Bataan ARG helo flights begin over Haiti - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Bataan ARG helo flights begin over Haiti

ABOARD THE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP BATAAN — The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group arrived in Haiti on Monday and got to work identifying helicopter landing spots and beaches that could accommodate the Bataan’s air-cushioned landing craft.

“We started in Port-au-Prince and moved west along the main road through the towns of Carrefour to Leogane conducting an aerial reconnaissance,” said Lt. Col. Rob Fulford, commanding officer of Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, which will provide security for any landing zones.

Fulford was looking to assess the damage in the areas west of Port-au-Prince while identifying suitable helicopter landing zones and beaches.

“We confirmed three possible helicopter landing sites and identified two beach landing sites with good access to the roads and the towns,” Fulford said. “The good news is the main road looks open from Leogane to Port-au-Prince — with the exception of one small bridge — and traffic is moving east and west.”

He said these roads are key to “allowing us to focus our efforts and get the vehicles and equipment off the ships and commence distribution of aid and relief supplies.”

More coverage on the relief effort in Haiti