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Iwo Jima Arrives to Assist Hurricane Katrina Recovery Efforts

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050905-02
Release Date: 9/5/2005 12:00:00 PM

 

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Mike Jones, USS Iwo Jima Public Affairs

ABOARD USS IWO JIMA, Gulf of Mexico (NNS) -- After a three-day high-speed transit down the East Coast of the United States and around into the Gulf of Mexico, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), along with various embarked air and amphibious landing assets, arrived on station in the Gulf of Mexico off Biloxi, Miss., Sept. 3 to begin humanitarian assistance operations to the devastated region.

The multipurpose, amphibious assault ship raced from its home port of Norfolk, Va., to head to areas off the Gulf Coast as part of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

“The dynamic flexibility of amphibious operations makes this the ideal platform for this type of humanitarian assistance,” said Capt. Sinclair Harris, commander, Amphibious Squadron 4. “Twenty-four hours after Iwo Jima received the call to assist, we were stocked with supplies and headed to the Gulf. We’ve quickly established communications to support the humanitarian mission and added support and mobility to FEMA and all agencies involved.”

Iwo Jima, along with the Hampton Roads-based USS Tortuga (LSD 46), USS Shreveport (LPD 12), USS Grapple (ARS 53), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), and elements of Naval Beach Group 2, joined the ongoing efforts of USS Bataan (LHD 5) as part of Joint Task Force Katrina to deliver much-needed supplies, medicine and evacuation capabilities to the Gulf Coast states ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

“Hurricane Katrina has cut a great swath of devastation and tragedy along the Gulf Coast,” said Iwo Jima Commanding Officer Capt. Richard S. Callas. “The destruction and suffering caused by this natural disaster will be remembered for years – but we are glad that we have the opportunity to help.”

While on station, Iwo Jima will serve as the launch pad for amphibious and air operations to deliver supplies to the beach as well as establish a foothold in the Biloxi and Gulfport areas as massive recovery efforts continue.

For the crew of Iwo Jima, especially those who called the storm-affected region home, the opportunity to assist was eagerly embraced.

“We train and train and train to respond to any situation we’re needed for,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jonathan C. Tillman, who hails from Baton Rouge, La. “For me, and a lot of my shipmates from this part of the country, the chance to help out in any way is one I would never pass up. I want to be able to say I did everything I possibly could to help out.”

Tillman departed Iwo Jima with the first groups from Construction Battalion 2 (ACB 2) to begin setting up in Biloxi.

Iwo Jima will remain on station as part of Joint Task Force Katrina as recovery efforts continue in the region.

The Navy's involvement in the humanitarian assistance operations is led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in conjunction with the Department of Defense.