Aberdeen's Daily World reported Friday that on Thurs., Apr. 26, five helicopters from Fort Lewis "came to inspect the Port [of Aberdeen] facilities for possible future use in shipping military cargo."[1]  --  Reporter Paula Horton said that the executive director of the Port, Gary Nelson, "said the military told him it wants to explore shipping options, and he directed the Port staff to begin making contingency plans."  --  "Local law enforcement agencies have been working with the Port on possible security backup for Port personnel and are developing a response plan in the event military shipments draw anti-war protesters," Horton reported.  --  Thanks to Olympia City Councilmember TJ Johnson for posting this; he comments:  "It looks like the military is getting serious about using the Port of Aberdeen to ship war supplies." ...

1.

WHY THE CHOPPERS?
By Paula Horton

Daily World (Aberdeen, WA)
April 27, 2007

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/04/27/local_news/01news.prt

[PHOTO CAPTION: Military personnel prepare a “Blackhawk” helicopter for take-off from the Port of Grays Harbor on Thursday. It was one of five choppers from the 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron from Fort Lewis that landed at Terminal 4 near The Home Depot.]

Five Army helicopters caused quite a stir as they descended from the drizzly sky and landed at the Port of Grays Harbor’s Terminal 4 near the Aberdeen Home Depot Thursday.

The choppers from Fort Lewis were on a training exercise and also came to inspect the Port facilities for possible future use in shipping military cargo.

The Port has no details on what might be shipped or when, according to its executive director, Gary Nelson. He said the military told him it wants to explore shipping options, and he directed the Port staff to begin making contingency plans.

Local law enforcement agencies have been working with the Port on possible security backup for Port personnel and are developing a response plan in the event military shipments draw anti-war protesters.

The helicopters -- including OH-58 “Kiowa” light observation helicopter and a UH-60 “Blackhawk” combat assault chopper -- were from the 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron.

“They were conducting routine operations to prepare for future use of the Port,” said Catherine Caruso, a public affairs specialist at Fort Lewis. “For operational security reasons we don’t discuss future movements, locations, or timelines.”

The helicopters were on the ground for about two hours and provided an opportunity for the Aberdeen Fire Department to get some hands-on training with equipment it rarely sees, Nelson said.

“The training was primarily focused on extrication techniques for pilot and crew members, in addition to orientation of fuel and power shutoff systems, as well as special firefighting precautions related to helicopters,” Fire Chief Dave Carlberg said.

Nelson said Port officials have been talking with the military off and on for several years and noted that three years ago tanks were shipped out of the Port.

“It’s fitting, with a long tradition of the Port and community supporting Fort Lewis and the military movement,” Nelson said. “It probably surprises some people, but for some of the older folks in town, it doesn’t.”

Nelson said the Port respects civil liberties, but will ensure the security of its facilities.

In March, about 100 anti-war activists protested the Army’s use of the Port of Tacoma to ship armored fighting vehicles and other equipment to Iraq. Thirty-seven protesters were arrested over a 10-day period, the majority of them after performing acts of peaceful civil disobedience.

Anti-war activists staged similar protests over a 10-day period at the Port of Olympia last May. The protests turned violent on the last day, causing officers to fire pepper spray into crowd. Nearly 40 people were arrested.