BAWAL, Bangladesh -- Marines and sailors from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Goup 3 delivered food rations to Bangladeshi citizens in the village of Bawal today during a Humanitarian Assistance Operation known as Sea Angel II here.
CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced), Marine Air Station Miramar, San Diego transported the food from the Tarawa to Bawal. HMM-166 (REIN) is the aviation combat element of the 11th MEU (SOC).
The humanitarian aid was requested by the government of Bangladesh and is part of ongoing relief efforts currently underway after Tropical Cyclone Sidr struck their southern coast Nov. 15. The cyclone killed more than 3,000 people and left several hundred thousand homeless. The Department of Defense effort is part of a larger United States response coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development.
The 11th MEU (SOC) serves as the nation's forward deployed, quick-response force and is capable of accomplishing numerous missions around the globe including humanitarian assistance operations.
For more information about the 11th MEU (SOC) visit their website athttp://www.usmc.mil. For high resolution images contactjimenezs@11meu.usmc.mil.