Army watercraft assists Colombian Red Cross with delivery of humanitarian aid

Courtesy Photo | Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Long, Vessel Master, 97th Transportation Company 'Heavy Boat,' 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, pulls LCU-2006 away from Killick pier in preparation for trip to the Columbian vessel Benaventura in order to pick up another load of donated relief supplies. Feb. 16. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt 1st Class Kelly Jo Bridgwater)  

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

02.22.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

By Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Jo Bridgwater

Humanitarian assistance in the form of food, water, mattresses and tents have poured into Haiti from countries around the world in the aftermath of the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated the southern region of this small Caribbean nation.

On Feb. 16, Army Landing Craft Utility 2006 assisted in the delivery of donations from the country of Colombia. The "Briscoe Station" transferred the supplies from a civilian vessel anchored off Killick, Haiti to a smaller pier on shore. There, it was downloaded by local Haitian men and United Nations troops for transport to a Colombian Red Cross tent located a few meters away.

"We assisted with the delivery of 423-metric tons of [loosely packaged donations] that were delivered to Killick Pier over a seven-day period," said Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Turner, Marine Operations Officer, 7th Sustainment Brigade. "The donations were brought into Haitian waters by the vessel the Beunaventura from Colombia."

The design of the LCU makes it an ideal choice in providing assistance for this type of mission.

"Our LCUs have the ability to 'bridge the gap' in an unimproved area such as Killick. An unimproved area, or port, is one which does not have the infrastructure to discharge cargo by conventional means and the LCU's shallow draft, and bow ramp and size, make the discharge of HA more efficient."

LCU-2006 "Briscoe Station" is assigned to the 97th Transportation Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade. The 7th Sustainment Brigade is based at Fort Eustis, Va., and has the ability to conduct logistics over the shore operations in the most austere environments providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief around the world.

• Date Taken: 02.22.2010
• Date Posted: 02.22.2010 12:41
• Story ID: 45698
• Location: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HT