Expeditionary Force of 800 US Marines Deploys For Hurricane Rescue Efforts - Navy
Two amphibious warships with an 800-strong Marine expeditionary force have deployed to the southeastern coast of the United States to aid rescue efforts as Hurricane Florence moves inland, the US Navy announced in a press release on Friday.
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 14th September, 2018) Two amphibious warships with an 800-strong Marine expeditionary force have deployed to the southeastern coast of the United States to aid rescue efforts as Hurricane Florence moves inland, the US Navy announced in a press release on Friday.
"The 22nd MEU [Marine Expeditionary Unit] brings along nearly 800 Marines, six MV-22 Ospreys, three CH-53 Super Stallion and three UH-1Y Super Huey helicopters, as well as a host of ground vehicles, generators and other expeditionary equipment," the release said.
The deployment included the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge and transport dock ship Arlington, along with four MH-53 Sea Dragons, six MH-60 Sea Hawks, and three ship-to-shore landing craft utilities, the release explained.
"This is a team effort - we're prepared to move into position when requested to provide life-saving and life-sustaining support to those in affected areas," task force Commander Rear Admiral Brad Skillman stated in the release.
As Florence made landfall early on Friday, emergency rescue teams struggled to reach hundreds of residents trapped in cars, on roofs and in attics to escape flooding from the slow moving storm.