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USS Pearl Harbor Continues Pakistan Relief Effort
Story Number: NNS051023-02
Release Date: 10/23/2005 3:00:00 PM
By Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Curt Cooper and Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class (AW/SW) Tony Spiker, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 22, bound for Pakistan with 130 tons of essential supplies for the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit the region.
Sailors from Pearl Harbor, the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 53, as well as volunteers from the United Arab Emirates’ Red Crescent Society and other workers from the area sorted, palletized, and loaded emergency relief supplies onto Pearl Harbor.
The relief supplies included blankets, mattresses, heaters, food, water, clothes and shoes, as well as other comfort items. The supplies will help fill the basic needs of the Pakistani people affected by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck the region Oct. 8.
“We are very thankful to the U.S. Navy and the Red Crescent Society of U.A.E. for helping us during this very urgent time,” said Najeeb Durrani, the Deputy Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “The United States and the U.A.E. are both our friends, and they understand the magnitude of the disaster and they are helping us.”
The event marks the ship’s second humanitarian relief mission to Pakistan in the last week. Oct. 18, the ship delivered heavy construction equipment to Karachi, Pakistan, and was the first U.S. Navy ship to participate in the relief effort.
“It’s tragic when a disaster of this magnitude happens and millions of people are affected,” said Cmdr. Jonathan Harnden, Pearl Harbor’s commanding officer. “It is good to know that what we are doing out here is having a positive effect on the lives of the Pakistani people in the region.”
“It's very satisfying to be able to do something to help out. Winter is coming, and hopefully these supplies will save lives,” said Harnden.
“It's a great opportunity for the U.S. Navy and the U.A.E. to show that we are a global society and we're looking out for our fellow man,” said Lt. Emanuel Easter, officer in charge of CTF 53 United Arab Emirates detachment and a native of Atlanta, Ga. “I think it was a great chance for me to contribute to other communities outside the United States.”
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.
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