Nassau, Mesa Verde, Ashland to Haiti

NORFOLK, Va. - The Navy announced Wednesday that the 4000 sailors and Marines of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group (NAS ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) will divert to Haiti to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions.

Ships in the NAS ARG - including the Naval Station Norfolk-based amphibious assault ship USS Nassau and the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde, along with the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story-based amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland - left Hampton Roads Monday on a regularly scheduled deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

According to the Navy, the decision to divert NAS ARG/24 MEU from its planned deployment was made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen based on continuing urgent needs in the Haiti relief effort.

NAS ARG is commanded by Amphibious Squadron Eight (PHIBRON 8), which includes the Nassau, Ashland, Mesa Verde and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28.

Just before Monday's deployment, Captain John Bruening, Commodore PHIBRON 8, told WAVY.com, "We're on a scheduled deployment right now and we'll leave here knowing we're heading to the sixth and fifth fleet and certainly if our tasking changes I think the nation can know we are ready to support anyway we can."

According to the Navy, the ARG/MEU will provide an array of helicopter and amphibious landing craft assets, significantly increasing the ability to quickly provide relief supplies where they are most needed. In addition, the Marines assigned to 24 MEU will be able to provide an additional force capable of providing a secure environment for the ongoing relief efforts ashore in Haiti.

The medical personnel and facilities aboard the three ARG ships will also join the medical efforts already in place in the region to provide medical treatment to those in need in Haiti.

The Nassau, Mesa Verde and Ashland were in North Carolina Wednesday picking up the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune. Officials expect the NAS ARG/24 MEU to gets underway for Haiti as early as Thursday.