US military spins up humanitarian aid for Haiti

Two Coast Guard 270-foot cutters sit offshore from Haiti, Jan, 13, 2010, ready to provide humanitarian aid to the country devastated by a 7.0 magnitute earthquake. Coast Guard personnel have been mobilized to provide support. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter transports an injured American to U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Jan.13, 2010. The injured is one of four Americans from the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, brought to the Naval Station to receive medical care for traumatic injuries sustained in the earthquake that struck the region. The victims were stabilized by hospital personnel before they were medically evacuated to the U.S. for further treatment. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Bill Mesta.

A U.S. Southern Command assessment team boards a C-130 Hercules aircraft in Miami, Jan. 13, 2010, en route to Haiti to support U.S. relief efforts there following the massive earthquake that devastated the Caribbean nation. The team will work with U.S. embassy personnel as well as Haitian, United Nations and international officials to assess the situation and facilitate follow up with U.S. military support. U.S. Navy photo byTech. Sgt. Santita Mitchell.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Jan 13, 2010) SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters assigned to Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 7 depart Naval Air Station Jacksonville to embark aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) en route to Haiti. The squadron and several Navy vessels are underway to render humanitarian assistance after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gary B. Granger Jr./Released.

LITTLE CREEK, Va. (Jan. 13, 2009) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Jonathan McNeil directs the loading of supplies aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43). Fort McHenry and several Navy vessels are underway to render humanitarian assistance after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Martie/Released.

Staff Sgt. David Skipalis processes through a mobility line Jan. 13, 2010, at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Wing are part of a humanitarian relief mission to Haiti. Sergeant Skipalis is assigned to the 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Loken.

Vinson Deploys to Respond to Haiti Earthquake

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) has been ordered to deploy to Haiti to conduct Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) missions Jan. 13. Currently, Vinson is underway in the Atlantic Ocean, and will briefly loiter off the coast of Mayport to receive equipment and supplies.

Along with Vinson, USS Bataan (LHD 5) embarked with Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU 22), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) were ordered to get underway as soon as possible. Additionally, USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Underwood (FFG 36) and USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) will deploy from their homeports and stand ready to assist, while USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), homeported in Baltimore, Md., is preparing to get underway, if required.

A Navy P-3 Orion aircraft from the Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 detachment operating from Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa, El Salvador, took off early this morning to conduct aerial surveys of the area affected by the earthquake.

USS Higgins (DDG 76) based out of Naval Station San Diego will arrive on station off the coast of Haiti tomorrow to provide afloat logistical services for the Coast Guard helicopters.

Over 100 Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne will deploy mid afternoon today and the entire battalion along with a 2nd Brigade Combat Team Command & Control Element, approximately 800 Soldiers, are scheduled to deploy tomorrow.

The U.S. Southern Command is also considering the deployment of a large-deck amphibious ship with a 2,000-member Marine expeditionary unit.