By Continuing Promise 2008 Public Affairs

USS KEARSARGE, At Sea – USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) continued its support of disaster relief efforts in Haiti Sept. 11, launching five helicopters and three landing craft vessels to deliver aid to remote communities suffering in the aftermath of recent storms.

Overall, the Kearsarge mission in Haiti has delivered an estimated 350 metric tons of relief supplies in addition to 1,500 gallons of water.

The Caribbean nation was hit hard by tropical storms Fay, Gustav and Hanna and then again by Hurricane Ike, leaving eight of Haiti’s 10 geographic departments flooded, destroying bridges and roads and leaving residents desperate for aid.

On the fourth day of operations, pilots from Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) Squadron 464 flew relief missions to Gonaives, Les Cayes and Port de Paix, delivering approximately 85 metric tons of pre-packaged food such as flour, beans, rice and high-energy biscuits from the World Food Program, as well as hygiene kits from the United Nations Population Fund.

Kearsarge also continued to send volunteer working parties to Port-au-Prince to assist in loading and unloading supplies. 

“This is truly a team effort,” said Kearsarge´s commanding officer, Capt. Walter Towns. 

“Everyone from the craftmasters, helicopter pilots, flight deck and well deck crews to the unsung heroes on the working parties carry hundreds of pounds of food and water supplies,” he said.  “They do it all without complaint because they know their efforts are saving lives.”

On Sept. 5, U.S. Southern Command directed Commander, Fourth Fleet to divert the amphibious ship from its humanitarian/civic assistance mission in Colombia to assist in the relief efforts in Haiti following destruction caused by Hanna and the threat of Hurricane Ike.

The capabilities of Kearsarge include the fast movement of personnel and cargo by helicopter and landing craft vessels, making it the ideal platform to support urgent humanitarian relief missions.

Embarked pilots from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 and Helicopter Combat Squardon 28, Detachment 5, have flown a combined 28 missions into the country to deliver supplies. Personnel from Assault Craft Unit 2 have launched landing craft utility vessels daily, sending supplies and personnel ashore.

Kearsarge is in the Caribbean supporting phase two of Continuing Promise 2008, a humanitarian assistance mission that includes assisting partner nations impacted by natural disasters and other emergencies resulting in human suffering or danger to human lives.

Any U.S. military assistance to a foreign nation must be requested by the host nation through the U.S. ambassador. Then, as the lead federal agent, USAID´s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance fields the request and asks the Department of Defense for military assistance, if needed.