An Expeditionary Strike Group led by the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard, scheduled for a port call in Guam, was dispatched to render assistance. A total of 48 Navy and Marine Corps helicopters were involved. Each ship could produce around 90,000 US gallons of fresh water per day. Other ships in the group were amphibious transport dock Duluth, the guided-missile destroyer Milius, the dock landing ship Rushmore, the guided-missile frigate Thach, the nuclear-powered submarine Pasadena, guided-missile cruiser Bunker Hill, and the coast guard cutter Douglas Munro.
Sri Lankan relief workers unload vegetables
The US Navy also deployed the Mercy, a 1,000-bed hospital ship (initially staffed to support 250 patient beds). Other logistics ships were also employed such as the combat stores ships San Jose and Niagara Falls.
In January 2005, 24 Navy ships and one Coast Guard vessel were in the area. Among those ships was the amphibious assault ship USS Fort Mchenry (LSD43), USS Essex (LHD-2) which relieved the Bonhomme Richard, and assumed the duties as the primary rotary wing platform for the operation. USS Essex (LHD-2) also brought helicopter detachments. The last ship, USS Mercy, departed the region in April 2005.
Indonesian public opinion of the United States markedly improved in the year after the tsunami, jumping from 15% in 2003 to 38% in 2005, going against the general trend of less favorable attitudes towards America in that time period.[1] Many Indonesians surveyed indicated that American relief efforts generally improved their view of the United States.[2]
