Aircraft carrier strike group anchors in Philippines area to deliver relief supplies
Iin a photo provided by the U.S. Navy sailors assigned to the Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron remove equipment from an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter Wednesday aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to make room for transport of cargo and personnel.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor said the USS George Washington aircraft carrier strike group arrived in the vicinity of the Leyte Gulf today to contribute to the relief effort in the aftermath of the Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.
The Navy said the USS George Washington and the cruisers USS Antietam and USS Cowpens are anchored off the eastern coast of Samar island to assess damage and provide logistical and emergency support to include medical and water supplies to the Philippines.
The carrier’s 21 helicopters will ferry emergency supplies, the Navy said.
Also, the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew has transported 11 pallets ashore — eight containing 1920 gallons of water and three packed with food stores — to Tacloban airfield. The Charles Drew will move several pallets of water to Guiuan airfield today.
The Navy said the survey ship USNS Bowditch will survey water conditions in the Leyte Gulf.
The Charles Drew and the destroyer USS Lassen will fly emergency supplies into Tacloban, one of the hard hit areas.
