1/8, 4th AAV settles in Michoud to aid hurricane victims
By Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson
| | September 9, 2005
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NEW ORLEANS--Marines from the 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion patrol the streets of New Orleans near Michoud on a search and rescue mission for survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The Marines were activated from their reserve components to provide humanitarian assistance after the category four hurricane flooded much of the city.
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NEW ORLEANS--Lance Cpl. David B. Bystricky (right) and Pfc. Chris Mesche, both members of Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, peer over the lip of their Amphibious Assault Vehicle during a search and rescue patrol Sept. 6. The Marines were called to provide humanitarian assistance to the city of New Orleans to mitigate the devistation of Hurricane Katrina.
NEW ORLEANS -- Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air/Ground Task Force Katrina planted their boots in New Orleans Sept. 3 to react to Louisiana’s natural disaster. Only a one day later, the SPMAGTF grew a branch in eastern New Orleans, which became the new home of 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion.The Marines are shacking up at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility with just enough service support, including mechanics and communicators, to conduct regular patrols into assigned sectors of the city in search of survivors and maintain operations in the rear. The convenient combination of the Assault Amphibian Vehicles with grunts in tow makes almost any search and rescue mission within the capabilities of the teams. Each day, a convoy of AAV’s takes to the streets of New Orleans to primarily recover evacuees and provide humanitarian assistance. All personnel pulled from the wreckage are turned over to civilian authorities to be further evacuated from Katrina’s damage. The Marines are also continuously working to improve the surrounding area through clean-ups and minute rebuilding efforts.The deployment of United States Marines and activation of reserve units is part of a federally-sanctioned program to provide humanitarian assistance to thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina.