2,000 more Marines ordered to Haiti
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The Pentagon is ordering an additional 2,000 Marines to Haiti, diverting troops who were on their way to the Persian Gulf and Africa region.
Navy officials announced today that the three-ship Nassau Amphibious Ready Group left Norfolk, Va., Monday for its regular deployment but has been told to go Haiti instead for the earthquake relief effort.
The group is picking up Marines today in North Carolina and will include 2,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines when it gets underway for Haiti, perhaps as early as Thursday.
The first group of about 2,000 Marines already off Haiti’s shore went on land for the first time Tuesday to help deliver aid. A Pentagon official says there are about 11,500 U.S. military personal in Haiti or offshore and that 16,000 are expected by week’s end.
-- Associated Press
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