Navy deploying Coronado-based sailors to Gaza coast

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- U.S. Navy sailors based out of Coronado are being deployed to build a discharge facility off the coast of Gaza in an effort to deliver humanitarian aid.

This comes after President Biden called on the military to conduct the emergency operation during his State of the Union Address earlier this month.

“I’m directing the U.S. Military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments," said President Biden.

Approximately 260 sailors from Naval Beach Group 1 -- based at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado -- are being deployed to Gaza to build a large floating dock known as a roll on, roll off discharge facility.

This project is part of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) Mission being led by the Army's 7th Transportation Brigade from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

The dock constructed by the U.S. Navy will be about 72 feet wide, 270 feet long, and will be located about 3 miles off the coast of Gaza. It will allow cargo ships to unload aid shipments at sea before they are transported to the Trident Pier.

An Army unit will be constructing the Trident Pier – an 1,800-foot causeway made up of modular sections linked together, where cargo will be transported to shore.

In addition to the construction of the dock, the Navy will also be operating ferries to transport aid shipments from the dock to the Army’s Trident Pier.

Once the dock and pier have been constructed, they will be capable of delivering up to 2 million humanitarian aid meals per day.

In a statement from the U.S. Navy, a Naval Surface Force Spokesperson said, “The Navy will deploy Naval Beach Group 1, with elements from Amphibious Construction Battalion 1, Assault Craft Unit 1, and Beachmaster Unit 1 and Augmented by Assault Craft Unit 2 and the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Force in support of Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS).”

U.S. Officials say there will be no boots on the ground in Gaza as part of the operation.
In addition to deploying units to build the temporary dock and pier, the U.S. continues to carry out a sustained series of humanitarian assistance air drops into Gaza.

The dock is expected to be operational in approximately 60 days.