Marines return home from aid mission in Haiti

A ship working with the 22nd MEU to deliver humanitarian aid in Haiti was released from its mission late last week.

The USS Fort McHenry departed the waters near Portau-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, according to press releases.

About 200 Marines from the ship, including elements of Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, returned to Camp Lejeune on Saturday, 22nd MEU spokesman Capt. Binford Strickland said.

The ship deployed to Haiti as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, which includes USS Bataan, U.S.S Carter Hall and U.S.S Gunston Hall.

About 400 Marines from the 22nd MEU returned home to Camp Lejeune aboard the USS Carter Hall March 8.

USS Fort McHenry delivered 3,500 pounds of medical aid and the team on board treated 850 patients, both on the ship and ashore, working with a number of non-government organizations. USS Fort McHenry flew 44 days of air operations and offloaded 22 pallets of lumber and 215 pallets of food and water, according to releases.

The remainder of the MEU will continue to support Joint Task Force-Haiti and expects to return home no later than April 15, Strickland said.