USTRANSCOM leads world-wide delivery of humanitarian cargo under Denton program

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- U.S. Transportation Command, and its component commands, deliver humanitarian cargo to all corners of the world following disasters and emergencies --- anyone with a television set has no doubt seen such deliveries.

What is seen less often, however, is movement of humanitarian cargo in support of on-going relief and development projects that are not a result of disaster relief.

"The Denton Program is a Department of Defense logistics program that transports humanitarian cargo, donated by non-governmental organizations, to developing nations," said Calvin Densmore, USTRANSCOM, Denton program manager.

In 1985, Congress, led by then-Sen. Jeremiah A. Denton, created a Department of Defense logistics program that transports Department of State/US Agency for International Development-approved, privately donated humanitarian cargo worldwide by land, sea and air on a space-available basis within the Defense Transportation System.

The program, which now moves cargo, commonly named Denton cargo, is jointly administered by USAID, the State Department, and DOD.

USTRANSCOM has operational oversight of the program, and contracts to Joint Relief International at Charleston AFB, S.C. to coordinate the operational aspects of the program.

"One only has to enter the web address, http://214.3.17.158/J3/denton/denton.htm, to get complete instructions on policy and procedures for entering donated cargo into the Denton Humanitarian Program," said Densmore.

Potential Denton program donors must demonstrate the following:

· There is a legitimate need for the supplies by the people for whom they are intended
· That the supplies will in fact be used for humanitarian purposes
· The beneficiaries are capable of using the donated commodities safely
· It must be in usable condition

Denton program movements have included medical/dental supplies, school supplies, furniture, vehicles, agricultural supplies, clothing, machinery, and vocational/training equipment.

A wide range of items have been accepted into the program.

"At Charleston AFB, S.C., there are three fire trucks that have been donated by Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, Inc., that are waiting for lift to Nicaragua," said Densmore. "Once entered into the system, we have up to one year to ship them to their final destination."

Denton cargo is moved to destinations abroad where the U.S. military is permitted to transport and where there are adequate off-load capabilities.

Donors are responsible for ensuring the cargo is in an acceptable condition for transportation.

DOD is responsible for on-loading the cargo onto the aircraft at the port of departure. Donors are responsible for providing transportation to and from the ports of debarkation.

A minimum of 2,000 pounds and a maximum of 100,000 pounds is permitted for individual Denton cargo movements.

Prospective donors must contact USAID to determine whether the program may be undertaken in the destination country.

For more information contact Dana Alzouma, USAID Denton program officer, (703) 741-0563 or Calvin J. Densmore, USTRANSCOM, (618)-229-1669, DSN: 779-1669.