"John S. Shinal" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Errol and Guy.

News reports last night featured the Admiral in charge
speaking about the relief flights and mentioned 30 helos operating
already, but didn't say if they were flying off of ABRAHAM LINCOLN or
BON HOMME RICHARD - I'll assume the numbers are at least correct if
incomplete.

Tentative roster based on members of WESTPAC 2005 :

CVN 72 USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN obviously can operate a lot of helos
CG 52 USS BUNKER HILL listed as 2 SH-60B
DDG 69 USS MILIUS potential 1 SH-60B
FFG 43 USS THACH listed as 2 SH-60B
LHD 6 USS BON HOMME RICHARD listed as 35-40 helicopters
LPD 6 USS DULUTH potential 4 helos
LSD 47 USS RUSHMORE potential 4 helos

15th MEU listed as 12 CH-46E, 4 CH-53E, 3 UH-1N

In addition, the 15th MEU has a bunch of engineering equipment and
water purification equipment listed.

There are supposed to be a number of US C-130s operating 24 hr in
addition to the 6 from Australia and 1 from New Zealand, and 4 more
UH-1s from Australia.

That's quite a bit of airlift, even if they have a lot of
territory to cover.

I wonder if they will fly off some F-18s to Guam and rotate in
further helos to LINCOLN ?

Is a "water lift" from LINCOLN's prodigious freshwater
generating capacity feasible ? Apparently there is already a
"breadlift" underway featuring the LINCOLN's bakery (!) .


The RN have a frigate (HMS Chatham) and the repair ship
RFA Diligence on the way. Diligence is designed to provide
forward repair and maintenance facilities to ships and submarines
operating away from their home ports, so in addition to a variety
of workshops she can also provide, fuel, water and power.

http://www.armedforces.co.uk/navy/listings/l0028.html

Keith