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Return planned for evacuated La. Marines

Officials are planning a phased return to the Marine Reserve headquarters in hurricane-rattled New Orleans beginning Friday, a Marine spokesman said.

The planned return of personnel to Marine Forces Reserve would begin no earlier than 6 a.m., Gunnery Sgt. James Connolly said Thursday. The timeline is contingent on conditions remaining the same, and would result in most personnel returning to the area by Sunday morning.

“All of these things are fluid, but we believe we can begin sending people home,” he said.

MarForRes began evacuating its headquarters Saturday and established an alternate headquarters at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday, one day before Hurricane Gustav roared ashore with Category 2 strength and 110 mph winds west of the low-lying city.

“Right now, our families are in a good situation,” Connolly said. “They have roofs over their heads and food in their bellies, and I think that’s how we’re looking at things.”

Marine officials said 454 active-duty Marines, 309 active Reserve Marines and 31 sailors were stationed at MarForRes when the evacuation began. About 30 Marines remained at the headquarters in New Orleans during the storm to maintain security and minimal operations.