[advance_copy]

Secretary Rumsfeld has got the U.S. military moving on disaster relief.

[GeronL]

But but but but.... everyone else says its too little too late and that the US is stingy...

where are all the French and UN flotilla's?

[Cobra64]

What are the generous Norwegians doing?

[Howlin]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2004 – The U.S. Joint Task Force set up to provide assistance to the nations affected by last weekend’s Indian Ocean tsunami is up and running, and Marine assessment teams have started to report their findings.

[Red6]

Rummy is bad and we are "stingy". This don't fit in the CNN/CNNi/foreign media agenda so it won't be sold to the global public which wants to hear about "imperialism", "Blood for oil", and American "stingyness".

Truth is, before all is said we'll have done more than anyone else. The libs will spin it as if we wanted to do nothing and the NYT will make it seem like it was thier doing that the government acted. "All that negative press you know? It forced Bush's hand to help these people"

Red6

[M Kehoe]

I trust France is sending their bird farm. Oops, my bad, the De Gall [sic] isn't sea worthy.

5.56mm

[LZ_Bayonet]

Hopefully our forces will maintain their force protection against terrorists who might try to take advantage of the opportunity.

[surfatsixty]

http://www.usmc.mil/15thmeu/

15th MEU (SOC) heads to Sri Lanka for HA mission

ABOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD (Dec. 30, 2004) -- After planning for a robust training package aboard the tiny island of Guam, a series of Tsunamis in the Indian Ocean has forced the the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) to change its plans and prepare for a Humanitarian Assistance mission in Sri Lanka.

Earlier this week, more than 110,000 people were killed when massive earthquake caused numerous Tsunamis that ripped apart vacation resorts and fishing villages along the coast lines of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other nations in the region. Within hours of the tragedy, the 15th MEU's original training plans were changed and the Marines and Sailors began preparing for a robust HA mission.

Guam was originally scheduled to be a working port for the 15th MEU with a series of training events designed to keep the Marines' warfighting skills sharp during the long journey. Instead, the visit turned into a high-speed logistical re-supply where the ship picked up several tons of food, mail and other supplies.

Logisticians with the MEU took every opportunity to acquire tools and other supplies needed for a HA mission of this magnitude. Shovels, chainsaws and lumber are just a a few items purchased to assist the devastated region.

While the 15th MEU's area of operation has yet to be named, the unit stands ready to perform a number of tasks such as purifying water, distributing humanitarian rations and providing transport of supplies using cargo helicopters and tactical vehicles.

END OF ARTICLE

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COMMENT-

Before they left Guam, the MEU cleaned out the hardware stores of anything that could be used in the upcoming rescue operation.

The 15th MEU (SOC) includes air assets (fixed and rotary wing), landing craft, provisions for 90 days, and a battalion of infantry, the 1/1.

[Salvation]

Doesn't sound stingy to me!