The government of Haiti has requested assistance from the United States according to a Spokesperson of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), stressing that the Agency has also activated its response team.

The carrier "George Washington" (GW) and the amphibious transport dock "Mesa Verde" put to sea Tuesday with Navy and Marine aircraft aboard and are headed to the Caribbean to provide relief from the storm if needed. The GW's air wing is composed of V-22 Ospreys (Hybrid aircraft with vertical takeoff) and MH-60 Seahawks (Multi-mission helicopters), according the sources.

The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) is also gearing up for the major operation, but has not yet left port. The ships have not been issued any official orders tied to Haiti's request for assistance, said Cmdr. Dave Hecht, spokesman for the Naval Air Forces, Atlantic.

"We’ve learned from experience that it’s best to load up and head to sea in advance of the storm so we are ready if needed," declared Hecht, adding "The George Washington has been on alert for roughly the past 48 hours."

HL/ HaitiLibre