Posted: March 27, 2015

Photos: USNS Wheeler provides aid on Pagan


By Captain John Mansfield
Master, USNS VADM K.R. Wheeler

From March 14 to 20, the USNS VADM K.R. Wheeler and Fast Tempo combined the vessels' underway time with the delivery of humanitarian aid to the residents of the Island of Pagan, which was coordinated with the help of Saipan Judge David Wiseman and Northern Marianas Municipality Mayor Jarome Aldan, and supported by Captain Robert Rochford, commodore of Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron 3. The USNS Wheeler and Fast Tempo delivered the much-needed supplies to the residents of the island. The USNS Wheeler's rigid hull inflatable boat was used to bring the supplies to the beach since there is no dock facility on Pagan. Some of the crew assisted the island's residents in repairing storm damage and Chief Engineer Patrick Yarbrough repaired their SSB and VHF antennae. There is an active volcano on the island, as seen from the USNS Wheeler. Here on the island are First Assistant Engineer Frank Celino and Captain John Mansfield from the USNS Wheeler, DS-2 Mission Specialist Rick Bower, and island residents Sandy (Sandman) and his wife, Chris.