

|
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Tin Can Sailors
(Last
updated 02/05/10)
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03 Feb 10 |
Climate Change On Navy's Radar |
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03 Feb 10 |
Battleship Missouri Memorial reopens after a three month overhaul |
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03 Feb 10 |
Headlines From Around the Fleet |
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02 Feb 10 |
Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hickam Air Force Base Combine To Form Joint
Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam |
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02 Feb 10 |
Comfort Corpsmen Give Infant Another Shot at Life |
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02 Feb 10 |
Comfort Reunites Mother, Daughter Separated by Earthquake |
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02 Feb 10 |
Navy Confirms Sunken Sub in Balabac Strait is USS Flier |
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02 Feb 10 |
Haiti Multimedia - a one minute look at the Navy's humanitarian relief
effort in Haiti |
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02 Feb 10 |
The cast and crew of the movie Avatar visit USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
(CVN 69) |
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01 Feb 10 |
Fiscal Year 2011 Department of the Navy Budget Submission |
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01 Feb 10 |
Gunston Hall, Underwood Work Quality of Life Issues at Killick
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01 Feb 10 |
Underwood Sailors Provide Medical Care to Injured Haitians |
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31 Jan 10 |
Comfort Cares for Man Buried Alive After 13 Days in Rubble |
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31 Jan 10 |
Lincoln Strike Group Changes Command |
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31 Jan 10 |
Bataan Medical Delivers Earthquake Miracle |
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31 Jan 10 |
Headlines From Around the Fleet |
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31 Jan 10 |
Photo of the Day |
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30 Jan 10 |
Prospective Commanding Officers Complete First SOSMRC Course |
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30 Jan 10 |
Freedom Arrives In Mayport, Prepares For Maiden Deployment |
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30 Jan 10 |
Service members and veterans gather for groundbreaking of Miramar
National Cemetery |
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28 Jan 10 |
Bataan Provides Vital Link to Haiti Relief |
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28 Jan 10 |
Navy Leads Haitian Harbor Assessment |
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28 Jan 10 |
Operation Unified Response Support Flows Nonstop |
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28 Jan 10 |
Seabees Departing to Support Haiti Relief Operations |
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28 Jan 10 |
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) uses ordnance elevators for transporting
Haitian patients |
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28 Jan 10 |
Headlines From the Active Fleet |
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28 Jan 10 |
Photo of the Day |
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27 Jan 10 |
High-Speed Ferry Ships to Support Haiti Relief |
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27 Jan 10 |
USS Carl Vinson Releases Haitian MEDEVAC Patients |
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27 Jan 10 |
Bataan Receives First Landing Craft MEDEVACs |
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27 Jan 10 |
Navy Ships Provide Critical Resources in Haiti |
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27 Jan 10 |
U.S. Postal Service to Honor Four Distinguished Sailors with Special
Stamps |
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27 Jan 10 |
Headlines From Around the Fleet |
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27 Jan 10 |
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) chaplains help in Haiti |
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27 Jan 10 |
Photo of the Day |
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26 Jan 10 |
USS Samuel B. Roberts Departs Congo |
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26 Jan 10 |
Commodore Conveys Gratitude for Multinational Effort in Haiti |
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26 Jan 10 |
Center for Surface Combat Systems Provides Training to Support Navy's
Newest Ship |
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26 Jan 10 |
Haiti Multimedia - a one-minute look at the Navy's humanitarian relief
effort in Haiti |
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26 Jan 10 |
Headlines From Around the Fleet |
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26 Jan 10 |
USS Eisenhower Relieves USS Nimitz to Continue Navy Support to Coalition
Troops in Afghanistan |
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25 Jan 10 |
Bataan's First 'Miracle' Patient in Haiti Returns Home |
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25 Jan 10 |
Gunston Hall Sailors Help Haitians in Quake Aftermath |
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25 Jan 10 |
USS Fort McHenry Treats MEDEVAC Patients from Haiti |
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25 Jan 10 |
Carter Hall Deck Department 'Delivers" in Haiti |
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24 Jan 10 |
Nassau
Arrives in Haiti |
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24 Jan 10 |
USS Los Angeles Decommissions at the Port of Los Angeles |
