The Africa Partnership Station 10 Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force is deploying to Haiti to assist the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in disaster relief efforts after an earthquake devastated the Caribbean nation January 12.
The SCMAGTF is built around a Marine rifle company and reinforced by an AAV platoon. Approximately 130 Marines and Sailors comprise the SCMAGTF.
Originally scheduled to deploy to the West African coast to conduct Theater Security Cooperation in Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Liberia, the mission was placed on hold as the unit was redirected to partake in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
Teamwork is essential in missions like this, said Lt. Col. John Golden, commanding officer, SCMAGTF.
"We bring additional security forces, medical and transportation assets, and are here as a force multiplier to the already formidable capabilities of the 22nd MEU," said Golden. "A great aspect of this mission to Haiti is that one of our original APS missions was to train host nations to conduct humanitarian, disaster, and recovery efforts, and now we will be performing these in reality.