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	Soldiers, Airmen return from Haiti relief mission
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        <h1 class="title">Soldiers, Airmen return from Haiti relief mission</h1>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2016/Oct/21/2001657202/1920/1080/0/161020-F-XK411-043.JPG"
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                 alt="U.S. Army Soldiers from Fort Eustis greet members of the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element after returning from Haiti at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Oct. 20, 2016. The 689th RPOE worked with members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing, Defense Logistics Agency and other Department of Defense assets as part of a joint task force in a massive effort to receive and sort supplies for those in need as a result of Hurricane Matthew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)"
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            <div class="image-title">Soldiers, Airmen return from Haiti relief mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Soldiers from Fort Eustis greet members of the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element after returning from Haiti at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Oct. 20, 2016. The 689th RPOE worked with members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing, Defense Logistics Agency and other Department of Defense assets as part of a joint task force in a massive effort to receive and sort supplies for those in need as a result of Hurricane Matthew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2016/Oct/21/2001657183/1920/1080/0/161020-F-XK411-033.JPG"
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                 alt="U.S. Army Soldiers from Fort Eustis welcome home members of the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element from Haiti at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Oct. 20, 2016. The unit provided disaster relief/humanitarian assistance efforts for two weeks, as a result of Hurricane Matthew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)"
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            <div class="image-title">Soldiers, Airmen return from Haiti relief mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Soldiers from Fort Eustis welcome home members of the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element from Haiti at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Oct. 20, 2016. The unit provided disaster relief/humanitarian assistance efforts for two weeks, as a result of Hurricane Matthew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2016/Oct/21/2001657177/1920/1080/0/161020-F-XK411-021.JPG"
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                 alt="A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III brings about 20 members of the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element home from Haiti at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Oct. 20, 2016. The RPOEs are the U.S. Army’s main component for both the Seaport of Debarkation and Airport of Debarkation of the United States Transportation Command’s Joint Task Force-Port Openings mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)"
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            <div class="image-title">Soldiers, Airmen return from Haiti relief mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III brings about 20 members of the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element home from Haiti at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Oct. 20, 2016. The RPOEs are the U.S. Army’s main component for both the Seaport of Debarkation and Airport of Debarkation of the United States Transportation Command’s Joint Task Force-Port Openings mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)</div>
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    <div><b>By Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese</b> <span class="date">/ Published Oct. 21, 2016</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va., </span>
    <p>A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Dover Air Force Base, Deleware, transported about 20 members of the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element from Haiti to Joint Base Langley-Eustis Oct. 20, 2016. The Soldiers spent about two weeks supporting disaster relief and humanitarian assistance efforts as a result of Hurricane Matthew.</p>
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<p>The overall mission was to transport 400 tons of emergency-relief supplies via truck and helicopter to the people of Haiti.</p>
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<p>"As a rapid deploying unit, RPOE Soldiers must always be prepared to provide support anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice,” said U.S. Army Capt. Adam Grover, 689th commander.</p>
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<p>The 689th RPOE worked with members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing, Defense Logistics Agency and multiple other Department of Defense assets as part a joint task force in a massive effort to receive and sort supplies that came into Port-au-Prince International Airport, Haiti, before coordinating delivery to the hardest-hit areas.</p>
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<p>“I think what's critical to remember is the role that we play is to provide a unique capability that no one else can provide during a specific period in time,” said U.S. Navy Adm. Kurt Tidd, U.S. Southern Command commander. </p>
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<p>“What we did was the big jump start to be able to surge that initial volume of critical life-saving materials forward to get it on the ground, get it in the hands of the [Nongovernmental Organizations] and the distribution network.<br />
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<em>Editor's note: The original story can be viewed on the <a href="http://www.jble.af.mil/News/Article/982587/soldiers-airmen-return-from-haiti-relief-mission" target="_blank">Joint Base Langley-Eustis website</a>.</em></p>
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