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Pentagon officials say U.S. is responding to Haiti earthquake as quickly as it can

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Top Pentagon officials said the U.S. responded to the Haiti earthquake as quickly as it could, and promised that as many as 10,000 American troops would be in-country and offshore by the weekend.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he anticipated that U.S. ground forces, including soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and the Marine Corps, would take a key role in helping distribute relief supplies quickly.

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U.N. forces, led by Brazil, will take the lead in security. Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. military would help with that effort but focus on humanitarian assistance.

Continue reading U.S. is coming to Haiti’s aid as fast as it can, Pentagon officials say.


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