WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii (USTCNS) --- The 599th Transportation Group under the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command was designated by the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) today to serve as the single port manager to offload critical supplies supporting tsunami relief efforts in Thailand.

The 599th will oversee all operations at the Port of Laem Chabang as six ships from the Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three begin delivery of humanitarian-assistance and disaster-relief supplies.

The 599th Deployment and Distribution Support Team, which leaves for Thailand Wednesday, is led by Army Lt. Col. Drefus Lane. Under his direction, the team will ensure the timely offload and transport of goods for use by members of Joint Task Force 536 stationed in areas of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Sumatra.

Additionally, the 599th DDST will use radio frequency identification tag technology to provide strategic status information of the distribution process to JTF 536 commander, Marine Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman.

The 599th Team is comprised of individuals leaving from Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, 599th Transportation Group subordinate battalions, as well as members who are currently deployed supporting operations for the 595th Transportation Group (Provisional), Southwest Asia.
The group provides deployment command and control, and supports surface distribution operations throughout the PACOM Area of Operations.

Additional information sites:
http://www.pacom.mil/special/0412asia/index.shtml
http://sddc-www.hi.pac.army.mil/