Gulf of Mexico (Aug. 31, 2005) - A Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) assigned Assault Craft Unit Two (ACU-2), departs the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) bound for New Orleans. The LCU is loaded with sandbags, water, a small flat bottom boat, 300 lifejackets, a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and enough supplies to last ten days as part of the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina hit the Southern Gulf Coast States. Bataan's involvement in the humanitarian assistance operations is an effort led by the Department of Defense in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Bataan has been tasked to be the Maritime Disaster Relief Coordinator for the Navy's role in the relief efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Pedro A. Rodriguez (RELEASED)
Gulf of Mexico (Aug. 31, 2005) – Commander, Joint Task Force Katrina, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, salutes as he walks through rainbow sideboys on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Lt. Gen. Honore visited Bataan to get a first-hand look at the ship's disaster relief operations capabilities. Bataan’s involvement in the humanitarian assistance operations is an effort led by the Department of Defense in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Bataan has been tasked to be the Maritime Disaster Relief Coordinator for the Navy’s role in the relief efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Joanne De Vera (RELEASED)
Norfolk, Va. (Aug. 31, 2005) - Fork trucks from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) load stores from the pier to the ship prior to getting underway from Naval Station Norfolk. Iwo Jima and three other Hampton Roads-based amphibious ships will get underway today to head to areas off the Gulf Coast as part of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The four ships bring with them six Disaster Relief Teams (DRTs) that include amphibious construction equipment, medical personnel and associated supplies to assist with the relief effort. The Navy's involvement in the humanitarian assistance operations is an effort led by the Department of Defense in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Gregory A. Roberts (RELEASED)