Humanitarian Disaster Relief Ship USS Tarawa Takes Station
The Hospital and Medical ship USS Kearsarge has been on site in Bangladesh for some time providing humanitarian aid, water purification and medical services for the survivors of the Tropical Cyclone Sidr.
USS Tarawa was on site in Bangladesh last Monday and relieved the USS Kearsarge in the support and relief efforts for U.S. Forces on scene.
The Kearsarge has been under the Command of Marine Expeditionary Forces in Bangladesh responding to the devastation wrought by the Tropical storm. While there, the Kearsarge has given out water purification tablets, blankets, purified water, food and other supplied totaling more than two hundred pounds of supplies.
Drinking water delivered has been more than fourteen thousand gallons, needed critically especially in the early days after the storm.
Commander of Task Force 76, Rear Admiral Carol Pottenger was enthusiastic of her praise for her troops. “I am very proud of the entire force, both Navy and Marine efforts “ said Admiral Pottenger. “Our mission has saved many many lives, and it gives a face to all the compassion and generosity shown by the world,†said the Admiral.
Kearsarge based helicopters delivered supplies along with assistance from the Assault Landing crafts based on ship from Unit Four.
This is the second time that humanitarian aid has been given following a major disaster like this. This mission is called Operation Sea Angel II, after the original U.S. humanitarian mission in Bangladesh, which took place in 1991.
The San Diego based Tarawa will continue the efforts began by the Kearsarge. Food, medicine, water and other supplies will continue to be
