Departure of U.S.N.S Spearhead at Port of Gulfport

It was a unique opportunity at the Port of Gulfport as longshoremen and Seabees loaded a special shipment on Saturday.
Saturday the U.S.N.S Spearhead sat anchored in the Port of Gulfport marking a first for the port. The loading of the ship marked the first time since the port was designated a strategic port that the Seabees have used it for a deployment. Commander Josh Perry said, “We are really excited to have the opportunity to utilize the Port of Gulfport. Being that the Seabee Base has been here for many, many years and all of our stuff as you can see is very heavy. It’s very, very advantageous to be able to deploy out of the Port of Gulfport.”
Roughly 130 men and women boarded the boat and head to Honduras for the first official deployment out of the Port of Gulfport. Lt. Rick Moore said, “So, the ship will be off loading several adaptive force packages. We will be conducting medical training, well drilling, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness. We want to be able to strengthen our partnerships with the nations down there and strengthen our inner operability.”
Officials told News 25 that the location of the port and the Seabee Base is convenient. “Typically we go to the Gulfport Airport and we get on airplanes and we fly away to different destinations, but this is a unique opportunity given that the mission is in central South America. It is in our backyard and we are able to deploy directly from our home station,” said Commander Perry.
Money is another key factor in the decision to use the local port. Port of Gulfport Executive Director Jonathan Daniels said, “When you take a look at the cost comparison on moving only two and a half or three miles from the Seabee Base down to the port and that type of mobilization as opposed to putting it on a truck, putting it on rail, or actually flying into some of the other bases for embarkation. We feel that we serve strategically and financially in a really strong capacity.”