U.S. sends ships, aircraft carrier to aid Philippines

The Pentagon is dispatching its ready-duty flattop in the Asia-Pacific region and three escort ships to provide relief and support to the typhoon-stricken Philippines.
The order from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel cuts short a Hong Kong port visit by one day for the ships: aircraft carrier George Washington, cruisers Cowpens and Antietam, and destroyer Mustin. The crews have been recalled from liberty and are getting ready to “make best speed” for the disaster zone, according to a Defense Department news release, a journey that will take about two days.
The Philippines government has requested relief from the U.S., whose assets are being directed by Marine Corps Forces Pacific, after what is believed to be one of the worst tsunamis in Philippines history, Typhoon Haiyan.
The ships will be joined by supply ships Charles Drew and Richard E. Byrd, Curry said. A second destroyer, the Lassen, also got underway Sunday and is headed to the Philippines, where up to 13-feet of typhoon surge wiped away seaside homes and dragged residents out to sea. The death toll is feared to be in the thousands.
The Marines are already there.
navytimes