• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Carl Vinson Begins Humanitarian Operations in Southern Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100116-12
Release Date: 1/16/2010 8:21:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Thompson, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 began humanitarian and disaster relief operations Jan. 15 after arriving on station Thursday.

Carl Vinson and CVW 17 received orders from U.S. Southern Command to deliver assistance to the Caribbean nation following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake which caused catastrophic damage within the capital city Jan. 12.

"We've been able to complete our first mission which was to deliver aid and supplies to the airport," said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 1, Rear Adm. Ted Branch, the joint force maritime component commander.

The Carl Vinson is part of a comprehensive Department of Defense and U.S. government approach to disaster relief in Haiti. Navy expeditionary forces are deploying to provide on-scene assessment, construction, security civil affairs and logistics support in conjunction with interagency and multinational partners.

"The task ahead is a daunting one, but we have Sailors who are eager to be part of the solution," said Branch.
"We have great Sailors and agency partners; lots of people trying to do good things."

Since humanitarian assistance and disaster response are part of the U.S. maritime force core capabilities, Carl Vinson is uniquely positioned to provide assistance.

"One of the great benefits of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is that we were able to proceed at 30 knots for two full days to arrive on station," said Carl Vinson Commanding Officer, Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey. "Our flexibility, speed and sustainability enable us to immediately begin the relief efforts."

Commander, U.S. Naval Force Southern Command directs U.S. naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interaction with regional partner nation navies.

For more news from USS Carl Vinson, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn70/.