Kearsarge group deploys early for Pakistan mission

NORFOLK

The Navy dispatched a second wave of ships Friday to support relief efforts in Pakistan, although the vessels may not reach the flood-ravaged country until October.

The amphibious assault ship Kearsarge, the amphibious transport dock Ponce and the dock landing ship Carter Hall - all based in Norfolk and Virginia Beach - are carrying roughly 4,000 sailors and Marines.

It could take the ships about a month to reach the Pakistani coast, which is more than 7,000 miles away.

It's not yet clear how long the Kearsarge group will stay. The ships' biggest role will probably be as a logistics hub for moving supplies, victims and rescue crews, said Capt. Larry Grippin, the group's commander.

"That's what our capabilities lend themselves to," he said. "But really we'll be there to support the relief effort in any way the Pakistani government asks us to."

The ships are carrying Navy and Marine Corps helicopters that will allow crews to reach the whole of the country while remaining sea-based, said Col. Mark Desens, who heads the contingent of Marines on board, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The ships did not deploy with food or other relief materials but will probably pick them up from supply ships closer to Pakistan, Grippin said.

The Kearsarge is equipped to provide medical treatment for flood victims; it keeps a 600-bed hospital and deployed with a team of surgeons.

The Kearsarge group will join the amphibious assault ship Peleliu, based in San Diego, which reached Pakistan soon after the flooding began.

The Navy hasn't made public any plans to send additional vessels.

The Kearsarge originally was scheduled to deploy to the Middle East on a peacekeeping mission in late September. The Navy said earlier this month that the departure would be moved up because of the Pakistan disaster, which has claimed 1,600 lives and affected nearly 20 million.

The Kearsarge sailors and Marines are expected to be away at least seven months. After their work in Pakistan they'll continue on with their previously planned tour.

"We're going to help people, and I'm glad about that," said 2nd Class Petty Officer Bryan Draves, an aircraft electrician who was pierside Friday morning, hugging his wife as he prepared to step aboard. "But it's tough having to leave early and maybe be gone even longer than we thought."

Added his wife, Jordan Maynard, "This is his first deployment since we've been married. I'm not expecting it to be easy."

Supporting the Kearsarge group are Amphibious Squadron 4, Naval Beach Group 2, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team 6 and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22.

Corinne Reilly (757) 446-2949, corinne.reilly@pilotonline.com