24th MEU wraps up Haiti operations

USS NASSAU, Off the coast of Haiti - The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit was released from its duties in Haiti Monday, providing support to Operation Unified Response, and will continue with the rest of its deployment to the Central Command Theater of Operation.

The unit recovered its gear and personnel and will leave across the Atlantic Ocean toward CENTCOM, which they expect to reach by the end of the month.

"Marines and Sailors from the Nassau ARG and 24th MEU once again proved the inherent flexibility and agility of the Navy-Marine Corps team by quickly responding to the needs of the people in Haiti," said Col. Pete Petronzio, commanding officer, 24th MEU.

They arrived on January 23 and have since delivered the following numbers of supplies to the relief efforts:

• Humanitarian Rations - 57,368 meals
• Rice - 1,365,617 lbs
• Water - 30,776 bottles
• Medical Supplies - 3,260 lbs
• Hand-Crank radios - 2,781
• Baby Food - 79,656 Jars

"The Marines and Sailors were magnificent in their role as facilitators in a much larger relief effort that brought together many nations and organizations in one common cause, helping the people of Haiti. It is hard to capture in words the incredible work they have done and the lives they have saved," said Petronzio.