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2004-2005 - Thailand (Operation Unified Assistance)


050105-N-5376G-019: Island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Indonesian children smile and cheer as U.S. Navy helicopters from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) fly-in purified water and relief supplies to a small village on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Pho...
Caption: 050105-N-5376G-019: Island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Indonesian children smile and cheer as U.S. Navy helicopters from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) fly-in purified water and relief supplies to a small village on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Photographed by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Benjamin D. Glass. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

Following the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004, the U.S. military responded with a humanitarian relief effort.  The U.S. Navy dispatched Carrier Strike Group 9, led by USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) for assistance to the coast of Sumatra and to the Indonesian province of Aceh.  USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) led an expeditionary strike group to add in the assisstance.    For those in medical need, USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) was deployed.  The operation ended when Mercy departed in April 2005.  


05015-N-1229B-211: Two SH-60B Seahawks, assigned to Saberhawks of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Seven (HSL-47) refuel on the flight deck aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Photographed by Photographer’s Mate Airman Patrick M. Bo...
Caption: 05015-N-1229B-211: Two SH-60B Seahawks, assigned to Saberhawks of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Seven (HSL-47) refuel on the flight deck aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Photographed by Photographer’s Mate Airman Patrick M. Bonafede. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

Some other assisting ships:  USS Shiloh (CG-67), USS Shoup (DDG-86), USS Benfold (DDG-65), USS Rainer (T-AOE-7), USS Duluth (LPD-6), USS Millus (DDG-69), USS Rushmore (LSD-47), USS Thatch (FFG-43), USS Pasadena (SSN-752), USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) and USS Essex (LHD-2).  


050104-M-9792P-027: U.S. Marines work with Indonesian military personnel and international aid workers to sort and distribute humanitarian relief supplies stored in a warehouse at Palonia Air Field in Medan, Indonesia, January 4, 2005. Photograph...
Caption: 050104-M-9792P-027: U.S. Marines work with Indonesian military personnel and international aid workers to sort and distribute humanitarian relief supplies stored in a warehouse at Palonia Air Field in Medan, Indonesia, January 4, 2005. Photographed by Lance Cpl. Andreas A. Plaze. Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph.

050106-N-4166B-061: An aerial view of Tsunami-stricken Meulaboh, Sumatra, Indonesia. Photographed by on January 5, 2005 by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley. Official U.S. Navy Photograph.
Caption: 050106-N-4166B-061: An aerial view of Tsunami-stricken Meulaboh, Sumatra, Indonesia. Photographed by on January 5, 2005 by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley. Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

050106-N-4166B-207: Residents of Meulaboh, Sumatra, Indonesia, gather around Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Maxwell Bjerke as he hands out water that was delivered by his HH-60H Seahawk helicopter. Photographed on January 6, 2005 by Photog...
Caption: 050106-N-4166B-207: Residents of Meulaboh, Sumatra, Indonesia, gather around Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Maxwell Bjerke as he hands out water that was delivered by his HH-60H Seahawk helicopter. Photographed on January 6, 2005 by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley. Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

330-CFD-DN-SD-06-08280: A quarter starboard stern view showing the US Navy (USN) Military Sealift Command (MSC) Hospital Ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), underway in the Indian Ocean, arriving on station near Banda Aceh, Sumamtra, Indonesia, to suppor...
Caption: 330-CFD-DN-SD-06-08280: A quarter starboard stern view showing the US Navy (USN) Military Sealift Command (MSC) Hospital Ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), underway in the Indian Ocean, arriving on station near Banda Aceh, Sumamtra, Indonesia, to support Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian operation effort in response to the Tsunami that struck Southeast Asia, February 2005. PH3 James R. Mcgury, USN. Official U.S. Navy Photograph.
Published: Thu May 07 13:06:09 EDT 2020