22nd MEU assists relief agencies in Haiti

01.29.2010

Story by Capt. Clark Carpenter 

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

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ABOARD USS BATAAN — Since getting the order to deploy in support of earthquake relief operations two weeks ago, Marines and Sailors from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit transitioned from conducting immediate relief operations, to a sustained operation combining a network of sea-based logistics and land-based support with approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors on the ground.

In the early stages of relief operations, Marines focused on getting medical support, food and water ashore to those who needed it the most. The Marines were tasked to focus on the area west of Port Au Prince, specifically, Leogane, Petit Goave, Grand Goave and Carrefour. In Leogane, nearly every structure had been destroyed by the massive earthquake that rocked the country on Jan. 12.

"The early stages of the operation were important because we developed relationships with our U.N. counterparts, coordinated our operations with the Joint Task Force, conducted reconnaissance and determined the areas of most immediate need," said 22nd MEU Executive Officer, Lt. Col. Danny Verda. "We began relief efforts in earnest in partnership with our U.N. security counterparts, the Department of State, USAID and other relief organizations."

While Navy personnel of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Mission searched for suitable beach landing sites to support an immense influx of sea-based supplies and logistics, the Marines identified landing zones that would facilitate the influx of food and water delivered by sea-based aviation assets. The design was to provide immediate aid to stabilize the situation on the ground, said Verda.

Critical to the success of the initial influx of aid from the sea was a partnership with the United Nations. While the Marines provided secure landing zones ashore, the U.N. and other non-governmental organizations provided logistics lift to move and distribute supplies the Leogane area.

CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced) and Navy MH-53 helicopters launched from USS Bataan and Carl Vinson moved tons of supplies ashore and the effect was encouraging.

"The impact was immediately seen on the ground, improving the dire situation for the Haitian people," said Capt. Michael T. Aldridge, Officer in Charge of the civil affairs team attached to the 22nd MEU. "There is no question that the extraordinary efforts to get critical supplies and medical care into Haiti saved lives."

While supplies were flowing from the air, Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 22 were looking for a suitable area to establish a humanitarian assistance site. The chosen location would need a landing zone and have access to the sea. A walled-in school compound in Petit Goave surrounded by mango trees, white buildings and a lone baobab tree was selected.

"Things have drastically improved since establishing this site," said Capt. Amy Upton, operations officer for CLB-22 and native of Spotsylvania, Va. "We are facilitating distribution at several sites identified by the local leaders, we are producing more than 10,000 gallons of water a day and providing basic needs to include food and health services. We're also reaching out to the community to restore wells and assess sites where we can construct shelter for those displaced by the earthquake."

At the site each day in Petit Goave, local leaders and non-governmental agencies meet with the Marines in the morning, identify daily needs and support is coordinated. Marines may provide security at a distribution point, move supplies with their 7-ton trucks or facilitate medical care for injured residents. According to CLB-22 Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Gary Keim, the Marines are enabling relief organizations and non-governmental agencies to continue to provide care for the Haitian people while the relief agencies establish a more robust presence and the ability to provide logistics to sustain their operations.

Marines from Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd MEU, have provided security for landing zones, established a civil-military operations center, established distribution sites and provided security. Three companies of Marines are distributed across the MEU's area of operations. BLT maintains three positions — two in Leogane and one Grand Goave.

Every evening in Grand Goave, the Marines from Weapons Company hold a town hall meeting with non-governmental agencies and local leaders to determine how the Marines can best facilitate and enable relief operations in the area. Similarly, at the CMOC established in Leogane, local leaders and non-governmental agencies meet with Lt. Col. Robert Fulford, the commanding officer of BLT 3/2, and discuss operations for the day.

"Our operations ashore have demonstrated the responsiveness and versatility of the Navy/Marine Corps Team," said Providence, R.I., native Maj. Matthew Lundgren, operations officer for BLT 3/2. "The hard work of the Marines and sailors has enabled local leadership to gain momentum in establishing an enduring solution to the issues facing the Haitian people after the earthquake."

In New American Mission near Pandou, a contingent of Marines were scheduled to conduct a military outreach mission to Africa but were diverted in support of Haiti relief operations, established a presence ashore to coordinate with non-governmental agencies and local leadership to support relief efforts. Known as Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 10, the force of 130 Marines established a distribution hub at the mission. Supplies flow into the hub from the sea and the Marines from the SCMAGTF use their 7-ton trucks and humvees to distribute the supplies to pre-established distribution points throughout the city. According to Maj. Marc H. Foster, the liaison officer with the SCMAGTF, the unit was well-prepared for this mission.

"Our unit consists of volunteers from throughout the Marine Corps who were planning to support a goodwill mission to Africa," said Foster, an artillery officer by trade and native of Washington, D.C. "This shows how flexible an amphibious force can be — we able to shift focus, respond rapidly and get aid where it's need the most in a matter of days."

Since arriving, the MEU has produced 26,171 gallons of water, helped distribute 705,236 pounds of rations, nearly 200,000 bottles of water and 1,000 pound of medical supplies. Teams ashore have facilitated medical evacuations to USS Bataan and corpsmen and doctors have provided treatment for more than 50 Haitians.

The ships of the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission and embarked elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived off the coast of Haiti Jan. 18 to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief for earthquake survivors and bolster relief operations already underway in support of Operation Unified Response.

The MEU received the order to deploy Jan. 13. Comprised of heavy-lift and utility helicopters, trucks and humvees, assault amphibian vehicles and logistics capabilities to include water purification and limited medical support, the 22nd MEU will further enhance humanitarian relief efforts ashore.

The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission-capable force comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its command element.

In addition to Bataan, the Amphibious Ready Mission also includes USS Carter Hall, USS Fort McHenry, USS Gunston Hall and detachments from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron 15, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team 8, Assault Craft Unit 4 and Beachmaster Unit 2.