CNO Visits USS Iwo Jima During Support of Hurricane Relief
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050912-01
Release Date: 9/12/2005 7:18:00 AM
By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Mike Jones, USS Iwo Jima Public Affairs
NEW ORLEANS (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Michael Mullen paid a visit to the crew of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Sept. 10 during an area tour of the Gulf Coast region, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
The multipurpose amphibious assault ship is assisting in relief and recovery efforts as part of Joint Task Force Gulf Coast in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“We’re proud of you,” said Mullen during his remarks. “Remember during this mission to take care of yourselves and each other.”
Mullen also took the time to visit various spaces aboard the ship before departing.
Since mooring in New Orleans, Iwo Jima has been serving as the command center for military operations in the FEMA-led relief efforts.
Iwo Jima and the Amphibious Transport Dock USS Shreveport (LPD 12), as well as the Dock Landing Ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and the Rescue and Salvage Ship USS Grapple (ARS 53) – both based at Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Little Creek, Va. - joined the Norfolk-based USS Bataan (LHD 5) already off the Gulf Coast.
Navy support elements from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 2 and Beach Master Unit 2, also based at NAB Little Creek, established footholds in Gulfport and Biloxi, Miss., Sept. 4 immediately increasing relief efforts there.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
