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  • Relief Efforts--Humanitarian Aid-Rescue
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2017 - Hurricanes Irma and Maria


170919-N-MC499-271: USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) USS Wasp (LHD 1), SS Wright (T-AVB-3), and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), transit the Caribbean Sea. Kearsarge, Wasp, Oak Hill, McLean, and Wright are assisting with relief efforts...
Caption: 170919-N-MC499-271: USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) USS Wasp (LHD 1), SS Wright (T-AVB-3), and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), transit the Caribbean Sea. Kearsarge, Wasp, Oak Hill, McLean, and Wright are assisting with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Photographed on September 19, 2017 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dana D. Legg. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria, two devastating and extremely powerful hurricanes in September 2017, left severe damage in their wake in the Caribbean and mainland United States.  Irma, hit the U.S. Virgin Islands on September 6, and Maria hit Puerto Rico and the island of Dominica on September 20.   The U.S. Navy supported the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA), the lead federal agency in helping those affeced by the hurricanes.  


170926-N-KW679-0034: Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS Spearhead’s (T-EPF-1), left, is pier side near the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mounts Bay (L3008) in Fort-de-France, Martinique. Spearhead is supporting humanitarian aid and disaster relief ef...
Caption: 170926-N-KW679-0034: Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS Spearhead’s (T-EPF-1), left, is pier side near the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mounts Bay (L3008) in Fort-de-France, Martinique. Spearhead is supporting humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts in the areas afflicted by Hurricane Irma. Photographed September 26, 2017 by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Kirsten Cheyenne Yarber. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

U.S. Navy ships immediately assisting Irma in the Virgin Islands were:  USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), and SS Wright (T-AVB-3).  Embarked on the Kearsarge was 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.  Other Navy ships:  USS New York (LPD-21), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), USS Farragut (DDG-99), and USS San Jacinto (CG-56).  The helicopters assigned to the ships evacuated 1,900 people.  


170925-N-NM806-0325: An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter flies over the island of Dominica during U.S. citizen evacuations and humanitarian relief following the landfall of Hurricane Maria. Photographed on September 25, 2017 by Mass Communication Speci...
Caption: 170925-N-NM806-0325: An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter flies over the island of Dominica during U.S. citizen evacuations and humanitarian relief following the landfall of Hurricane Maria. Photographed on September 25, 2017 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Taylor King. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

U.S. Navy ships initially called to assist following Maria in Puerto Rico and Dominica were:  USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51).  The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit also helped in this relief effort.   The U.S. Coast Guard sent approximately 13 cutters to also provide relief during this operation.   Helicopters brought supplies onto the island.  


170922-N-AY374-003 : Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit board a CH-53E Super Stallion on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge and the 26th MEU are assisting with relief efforts in the afterm...
Caption: 170922-N-AY374-003 : Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit board a CH-53E Super Stallion on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge and the 26th MEU are assisting with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Photographed on September 22, 2017 by (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob Goff. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

170929-N-ZN152-0010: The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departs Naval Station Norfolk to support humanitarian relief operations. Photographed on September 29, 2017 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ernest R...
Caption: 170929-N-ZN152-0010: The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departs Naval Station Norfolk to support humanitarian relief operations. Photographed on September 29, 2017 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ernest R. Scott. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) provided help to victims of both hurricanes.


170928-N-KW492-392: Pallets of supplies are transferred from the fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during a replenishment-at-sea for continuing operations in Puerto Rico. Kearsarge...
Caption: 170928-N-KW492-392: Pallets of supplies are transferred from the fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during a replenishment-at-sea for continuing operations in Puerto Rico. Kearsarge is assisting with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Photographed on September 28, 2017 by (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryre Arciaga. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

170927-N-KW492-213: Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), and local volunteers unload food from an MV-22 Osprey in Jayuya, Puerto Rico. Kearsarge is assisting ...
Caption: 170927-N-KW492-213: Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), and local volunteers unload food from an MV-22 Osprey in Jayuya, Puerto Rico. Kearsarge is assisting with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Photographed on September 27, 2017 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryre Arciaga. Official U.S. Navy photograph.
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Published: Tue May 12 13:47:00 EDT 2020