Marines Arrive Ashore in Haiti

Filed under DoD News, Operation Unified Response-Haiti by on January 20, 2010 at 9:27 am {2 comments}



22nd MEU Public Affairs, LEOGAND, HAITI — Approximately 125 Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit came ashore near Leogand, Haiti yesterday beginning relief operations in a pasture that is now being used as a landing zone for helicopters loaded with supplies. The Marines launched from the USS Bataan aboard CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopters and UH-1N Hueys, aircraft that are part of the MEU’s Aviation Combat Element, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced).

The Marines quickly established security in the landing zone which was the home to a handful of emaciated horses, who seemed unaware of the devastation that had occurred only one week before.

The first helicopter touched down just before noon and shortly after, relief supplies began flowing. Collapsible water containers and bottled water were the first supplies delivered by the MEU.

(more…)

Haiti Quake: Marines Prepare to Deploy to Haiti for Relief Effort

Filed under Bloggers Roundtable, Operation Unified Response-Haiti by on January 15, 2010 at 12:04 pm {no comments}

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is preparing for an upcoming deployment to Haiti to participate in relief efforts.

“The morale is off the charts and we are absolutely ready to go down there. Marines are definitely warriors first but we are equally compassionate and want to reach out a helping hand to those that need it,” U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Clark Carpenter, public affairs officer, for the MEU told bloggers this morning during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable.

He told the bloggers that two days ago they got the call to begin prudent planning and immediately went in to action getting organized for this mission. The focus of will be providing relief to Haitian people and the team is preparing to bring helicopters, trucks, earth moving equipment, water purification systems and a contingent of marines.

Carpenter said they are prepared to do anything from humanitarian relief to combat operations. “We come as a multi-mission force; we are looking at more of a relief effort but are capable of providing more if neccesary.”

The unit recently returned from a seven-month deployment but Carpenter said the the unit is prepared to be down there as long as they are asked.

The MEU is also well equipped to provide additional landing ports to provide relief from the airport in Haiti and have a robust capability so they can move supplies by sea or helicopter.

They unit also put out a call for Marines to serve as interpreters so that they can effectively help as many people as possible. “We will be able to bridge the language gap,” he said. “Providing aid and relief is an international language, we will be able to provide for them.”

The unit is prepared for this mission having rehearsed mass casualties and disaster training and are well trained and well equipped for the mission ahead.

“We have to get down there to ease the human suffering,” Carpenter said. “We are going to show the face of compassion not only for Marines and Sailors but for the United States.”

Joining us on the call were Andrew Lubin, http://themilitaryobserver.com; Richard Lowry, www.themarinesinthegardenofeden.com; Jim Lubin, www.blog.usni.org; Bruce Henderson, Leo Shane III, http://blogs.stripes.com/blogs/stripes-central; Chuck Simmins, www.northshorejournal.org; Dale Kissinger, www.militaryavenue.com; Chris Albon, http://warandhealth.com; Taylor Kiland, www.examiner.com; David Axe, www.warisboring.com; Paul McLeary, www.aviationweek.com; and Beth Wilson, www.homefrontinfocus.com.

To view a transcript from this roundtable, click here.

To listen to the roundtable, click here.

To view an article from this interview, click here.

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: 22nd MEU Deployment to Haiti

Filed under Bloggers Roundtable, Operation Unified Response-Haiti by on January 15, 2010 at 10:44 am {one comment}

On Friday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. ET we interviewed U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Clark Carpenter, public affairs officer with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) . Capt. Clark discussed the MEU’s upcoming deployment to Haiti to participate in relief operations and getting the unit embarked and underway.

To listen to this roundtable, click here.

To view a transcript from this article, click here.

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