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Originally Posted by Norton The USS Essex is an amphibious assault ship and the HMS Westminster is a frigate. The Westminster could play no role in delivery of supplies as they have no storage capacity. The Essex has helicopters and could be used to airlift supplies to remote areas but it is a ship designed and armed specifically for amphibious assault |
Norton...the USS Essex is designed for three things.
1. The safe delivery of Marines to the theater of conflict.
2. The rapid insertion of Marine forces via amphibious and airborne assault.
3. The coordinated resupply of the forces material requirements during the assault phase and the initial occupation phase.
The USS Essex could put a TONS of supplies down in a few hours with a little help from Thailand. Fly the AV-8's off to Thailand and use the deck space for more helos.
Use Thai helo to fly in the supplies to Essex, then use the heavy lift helos on the Essex to deliver the supplies where they are needed the most.
US Navy personel can look after the Thai helos as well as their own to maximize flight hours on the airframes.
Politically, for Myamar it will look like Thailand is using American resources to help their Asian brothers in this crisis. It makes Thailand look good and it puts the American help in the background while giving help to those in need.