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Forest Service departs JB MDL

  • Published
  • By Airman Sean M. Crowe
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The U.S. Forest Service Operating Center finished its tasking for Hurricane Sandy relief operations staged here Nov. 14, 2012, and have since demobilized.

The federal government staged the forest service's base of operations at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst from chain saw operators, or saws, were dispatched to local areas where trees have been destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. The operating center began outprocessing the saws on Nov. 14, 2012, by sending them through the logistics sections of the operating center.

"We deal with the logistics of getting crews home including vehicle inspections, lodging arrangements and providing food," said Tricia Christofferson, California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 information officer. "We've done things to make this process easier for the saws including generation of Quick Response Codes for maps and other references."

The operating center fulfilled a support role while the saws were dispatched to local communities to clear the Hurricane Sandy wreckage. The base provided many amenities to the operating center.

"We provided the forest service with billeting, a safe-staging area and sustenance," said Capt. Elizabeth Wagner, 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron Material Management Flight commander.

The 87th LRS, in addition to other mission partners, worked to ensure the saws ability to do their job was not hindered. One member said he feels as though he is making progress in the overall recovery effort.

"There were several teams in Mercer County clearing trees and debris from the streets," said Jake Cagle, CIIMT 4 supervisor. "The people were very happy to see access points opened, allowing them to get around. I really saw the gratitude the local people had for my team."

The saws came from across the country to assist Hurricane Sandy victims. The operating center ensured saws had room keys, supplies and other amenities upon arrival.