Haiti. U.S. Navy Second Fleet Responds Quickly

NORFOLK, Va. - Balancing U.S. global commitments with urgent needs, Commander, U.S. Second Fleet Vice Adm. Mel Williams Jr. mobilized 30 percent of the forces under Second Fleet's cognizance within 18 days, between Jan. 2 and Jan. 20.

This massive effort, generated in response to the severe earthquake that occurred in Haiti, included Second Fleet's other commitments to provide ready forces to combatant commanders worldwide. Forty-five ships, submarines and squadrons, including a force of approximately 27,000 Sailors and Marines, have deployed.

During this period, three carrier strike groups (CSGs) have gotten underway, including: the Eisenhower CSG, departing on a regularly-scheduled deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation; the Carl Vinson CSG, which deployed from Norfolk for its scheduled homeport shift to San Diego, and was subsequently assigned to support the Haiti relief effort; and the Harry S. Truman CSG, which is currently underway for a training exercise. In addition, the commanders of the George H.W. Bush CSG and Enterprise CSG have been given temporary command assignments in direct support of Haiti relief efforts.

Between Jan. 14 and Jan. 18, seven amphibious ships, including two complete Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs), were deployed, along with their associated Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs).

These forces included: The Bataan ARG/22nd MEU, which was surged to participate in the Haiti relief effort; the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), which was en route for a deployment to Africa Partnership Station, but was ordered to proceed to Haiti, and the Nassau ARG/24th MEU, which deployed from Norfolk for a regularly-scheduled deployment, and was recently reassigned to support the Haiti relief effort. In addition, the deputy commander and several staff members of Expeditionary Strike Group Two have been assigned to U.S. Southern Command to support the Haiti relief effort.

Two smaller combatant ships, the guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) and the guided missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) were deployed to support initial Haiti relief efforts.

Supplementing these forces, more than 2,500 Sailors from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces Atlantic, Military Sealift Command, and the Second Fleet Maritime Headquarters have deployed for temporary assignment in support of the Haiti relief effort.

The Navy is responding to the most urgent needs of the Haitian people in support of the joint, interagency and international effort.

Supporting civil authorities with capabilities that can help stabilize and improve the situation in the wake of natural and man-made disasters is a core Navy mission.

(Source:Defpro.com, January 21, 2010)

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