SDDC unit to manage tsunami relief distribution at Laem Chabang port

SDDC unit to manage tsunami relief distribution at Laem Chabang port    The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Command has appointed the 599th Transportation Group under the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command as its single port manager to offload supplies to support tsunami relief efforts in Thailand.
   The 599th will manage all operations in the Port of Laem Chanbang as six ships from the Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron III begin delivery of humanitarian aid. The goods will be made available to members of the Joint Task Force 536 stationed in areas of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Sumatra.
   Additionally, the 599th will use radio frequency identification tag technology to provide status information throughout the distribution process to the U.S. military’s top aid director Marine Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman.
   The 599th Transportation Command, which departed for Thailand Wednesday, is based at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii.