Match, Move, and Maneuver

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division
Published Sept. 23, 2017
ATLANTA, GA – Sandy Berens of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Logistics Planning and Response Team (LPRT) is a part of a crew of ten logisticians from all over the United States. The team based here is working with FEMA and the ESTES freight transportation provider to match, move and maneuver empty trailers, on September 19, 2017. These empty trailers are then filled with commodities by FEMA to support and sustain the lives of those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and now Maria.

ATLANTA, GA – Sandy Berens of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Logistics Planning and Response Team (LPRT) is a part of a crew of ten logisticians from all over the United States. The team based here is working with FEMA and the ESTES freight transportation provider to match, move and maneuver empty trailers, on September 19, 2017. These empty trailers are then filled with commodities by FEMA to support and sustain the lives of those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and now Maria.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Logistics Planning and Response Team (LPRT) has a crew of ten logisticians from all over the United States. The team based here is working with FEMA and the ESTES freight transportation provider to match, move and maneuver empty trailers.

These empty trailers are then filled with commodities by FEMA to support and sustain the lives of those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and now Maria. 

 “Our main goal here is bringing in the empty trucks that have been dropping off their material for supporting the hurricanes,” says Christopher Tuggle, materials handler and warehouse manager from the Corps Kansas City District.

 This joint effort of moving commodities to areas in need of disaster relief has not happened since 2013, Hurricane Sandy. FEMA and USACE work hand in hand when it comes to disaster relief and support, so when the mission for the staging and movement of these large vehicles manifested, FEMA knew who to contact.

 “We worked a successful mission with FEMA five years ago for Hurricane Sandy, and FEMA remembered the team” notes Clifford Steele of the Logistics Management Office, Savannah District. “They called us up and within a few days we had our first lot opened and on that day we had over 150 trucks lined up all the way to the interstate. We now have two lots, and we are supporting this ongoing relief effort.”

 The LPRT Team, have been traveling and supporting one relief effort after another they are dedicated members of the Corps, and their FEMA and ESTES counterparts. The crew estimates over Three-thousand vehicles are to pass thru both yards in a 60-120 day cycle.

 This mission is one of the many operations that the corps plays a major role in with more than 450 USACE personnel that are engaged and operation in coordination with county, state, and FEMA partners. Our number one priority continues to be the life, health, and safety of all people affected by Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Tractors are constantly moving in and out of the lots, for maximum visual effect a majority of the tractors arrive in the morning at about 0700. This operation will continue through out the month of October 2017.

Contact: - (410) 300-3655 or (404) 562-5011

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division