Combined support force refines relief efforts Published Jan. 11, 2005 By Samantha L. Quigley American Forces Press Service UTAPAO, Thailand (AFPN) -- Relief efforts continue in the Southeast Asian region devastated by the Dec. 26 earthquake and resulting tsunamis.Water-production facilities are being established in Indonesia in coordination with host government officials, said Marine Lt. Col. Robert Krieg, lead future-operations planner for Combined Support Force 536.Five C-130 Hercules have arrived at Banda Aceh with an Air Force mobility support team to organize an airport ramp area. That is one of the critical things needed at Banda Aceh, Colonel Krieg said."It's a small airfield," he said. "We're trying to put a lot of supplies through there. Many nations are trying to put supplies through there."The U.S. Navy pre-positioning ship MV Pless, with the capability to offload fresh water, is off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Operations have not begun, but the ship is standing by should the Indonesian government make such a request. The USS Duluth also arrived in the area and is ferrying supplies to shore via amphibious landing craft.Teams also have begun clearing debris from affected areas in Sri Lanka. At least 150 metric tons of debris was cleared from the roads. Some debris was deposited to reconstruct the sea wall and some was taken to a Sri Lankan landfill.Pulau Simeule, a small island about 60 miles off the coast of Indonesia, is getting new attention. Sailors on the USS Bonhomme Richard are delivering supplies to the 1,000-person island.Numbers continue to grow with the relief efforts. Colonel Krieg said 850 sorties have been flown since the beginning of operations, moving 46,000 gallons of fresh water, 4,009 pounds of food and 775,000 pounds of supplies. They have also moved 153 injured people, he said.