2004-2005 - Thailand (Operation Unified Assistance)
![050105-N-5376G-019: Island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Indonesian children smile and cheer as U.S. Navy helicopters from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) fly-in purified water and relief supplies to a small village on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Pho... 050105-N-5376G-019: Island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Indonesian children smile and cheer as U.S. Navy helicopters from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) fly-in purified water and relief supplies to a small village on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Pho...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2004-2005-thailand-operation-unified-assistance/_jcr_content/body/media_asset/image.img.jpg/1677844326972.jpg)
Following the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004, the U.S. military responded with a humanitarian relief effort. The U.S. Navy dispatched Carrier Strike Group 9, led by USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) for assistance to the coast of Sumatra and to the Indonesian province of Aceh. USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) led an expeditionary strike group to add in the assisstance. For those in medical need, USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) was deployed. The operation ended when Mercy departed in April 2005.
![05015-N-1229B-211: Two SH-60B Seahawks, assigned to Saberhawks of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Seven (HSL-47) refuel on the flight deck aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Photographed by Photographer’s Mate Airman Patrick M. Bo... 05015-N-1229B-211: Two SH-60B Seahawks, assigned to Saberhawks of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Seven (HSL-47) refuel on the flight deck aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Photographed by Photographer’s Mate Airman Patrick M. Bo...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2004-2005-thailand-operation-unified-assistance/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_346377863/image.img.jpg/1677844399934.jpg)
Some other assisting ships: USS Shiloh (CG-67), USS Shoup (DDG-86), USS Benfold (DDG-65), USS Rainer (T-AOE-7), USS Duluth (LPD-6), USS Millus (DDG-69), USS Rushmore (LSD-47), USS Thatch (FFG-43), USS Pasadena (SSN-752), USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) and USS Essex (LHD-2).
![050104-M-9792P-027: U.S. Marines work with Indonesian military personnel and international aid workers to sort and distribute humanitarian relief supplies stored in a warehouse at Palonia Air Field in Medan, Indonesia, January 4, 2005. Photograph... 050104-M-9792P-027: U.S. Marines work with Indonesian military personnel and international aid workers to sort and distribute humanitarian relief supplies stored in a warehouse at Palonia Air Field in Medan, Indonesia, January 4, 2005. Photograph...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2004-2005-thailand-operation-unified-assistance/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1091114820/image.img.jpg/1677844354874.jpg)
![050106-N-4166B-061: An aerial view of Tsunami-stricken Meulaboh, Sumatra, Indonesia. Photographed by on January 5, 2005 by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley. Official U.S. Navy Photograph. 050106-N-4166B-061: An aerial view of Tsunami-stricken Meulaboh, Sumatra, Indonesia. Photographed by on January 5, 2005 by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley. Official U.S. Navy Photograph.](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2004-2005-thailand-operation-unified-assistance/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1685441169/image.img.jpg/1677844377334.jpg)
![050106-N-4166B-207: Residents of Meulaboh, Sumatra, Indonesia, gather around Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Maxwell Bjerke as he hands out water that was delivered by his HH-60H Seahawk helicopter. Photographed on January 6, 2005 by Photog... 050106-N-4166B-207: Residents of Meulaboh, Sumatra, Indonesia, gather around Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Maxwell Bjerke as he hands out water that was delivered by his HH-60H Seahawk helicopter. Photographed on January 6, 2005 by Photog...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2004-2005-thailand-operation-unified-assistance/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_193756852/image.img.jpg/1677844424456.jpg)
![330-CFD-DN-SD-06-08280: A quarter starboard stern view showing the US Navy (USN) Military Sealift Command (MSC) Hospital Ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), underway in the Indian Ocean, arriving on station near Banda Aceh, Sumamtra, Indonesia, to suppor... 330-CFD-DN-SD-06-08280: A quarter starboard stern view showing the US Navy (USN) Military Sealift Command (MSC) Hospital Ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), underway in the Indian Ocean, arriving on station near Banda Aceh, Sumamtra, Indonesia, to suppor...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/21st-century/2000-2009/2004-2005-thailand-operation-unified-assistance/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_695729520/image.img.jpg/1677844446621.jpg)