An Analysis of U.S. Navy Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations

Abstract

This project investigates the response of the U.S. Navy (USN) and Military Sealift Command (MSC) to different types of natural disasters and identifies the types of assets deployed as well as the dwell times for those assets. Using the recent history of USN humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, we explore opportunities to shape the fleet force structure to adapt to the increased mission importance of HADR operations, and we identify current hard power assets that may be effective in achieving soft power goals. By analyzing disaster characteristics and USN platform capabilities, we can determine which assets are better suited for mission requirements brought on by disasters. Knowing the best possible asset to assign to a disaster will improve the DoD's effectiveness in regaining stability, both monetarily and logistically, within the affected region when disasters occur. Further, understanding which assets are better suited for disaster response will help the USN make future force structure and fleet composition decisions.