Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray (left) and U.S. Commander Timothy LaBenz survey damage, 2016
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Photograph by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bryan Jackson

While en route to participate in the International Naval Review commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Royal New Zealand Navy, the crew of the USS Sampson supported earthquake recovery efforts. Several other American ships diverted their paths to support the relief effort and evacuate citizens, and the United States also dispatched aircraft to conduct surveys of damaged areas.

U.S. Navy/Released