ANCHORAGE, Alaska –
On March 27, 1964 at 5:36 p.m., a 9.2-magnitude earthquake shook the Prince William Sound region of Alaska. It was the second-largest earthquake ever recorded in the world.
The Fort Eustis-based 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) hosted a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore exercise in Anchorage on the 50th anniversary of what is now known as the "Great Alaskan Earthquake." From March 16 to April 14, a joint task force consisting of U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel demonstrated the ability to rapidly deploy in support of the local and state authorities during the JLOTS portion of the large-scale Alaska Shield 14 exercise.
Alaska Shield 14 combined federal, state, local and military agencies to test response and coordination efforts during a disaster such as the 1964 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated much of South Central Alaska, including the city of Anchorage.
Key capabilities in the exercise included establishing and managing port operations, fuel transfer, storage capabilities, receiving large cargo vessels and transferring supplies to port.
The 7th Trans. Bde. (Ex.) has performed JLOTS operations around the globe, and brought their wealth of experience to the exercise to allow the JTF to be able to reach further and respond faster.
"We could do this anywhere," said U.S. Army Col. Randal Nelson, 7th Trans. Bde. (Ex.) commander and the JTF-7 commander. "We have done this in Haiti, South Korea, South America; it makes no difference here at the Port of Anchorage -- this applies everywhere."
During the exercise, assets from different branches of the military worked in concert to achieve maximum results. For example, the Navy provided a large seagoing vessel to work alongside the fleet of smaller, highly maneuverable boats while the Coast Guard provided port security.
The scenario involved damage to the port that prevented seagoing ships from docking, and the JTF was tasked with bridging the gap. The Navy's USNS Mendonca, a Large Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off, downloaded 20-foot shipping containers onto Army logistic support vessels and landing craft utilities, who then transferred the containers to an unimproved ramp for movement ashore. Additionally, Army large tug and small tug vessels helped the LSVs and LCUs navigate the heavy currents of the port.
Nelson said 7th Trans. Bde. (Ex.) came away from the exercise "prepared to provide Alaska with assistance in any situation."
"The bottom is line getting the critical relief supplies off the naval ships in deep water and shuttled onto the port," said Nelson. "[While] we're up here to learn lessons, document them and [improve our performance], we are ready to go [in the event of a real-world disaster]."