Strong American brings strong aid to Guyana

By Trish Hoffman

Strong American unloaded three Colorado National Guard helicopters for medical support during the exercise. Wayne Kroog photos

Military Sealift Command's Strong American, a chartered integrated tug and barge, became one of the largest vessels ever to enter the port of Georgetown, Guyana, on May 29. She delivered cargo for a New Horizons exercise sponsored by the U.S. Southern Command headquartered in Miami, Fla., that will run through August.

New Horizons, a humanitarian civic assistance exercise, was started in the mid-1980s with a dual mission — to provide aid for impoverished countries in the Western Hemisphere and supply training for U.S. military engineering, medical and support staff personnel. Over the past two decades, the exercise has resulted in new schools, paved roads and medical services in underdeveloped countries. Since the program's establishment, New Horizons has provided aid for thousands of people in South America and the Caribbean.

The U.S. Air Force's 820th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, also called the 820th Red Horse, from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., joined forces with the Colorado National Guard for New Horizons 2004.

Strong American had to unload all of her cargo on the bow and side ramps. The 820th Red Horse had to deliver all construction supplies needed to build in the impoverished country.

"The 820th Red Horse is the construction team, and the National Guard is providing helicopter support in case of emergencies. These guys are great to work with," reported MSC Houston representative Wayne Kroog.

While in Guyana, the units have plans for three construction projects including a community center.

The tiny port of Georgetown was not the initial destination for Strong American and her cargo. While she was loading at Port Hueneme, Calif., the original country selected for the exercise, Ecuador, unexpectedly withdrew.

Since the exercise was too far along to abort, the country of Suriname on the northeast coast of South America became the new destination for the New Horizon exercise.

Small tugs help guide the 605-foot Strong American into Georgetown’s underdeveloped port as she lowers her bow ramp.

But while Strong American was en route, Suriname also canceled when diplomatic negotiations proved troublesome, leaving the ship full of cargo with no destination. The government of Guyana, an impoverished nation just west of Suriname, made an official offer to be the location for the exercise. The invitation was accepted, and Strong American headed for Georgetown.

"It was really great that MSC was able to adapt to the changing locations. These exercises are very valuable training tools. Since MSC was so flexible, we were still able to have our exercise," said Capt. Michael Freeman, USAF, an officer with the 12th Air Force, headquarters for the 820th Red Horse.

The logistics of getting a 605-foot ship into the port of Georgetown were extensive. To prevent Strong American from running aground, her crew had to wait until the tide's highest point to pull into port. Once docked, off-loading began immediately. Strong American had to sail on the next high tide 24 hours later, so the unloading went quickly.

A national guardsman works on a helicopter while in port in Guyana.

The port of Georgetown has very little infrastructure and was unable to aid the unloading process. Since there were no cranes at the dock, approximately 173 containers and 65 vehicles had to be unloaded via the ship's bow and side ramps. The containers were loaded onto flatbed trailers and towed off of the ship with farm tractors.

"The unloading of Strong American at the port of Georgetown was a hilarious sight. It is not every day that you see a farm tractor unloading a container," explained Kroog.

Despite the rough start, New Horizons 2004-Guyana will bring aid to the people of Guyana and promises to be an important learning experience for the U.S. military.