Marines from Camp Pendleton go to Japan to help relief effort
Marines from Camp Pendleton have arrived aboard ships off northern Japan, prepared to aid in relief efforts in the nation ravaged by an earthquake and tsunami.
2,200 Marines and sailors, with 150 vehicles and 20 aircraft, have arrived to assist in debris removal, evacuation of the injured and to help move water and other supplies into inaccessible areas, officials said.
The Marines, from the 2nd battalion, 5th regiment, were in Okinawa as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit when the order came to redeploy. Planning teams, who will coordinate the relief efforts, are already ashore at Matsushima.
The ship Harpers Ferry will be pier-side at Akita to prepare for the offloading of equipment and personnel, with two other ships from the unit, the Essex and Germantown, at sea nearby.
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-- Tony Perry in San Diego
Photo: Marine supply officer Capt. Paul Bartok heads toward CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter as Marines prepare to aid in Japanese relief efforts. Credit: Marine Corps
EDITOR'S PICKS:
i dont plan on sending ONE PENNY to these people that continue the cruel and inhumane annual killing of dolphins. hopefully THE COVE operation where this all occurs was swept away
Posted by: dee gee | March 18, 2011 at 10:22 AM
@Dee gee - The Cove operation is southern Japan. It couldn't be any more further away from where the earthquake happened. So because a tiny group in one small town in Southern Japan hunt dolphins you aren't going help the people affected by this tragedy who have nothing to do with that?
Who is more cruel and inhumane now?
Posted by: Zazoo Pitts | March 18, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Dee Gee, like you were going to send a penny anyways. Give me a break! So how about all the pigs, chickens, horses, dogs, cats and cattle that are killed inhumanely every year in the USA? Which animals have more rights then others? Who are you to decide? So you blame all the citizens of Japan for killing dolphins?
Posted by: jason | March 18, 2011 at 11:43 AM
GO MARINES!!
Posted by: Ray | March 18, 2011 at 12:13 PM