Serving as liaisons between the Navy and the crew of the ship and the stevedores on the pier, the EPU 114 reservists are coordinating the loadout of 407 items of cargo, consisting of containers full of mechanical components, automobiles, building supplies, workplace provides and electronics tools, and cellular workplace unites; provides wanted for the yr’s survival at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
Based on Cmdr. Timothy Cushanick, EPU 114’s commanding officer, the ethical among the many six-member reserve group is excessive, one thing he attributes to the mission itself, and to the truth that this yr’s mission might be accomplished earlier than Christmas, not like previous years when it was carried out through the vacation.
“Everyone is worked up to assist the mission, as a result of it’s so totally different than something we usually do, but additionally as a result of we might be dwelling for the vacations!” he defined. “You may really feel the thrill speaking to the ship’s grasp and crew. They actually need to be on this mission and to go to Antarctica. ODF is actually one a one in every of a sort factor for all of us, and all of us really feel privileged to be part of it.”
Loading cargo into the 545-foot Ocean Gladiator requires superior planning. Weight variations in cargo, in addition to the kinds of cargo loaded and the storage points require a selected load order, which is adopted to the letter to make sure an on time departure. Due to this, the reservists have labored with members of the MSCPAC Operations group in addition to Ocean Gladiator’s crew, port staff, stevedores and members of the Nationwide Science Basis and Ports of America.
“This mission is supporting real-world operations, and never a table-top situation sort train like we as reservists usually do,” mentioned Cushanick. “This can be a unbelievable alternative for all of us, as a result of we’re working as a brand new group, with organizations we don’t usually work with. This mission is particular, due to the size of it. As a result of it’s almost two weeks lengthy, we’re in a position to actually get to know all of the gamers, particularly the ship’s crew, their capabilities and their wants. These are issues we will take with us into different missions.”
Navy reservists are used to working in new environments with a group they haven’t met earlier than, however that doesn’t imply it’s simple. Working as a brand new group can have its personal set of challenges. To make the transition into the ODF mission simpler, the EPU-114 group started communication by means of digital means weeks in the past, attending to know one another, and figuring out power of every member. Whereas that they had not labored as a group earlier than reaching Port Hueneme, they did have a familiarization with one another.
“Working electronically earlier than the mission set the stage for working collectively,” mentioned Cushanick. “We’d not know one another bodily, however we did know one another’s names and a bit of little bit of their personalities, which positively makes the primary couple of days simpler.”
Ocean Gladiator will depart Port Hueneme later within the week. Following a cease in Christchurch, New Zealand, the place the ship will load further cargo, it should journey to the ice-pier at McMurdo Station, the place members of Navy Cargo Dealing with Battalion ONE will conduct the offload. Earlier than departing McMurdo station, Ocean Gladiator might be loaded with ice core samples that might be saved on the ship in sub-zero freezer containers. The ice core samples might be delivered to america for scientific research. As well as, retrograde cargo might be loaded onto the ship for transportation off the continent. These embrace trash and recyclable supplies for disposal and tools not required on the station.
Operation Deep Freeze is a joint service, on-going Protection Help to Civilian Authorities exercise in assist of the Nationwide Science Basis (NSF), lead company for america Antarctic Program. Mission assist consists of lively obligation, Guard and Reserve personnel from the U.S. Air Power, Navy, Army, and Coast Guard in addition to Division of Protection civilians and hooked up non-DOD civilians. ODF operates from two major areas located at Christchurch, New Zealand and McMurdo Station, Antarctica. An MSC-chartered cargo ship and tanker have made the difficult voyage to Antarctica yearly for the reason that station and its resupply mission have been established in 1955.
