Tarawa, 11th MEU arrive to aid Bangladesh

Lt. Pandora J. Liptrot, a Fleet Surgical Team 4 doctor assigned to the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge, passes out bottles of Pedialyte during a humanitarian relief mission in Rangabali, Bangladesh on Dec. 1.


Tarawa, 11th MEU arrive to aid Bangladesh
Staff report
Posted : Monday Dec 3, 2007 21:36:03 EST

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The amphibious assault ship Tarawa, carrying sailors and Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, on Monday began assisting in the humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation in Bangladesh, Navy officials said.

The Tarawa, carrying Marine helicopters and Navy landing craft, made “best speed” toward the cyclone-ravaged nation, officials said in a statement. The ship left its San Diego homeport Nov. 5.

“We train for these types of operations to ensure that we’re ready to help in a moment’s notice,” Navy Capt. John Miley, the Amphibious Squadron 1 commander aboard the Tarawa, said in a statement.

“We’re set up to be flexible. That’s how we do things; we’re highly-trained and we feel fortunate that we can reassure our friends and allies of our commitment to the region,” Miley added.

“We provide a unique mix of capabilities, including airlift, logistics support and the ability to support the humanitarian relief efforts already in place,” Marine Col. John W. Bullard, who commands the Camp Pendleton-based 11th MEU, said in the statement. “We are here to demonstrate our resolve in supporting the Bangladeshi government, its military and non-governmental organizations and more importantly, to assist in alleviating the suffering of those Bangladeshi citizens affected by the disaster.”

The Tarawa, which is leading an expeditionary strike group on a scheduled six-month deployment, joins a broader U.S. humanitarian relief effort supported by the Japan-based Combined Task Force 76 and the East Coast-based amphibious assault ship Kearsarge. The forces were called in to assist after southern coastal regions of Bangladesh, in South Asia, were devastated Nov. 15 by Cyclone Sidr, which killed more than 3,200 people. Since it arrived in the region, the Kearsarge has been delivering water, medical supplies and other support with members of the 22nd MEU and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/12/navy_tarawa_cyclonerelief_071203w/