Gators deliver Marines, aid to Haiti - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Gators deliver Marines, aid to Haiti

LEOGANE, Haiti — About 120 Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, landed via helicopters in Haiti on Tuesday morning, securing a landing zone and a water distribution point in this town west of Port-au-Prince.

Marines created a perimeter here, with hundreds of Haitians watching just a few feet away. U.S. troops also linked up with U.N. officials in the area.

The Marines, flying aboard CH-53E Super Stallions with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, came in from the amphibious assault ship Bataan, which arrived with the other ships of its amphibious ready group Monday.

The flights began just before 10 a.m., and by 12:20 p.m., the last helicopter landed in Haiti.

“We were warmly welcomed by the locals. They were supportive, and exchanged greetings. We provided them with food and water. Indeed the maritime relief support to Haiti is now well underway,” said Capt. Thomas Negus, commanding officer of the Bataan ARG, on the ship’s official Facebook page.

Another amphibious ship that arrived with Bataan, the dock landing ship Gunston Hall, sent small boats to deliver food and medicine to a Haitian coast guard station, according to a Navy announcement.

“The ship provided rice, dry spaghetti, bottled water and other dry goods, as well as approximately $20,000 worth of much-needed medical supplies to organizations already providing care. Some of the material included thermometers, surgical lights, syringes, medications and bandages,” according to the Navy.

More coverage on the relief effort in Haiti