company in Kansas City, Mo., will meet up with their fellow cargo handlers to provide support. NCHB-13’s headquarters is located in Gulfport, Miss., which sustained extensive damage from the hurricane.

While supporting the relief efforts, NAVELSF Sailors are prepared to berth in tents, hangars or barracks. They packed personal protective gear, meals-ready-to-eat, water, sun screen and bug repellant sufficient to last for several weeks.

NAVELSF is an operational force of the Navy's Fleet Forces Command, organized and staffed to deliver expeditionary logistics capabilities with mobilization-ready Navy Reserve Force Sailors and equipment to theater commanders in support of the national military strategy. NAVELSF consists of a full-time and selective reserve support staff, Navy Cargo Handling Battalions, Navy Supply Support Battalions, an Expeditionary Logistics Response Center, and Naval Ordnance Reporting and Handling Battalion. The command supports more than 4,000 Naval Reservists located throughout the United States, encompassing more than 90 percent of the U.S. Navy's Supply and Transportation Expeditionary Units.