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Beachmaster Unit Aboard Bataan Clears the Way for Relief in Haiti

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100205-27
Release Date: 2/5/2010 4:01:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samantha Robinett, USS Bataan Public Affairs

GRAND GOAVE, Haiti (NNS) -- Beachmaster Unit Two (BMU-2) embarked aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) has been working the beaches of Grand Goave, Haiti, to keep disaster relief supplies packed aboard air cushion landing craft (LCAC) moving between shore and ship and into the hands of the Haitian people who need them most.

BMU-2's mission is to provide tactical components in support of the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission. They also assist with the evacuation of casualties, and facilitate the movement of troops, equipment and supplies over the beach.

"We transfer a lot of personnel everyday," said Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Calvin Booker, a member of BMU-2. He said the Beachmasters bring out Navy volunteers working at a local missionary, along with food, water and supplies to continue supporting the people of Haiti and non-governmental organizations in the relief effort.

A Beach Party Team consists of traffic control and salvage, and communications units. The traffic control section directs boat traffic in the surf zone; including beaching and retracting the landing craft, and directing the smooth and efficient flow of personnel and material over the beach. The communications section establishes visual and radio communications with Bataan and enters prescribed radio nets.

BMU-2 has spent a great deal of time ashore in Haiti, and resilient and good natured tend to enter the conversation when describing their hosts.

"The Haitians are very friendly," said Booker. "I was expecting devastated people and a lot of chaos, but we haven't seen that. In fact, they have tried to learn English and tried to teach us Creole."

Booker said the locals have been very friendly, offering the Beachmasters food and other goods out of gratitude for their extensive help in the area.

"They offer us many different things to show their gratitude," said Booker. "They even ask us to play basketball and soccer with them. It is really fun to be out here with these kids on a day-to-day basis and see how happy they remained in the face of chaos. It makes me even happier that we can be out here helping them."

Beachmasters go ashore everyday to ensure that all the craft coming ashore are in proper working order to fulfill their duties and responsibilities to best serve the needs of the Haitian population affected by the recent earthquake Jan. 12.

USS Bataan (LHD 5) along with the dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and USS Gunston Hall (LHD 44) are deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission, supporting Operation Unified Response to provide military support capabilities to civil authorities and to help stabilize and improve the situation in the wake of this disaster.

For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.