Army South deploys additional Soldiers, civilians to Haiti

By Mr. Robert R. Ramon, U.S. Army South Public Affairs OfficeJanuary 25, 2010

Army South deploys additional Soldiers, civilians to Haiti
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Luis Gonzalez (center) bids farewell to Lt. Col. Jose R. Delgado at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 23. In an ongoing effort to aid earthquake victims in Haiti, additional U.S. Army South Soldiers and civilians deployed as p... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army South deploys additional Soldiers, civilians to Haiti
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army South Soldiers and civilians prepare to travel on a C-130 military airplane at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 23. In an ongoing effort to aid earthquake victims in Haiti, additional U.S. Army South Soldiers and civilians deployed a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SAN ANTONIO -- In an ongoing effort to aid earthquake victims in Haiti, additional U.S. Army South Soldiers and civilians deployed Jan. 23 to the devastated Caribbean nation as part of Joint Task Force Haiti and Operation Unified Response.

They boarded a C-130 military airplane in the early morning darkness at Kelly Field here, eager to join their Army South teammates already in Haiti assisting a partner nation in need.

"We're using the might of Army South to help them out in any capacity necessary," said Lt. Col. Jose R. Delgado, an Army South operations officer. "Whenever tragedy strikes you're compelled to do something. Our main charter is to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief."

Army South maintains a close relationship with partner nations in the area of focus that includes the Caribbean, Central and South America, in an effort to increase regional cooperation and identify how each can assist in enhancing overall capabilities in the region, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

"We have a responsibility to build partnerships with those nations," said Sgt. Maj. Bret Wiegmann, the Army South mission planner. "When they are in need we're the ones who need to flex and get down there to help them out. We owe it to the Haitian people to support them."

Well equipped and experienced in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response throughout the region, U.S. Army South remains an enduring partner committed to providing support to the Haitians.

Related Links:

Haiti Earthquake Relief Mission