By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Katrin Albritton, Navy Expeditionary
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Sailors from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) loaded their gear on board USS Ft. McHenry (LSD 43) Jan. 14, in preparation for their deployment to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake which struck southern Haiti Jan. 12.
More than 140 Sailors from Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 6, assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 2, loaded four patrol boats, communications gear and other types of equipment to assist with their upcoming mission.
"We're saving lives, doing our jobs, here to do protection," said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Richard Glessner, a member of MSRON-6. "There are a lot of displaced people who heed our help and we're happy to do our job."
Another member of MSRON-6 is facing this from a personal perspective. Boatswain's Mate ate Seaman Dominique Pierre, who is originally from la Turture, Haiti, is a member of MSRON-6, and preparing to deploy along with this squadron.
"I don't know if my family is okay, yet," Pierre said. "But everything happens for a reason, and we're going to help people. I'm ready to do my job."
The expeditionary character of NECC forces uniquely positions them to quickly support out nation's response to the tragedy in Haiti. NECC forces support the Maritime Strategy with the agility and flexibility needed to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the Haitian people.