Marines board a KC-130 cargo aircraft bound for Indonesia May 30. A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the region May 27, killing more than 5,800 people.

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CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (June 1, 2006) -- Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force deployed to Indonesia May 29 and 30 in support of humanitarian relief efforts to the Indonesian people suffering from the effect of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the country May 27, killing more than 5,800 people.

III MEF is committing medical personnel, equipment, and supplies to Indonesia to contribute to the international humanitarian relief efforts in the wake of the devastating quake that struck near the ancient city of Yogyakarta.

Approximately 100 personnel from III MEF's 3rd Marine Logistics Group are deploying with surgical, shock trauma, laboratory, dental, X-ray and preventive medicine capabilities.

The deployment is part of a larger U.S. government response to a request from the government of Indonesia for humanitarian assistance. Coordinated through the U.S. Department of State, the Department of Defense committed U.S. military resources to the relief operation.