Bataan scouts out best sites to put boots on the ground in Haiti

ABOARD THE BATAAN

Marines and sailors traveling with the amphibious assault ship Bataan got their first glimpse of the devastation in Haiti on Monday and identified a handful of sites where they'll deploy on-the-ground teams as soon as today.

Two Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters took off from the deck of the Norfolk-based Bataan and spent hours in the air Monday afternoon looking for places just west of Port-au-Prince to land aircraft and bring supplies ashore using smaller boats.

Marines aboard the helicopters snapped photos and shot video of the ruins below.

Commanders said they'll review the footage before deciding exactly where to begin setting up temporary operating bases and delivering aid.

"Jesus," said Marine Sgt. Aaron Smith, shaking his head as he studied the rubble, collapsed buildings and black plumes of smoke. He pointed down to a soccer field and explained that the Marines are considering using it as a makeshift airport.

"In some of these areas, no one's really doing anything to help yet," said Lt. Col. Sean Saleme, who flew one of the helicopters. "And the communication's so bad right now on the ground - all we can do is go and look for ourselves."

Commanders said the helicopters identified at least two usable beaches and three potential helicopter landing areas. They said they planned to decide during meetings Monday night what steps will come next. So far details of their mission have remained largely unclear. Plans for Monday's operations changed several times throughout the day.

The Bataan, tasked with supporting American efforts to help victims of last week's magnitude 7.0 earthquake, left home Thursday night carrying roughly 1,100 sailors. It stopped in Morehead City, N.C., on Friday to pick up 1,300 Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit before arriving off the coast of Haiti on Monday.

Commanders have said that the ship's sailors and Marines are prepared to provide law enforcement, deliver food and supplies, transport personnel, clear roads and help treat the wounded.

Three Norfolk-based dock landing ships traveled to Haiti with the Bataan - the Fort McHenry, the Carter Hall and the Gunston Hall. The aircraft carrier Carl Vinson arrived off the coast of Port-au-Prince last week. Commanders from the Bataan group made a short trip to the carrier Monday afternoon to discuss how the ships will work together in the coming weeks.

Corinne Reilly, (757) 446-2949, corinne.reilly@pilotonline.com