San Jose, HC-5 in Key Logistics Mission of Mercy

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Beginning its third month of operations in support of Operation Unified Assistance (OUA), the Military Sealift Command (MSC) combat stores ship USNS San Jose (T-AFS 7) continues to be a vital part of the tsunami relief effort, and is currently on station off the coast of Sumatra, directly supporting the MSC hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).

Since Mercy arrived on station Feb. 3, San Jose has been alongside, providing replenishment at sea and serving as a staging platform for two MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 5, Det. 1, providing helicopter air support for Mercy.

"Although most of us do not get to see the people we are helping, we are nevertheless highly motivated because we realize that each HA/DR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) pallet and mission coming off our deck provides a lifeline to those who are in desperate need," said Cmdr. Tae Lee, officer in charge of the military detachment aboard San Jose. "That in itself is reward enough."

San Jose's support of OUA dates back to the earliest stages of the relief effort, having initially arrived in the Sumatra area Jan. 4, and continues during this latest phase of HA/DR operations with Mercy.

As a combat stores ship, San Jose has supported numerous ships helping in the operation by transporting more than 2,000 pallets of food, mail, parts and other essential supplies. In addition to its normal duties of keeping the ships supplied during the early days of the operation, San Jose used its embarked helicopter detachment, HC-5, to deliver 700 pallets of HA/DR material to the damaged region or to other ships to be flown ashore. HC-5 has also moved more than 1,000 passengers and medically evacuated 103 patients.

"We feel as though we are truly making a difference," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Joseph Brunsman, a member of San Jose's military detachment. "Seeing the faces of those unfortunate souls was both motivating and heartbreaking, and I think I speak for everyone when I say that they have become indelibly etched in our memories."

San Jose is part of the U.S. 7th Fleet Logistics Force under the operational control of Commander, Task Force 73, headquartered in Singapore. CTF 73 is providing tactical oversight of Mercy during its current mission.

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