Posted on 03/02/2006 3:25:11 PM PST by SandRat
USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- Adm. William J. Fallon, commander, U.S. Pacific Command, visited USS Essex (LHD 2) March 2, to thank the crew and embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) for their hard work during the Leyte humanitarian assistance, disaster relief efforts while the ship was underway off the Philippine coast.
Essex, commanded by Capt. Martin J. Keaney, along with USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and elements of the 31st MEU, were diverted from the previously planned Exercise Balikatan 06 to help in the relief and recovery efforts after a devastating landslide covered a village in the southern area of Leyte Feb. 17.
Keaney started the ‘all-hands call’ on the flight deck by telling the crew “…the efforts of the past week, assisting in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance in Leyte, within 36 hours of the tasking order, is another example of our readiness for all missions. FDNF (Forward Deployed Naval Force) Sailors and Marines are the ready force.”
Keaney’s comments were echoed by Fallon, the senior U.S. military officer in the Pacific.
“You all responded with speed, agility and flexibility, shifting from Exercise Balikatan to the relief effort,” said Fallon. He explained to the crew that the word ‘Balikatan’ means “shoulder to shoulder” in Tagalog. “The significance is you all stood shoulder to shoulder with the Philippine military in recovery and rescue efforts, and I salute your terrific work and your flexibility.”
Many senior Filipino civilian government and military members made the helicopter flight out to the ship to thank the crew. Secretary of National Defense, Secretary Avelino Cruz, thanked the Sailors and Marines for their participation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
“On behalf of the Philippine government and the Philippine people, let me extend our appreciation and thank you for your help. This is a clear example of the close alliance between our countries, as it has been for more than a century,” said Cruz.
Essex and Harpers Ferry operated as sea-based platforms beginning Feb. 19 for numerous sorties into Southern Leyte, bringing relief supplies, equipment and personnel from ship to shore. Helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 262 (Reinforced), Landing Craft Utilities (LCU) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 Western Pacific Detachment and Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 Western Pacific Detachment were in continuous motion to provide the much-needed humanitarian aid from Feb. 19, until Feb. 28.
“What you did to help us in the recovery effort will remain in the hearts of all Filipinos for years to come,” added Cruz.
The Sasebo, Japan-based Essex is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, and the flagship for the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group.
For related news, visit the Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.
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