Hampden County soldier deployed for humanitarian aid mission in Gaza

HOLLAND, Mass. (WWLP) – Growing up in the town of Holland, 25-year-old Hagan Schutz was always in the water. It was no surprise that when he made the decision to join the U.S. Army that he would become a coxswain, piloting a vessel and spending all his time on the water.

From the Hamilton Reservoir in Holland to the Mediterranean Sea, U.S. Army Sgt. Schutz is assigned to the 331st Transportation Company, 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) which has been deployed to support the U.S. humanitarian aid mission in Gaza. Part of their mission is to maintain a temporary pier that will allow trucks to drive directly off of ships to distribution centers in Gaza.

As a modular warping tug coxswain, Sgt. Schutz is responsible for navigating new waters, assembling sections of the Trident Pier and ensuring the safety of six Soldiers aboard his craft.

“It can be stressful, especially during some of our recent situations,” said Schutz. “Ultimately I have to trust that everyone aboard knows their jobs and their responsibilities, and that makes my job a whole lot easier.”

This mission will be a lot of “firsts” for Sgt. Schutz, but he is ready for the challenge.

“To be in a combat area is a different experience than I ever expected,” he said. “It’s definitely taught me to persevere with all the stuff we’ve been through. It’s been hard, but it teaches me to be a bit stronger and keep pushing through.”

Sgt. Schutz will rely on his training, fellow Soldiers and his love for the water to get through the mission.

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