2,000 US troops being diverted to Haiti; total to reach 16,000

JPost ^ | 1-21-10 | AP via JPOST

[Tigen]

The Defense Department is ordering another 2,000 US Marines to Haiti, diverting troops that were on their way to the Gulf and Africa.

[Tigen]

16,000 are expected by week's end.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Dixie Yooper]

How long did it take to commit 30,000 to Afghanistan?

[growingpains]

I’m all for helping other nations, but Obama sends troops immediately after an earthquake, but took MONTHS to decide to send troops to help out our own men and women in Afghanistan. The blood of every man who died in that time is on his shoulders. Shame on Him.

[Sacajaweau]

We’re the best and most capable and we’re close by. They’re needed NOW...and that’s the way it is. They won’t be there long.

[Dixie Yooper]

Why aren’t we sending 16,000 ACORN troops instead?

[Rennes Templar]

I think it’s a travesty that the punk Castro has ruled our neighbor island for so long. Let the invasion begin! Kick the bum out!

[ladyvet]

If it’s making our guys mission anywhere else more difficult...it’s wrong.

[Caipirabob]

Obama is an excellent President - of Haiti.

Thing is we need one here.

[Frantzie]

Total joke. Thanks to the liberal newsmedia spewing stories of heartbreak we end up owning Haiti. The media pulled the same crap with Somalia. Let the UN handle it. The USA is broke - bankrupt.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Source for Navy News

   

	100118-N-6764G-102 NORFOLK (Jan. 18, 2010) The amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) deploys as part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Goodwin/Released)
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Nassau ARG, 24th MEU Bound for Haiti
Story Number: NNS100121-02
1/21/2010

By Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the USS Nassau (LHA 4) Amphibious Ready Group (NAS ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) received orders Jan. 19 to deploy to Haiti to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions.

The NAS ARG departed Norfolk Jan. 18 for a regularly scheduled deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility, but the NAS ARG has been ordered to proceed to Haiti after completing its onload of Marines from the 24th MEU in Morehead City, N.C. The decision to divert the NAS ARG/24th MEU from its planned deployment was made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen based on continuing urgent needs in the Haiti relief effort.

The NAS ARG is composed of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship Nassau, the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Fort Story, Va.

The NAS ARG is commanded by Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8, which includes the Nassau, Ashland, Mesa Verde and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28.

The 24th MEU includes Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 24; and its command element.

The NAS ARG/24th MEU provides combatant commanders with a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response options in maritime, littoral and inland environments in support of U.S. policy. The ARG/24th MEU will provide an array of helicopter and amphibious landing craft assets, significantly increasing the ability to quickly provide relief supplies where they are most needed. In addition, the Marines assigned to the 24th MEU will be able to provide an additional force capable of providing a secure environment for the ongoing relief efforts ashore in Haiti.

An amphibious ready group traditionally deploys with robust medical capabilities, and the NAS ARG/24 MEU is no exception. The medical personnel and facilities aboard the three ARG ships will join the medical efforts already in place in the region to provide vital medical treatment to those in need in Haiti.

The addition of the NAS ARG/24 MEU brings the total number of U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command ships participating in the relief effort to 20, along with their associated Marine Corps units. These forces include:

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
USS Bataan (LHD 5)
USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44)
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
USS Carter Hall (LSD 50)
USS Normandy (CG 60)
USS Underwood (FFG 36)
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU 22)
USS Nassau (LHD 4)
USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)
USS Ashland (LSD 48)
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU 24)
USS Higgins (DDG 76)
USS Bunker Hill (CG 52)
USNS Comfort (T-AH 20)
USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51)
USNS Henson (T-AGS-63)
USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2)
USNS Sumner (T-AGS-61)
USNS 1st LT Jack Lummus (T-AK 3011)
USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams (T-AK 3009)
USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198)

Navy units supporting this effort are under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO). As the Navy component command of U.S. Southern Command, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Routine operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c2f/.

http://www.navy.mil/search/print.asp?story_id=50666&VIRIN=80144&imagetype=1&page=1

[silverleaf]

excellent comment. Some of those troops have been diverted from “the Persian Gulf” to the killing fields of Haiti

When did US Congress approve establishing a new US military base on Haiti?

I guess the UN is out of the picture since there are no 5 star hotels to stay in

I still contend that the faith communities and NGO’s will reach more people, more quickly, with better long term effect than every US troop hunkered down behind piles of supplies surrounded by barbed wire

[homegroan]

“How long did it take to commit 30,000 to Afghanistan? “

About 100 games of golf.

[homegroan]

My brother in law is getting ready to go to Afghanistan. He said he would rather go THERE then go to Haiti...or even go back to Iraq!

The violence is being under-reported by the drive-bys.

[TADSLOS]

What are they going to do, exactly? The current news is that USAID is telling the military there to stop distributing food to Haitians. What’s next, they won’t be allowed to do re-construction either because it will make USAID and the UN look bad?

[silverleaf]

at least in Afghanisatn the CIA is using drones to preemptively terminate some of the bad guys

and sometimes, the Army is even allowed to kill some, too, if the bad guys shoot first and miss

In Haiti it sounds like obama’s ROE is for the US Army to walk around unarmed, handing out flowers and baby bottles and singing kumbaya to looters and gangs

[homegroan]

He said the Army going to Haiti is armed to the teeth; he’s a computer guy and they won’t send him in until it’s somewhat safe. But he was shocked at the weapons going with his buds. Said it is absolute chaos-violent chaos there and at least in the MidEast, you know what to expect, who’s who etc.

[silverleaf]

Unfortunately, just a matter of time until a group of our troops is ambushed Somali-style by screaming Haitians

another obama war.

Gates, WTH are you?

Hello Colin Powell? Where are you? Giving military advice to your transformative president?

I have a real bad feeling about this, why is General Honore confined to being a CNN commentator?

[screaminsunshine]

Obviously...Obama is busy cutting deals and contracts with his buddies for the “re building” Of Port-Au-Prince. Billions are changing hands as we speak. The Loot will be plentiful.

[homegroan]

I agree with you-that $100 million is going to be a Demo slush fund and O will have his OWN country. THAT is what is holding up all of the help. He is negotiating.

Or maybe the $100M would just be for Michy-O’s couture shopping sprees; a shoe account?

[TADSLOS]

I have a real bad feeling about this, why is General Honore confined to being a CNN commentator?

He's too busy selling the idea to move Haitians to Louisiana.