SOUTHCOM diverts Navy ship to support hurricane relief

Courtesy Photo | The amphibious ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 19, 2005, during U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey flight operations. U.S. Southern Command today diverted the USS WASP from an international maritime exercise in Panama to the coast of Nicaragua to assist with disaster relief efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Felix. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy Bensken)  

MIAMI, FL, UNITED STATES

09.06.2007

Courtesy Story

U.S. Southern Command

MIAMI – U.S. Southern Command diverted the USS WASP (LHD 1) from an international maritime exercise in Panama to the coast of Nicaragua to assist with disaster relief efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Felix.

The redeployment of the U.S. Navy amphibious ship was directed in response to a request for international assistance from the government of Nicaragua and in close coordination with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance.

USS WASP, homeported in Norfolk, Va., was operating in the sea lanes approaching the Panama Canal as a command and control vessel for a fleet of more than 30 multinational ships participating
in exercise Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX. It is expected to arrive off the coast of Nicaragua Thursday.

"USS Wasp, already operating in the Caribbean Sea, transitioned quickly from its exercise scenario into an operational capability ready to coordinate and synchronize U.S. military assistance to the people of Nicaragua," said Rear Adm. Harry Harris, U.S. Southern Command director of operations.
As part of its mission, U.S. Southern Command routinely conducts humanitarian assistance operations with partner nations in its area of focus and assists USAID and regional countries with disaster relief efforts in times of crisis.

U.S. Southern Command has previously provided support to Nicaraguan emergency response officials in times of crisis, including the delivery of relief supplies and equipment following the passing Hurricane Beta in November 2005, and the deployment of medical assistance teams to aid burn and alcohol-poisoning victims in 2006.

U.S. Southern Command military planners continue to work with interagency partners and their counterparts in countries affected by Felix to assess recovery needs in the affected areas and identify additional U.S. military units that may be able to provide assistance.

• Date Taken: 09.06.2007
• Date Posted: 09.06.2007 08:12
• Story ID: 12206
• Location: MIAMI, FL, US