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Vinson, other ships released from Haiti mission

U.S. Southern Command has released the carrier Carl Vinson and three other ships from their duties as part of the Haiti task force, according to a Navy announcement Monday.

Vinson, the cruiser Bunker Hill and the destroyer Higgins all will return to San Diego; the Military Sealift Command oceanographic survey ship Henson will take another survey assignment elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Vinson is leaving 10 Navy helicopters in Haiti to continue making supply and medevac flights as part of the humanitarian recovery; the amphibious assault ships Nassau and Bataan will remain off Port-au-Prince for the time being to continue contributing their Marine Corps helicopters and V-22 Osprey aircraft to the operation.

Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander of SouthCom, also released elements of three Army aviation units, according to the announcement.

The departure of Vinson, Bunker Hill, Higgins and Henson leaves 19 Navy, Coast Guard and MSC ships as part of the armada off Haiti, which will continue sending ashore food, equipment and medicine as the rescue mission continues. Bunker Hill and Higgins were two of three Aegis warships using their powerful radars to organize the crowded air space over Haiti. The last, the cruiser Normandy, will remain on station for the time being.