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24 Jan 10 |
Navy Aircraft Carrier Playing Major Role in Relief Efforts |
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24 Jan 10 |
Merchant Vessel Repels Pirate Attack |
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23 Jan 10 |
Bataan LCACs Land Ashore to Bring More Relief in Haiti
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22 Jan 10 |
Carl Vinson Touches Hearts, Saves Lives at Haitian Clinic |
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21 Jan 10 |
Commander Discusses the Role of USS Bataan in Humanitarian Efforts |
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21 Jan 10 |
PWD GTMO Prepares Airfield to Support Logistics Mission in Haitian |
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21 Jan 10 |
USS Higgins Supports Relief Effort from Coast of Haiti |
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21 Jan 10 |
Coalition Counter-piracy Task Force Changes Command |
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21 Jan 10 |
George H.W. Bush Sailors Assisting in Haiti Relief Effort |
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20 Jan 10 |
Coalition Counter Piracy Task Force Changes Command |
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20 Jan 10 |
USNS Comfort Begins Work in Haiti, Prepares To Expand Medical Capability |
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20 Jan 10 |
Maritime Force Serves as Cornerstone of Relief Operations in Haiti |
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20 Jan 10 |
Bataan Receives MEDEVAC, Treats 19 Injured Haitians |
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20 Jan 10 |
CNO Approves Service Dress Khaki Uniform Design, Initial Wear Policy |
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20 Jan 10 |
New Radar Detection Lab Will Enhance Navy's Ability to Protect Nation |
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20 Jan 10 |
Photo of the Day |
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20 Jan 10 |
VIDEO -- Haiti Multimedia - a one-minute look at the Navy's humanitarian
relief effort in Haiti |
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20 Jan 10 |
USS Independence (LCS 2) revolutionizes naval technology |
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20 Jan 10 |
Sailors from USS Lassen (DDG 82) and JS Ohnami (DD 111) observe 50th
anniversary of U.S.-Japanese partnership |
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20 Jan 10 |
VIDEO Haiti Multimedia - a one-minute look at the Navy's humanitarian
relief effort in Haiti |
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20 Jan 10 |
Surgery performed on board USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) saves life of
Haitian girl |
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20 Jan 10 |
Headlines from around the fleet |
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20 Jan 10 |
Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead, talks about USS
Independence (LCS 2) crew. |
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20 Jan 10 |
Higgins Crew Makes a Difference in Haiti |
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20 Jan 10 |
USS Bataan Ready to Help in Haiti |
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20 Jan 10 |
Carl Vinson Reunites 12-Year Old Haitian with Family |
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20 Jan 10 |
Carl Vinson Sends Desperately Needed Water Ashore |
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20 Jan 10 |
Comfort Receives First Patients |
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19 Jan 10 |
Headlines From Around the Fleet |
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19 Jan 10 |
Gunston Hall Arrives in Haiti to Assist Earthquake Victims |
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19 Jan 10 |
USS Reuben James Deploys to the Western Pacific |
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19 Jan 10 |
USS Bataan Receives MEDEVAC, Treats Three Injured Haitians |
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19 Jan 10 |
Normandy, HSL 46 Det 3 Provide Relief to Haitian Earthquake Victims |
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19 Jan 10 |
USS Fort McHenry Arrives in Haiti |
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19 Jan 10 |
Enterprise Sailors Support Haitian Relief Effort |
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18 Jan 10 |
Sanjay Gupta Assists Vinson Medical Team |
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18 Jan 10 |
USNS Grasp, Divers Arrive in Port-au-Prince, Begin Port Assessments |
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18 Jan 10 |
Hospital Ship Comfort to Support Operation Unified Response Haiti |
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18 Jan 10 |
Maritime Civil Affairs Team Aboard Bataan Prepares to Assist in Haiti |
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18 Jan 10 |
Safety Measures Protect Ship From Piracy |
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17 Jan 10 |
UPDATE: U.S. Navy Delivers Assistance, Capabilities to Unified Response |
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17 Jan 10 |
USS Normandy Arrives off Coast of Port-Au-Prince |
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17 Jan 10 |
USS Carl Vinson Receives Haitian MEDEVAC Patients |
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17 Jan 10 |
Gunston Hall Deploys in Support of Relief Operations in Haiti |
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17 Jan 10 |
NHB Staff Preparing to Support Relief Efforts in Haiti |
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16 Jan 10 |
USS Underwood En Route to Haiti |
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16 Jan 10 |
CNO Speaks at LCS 2 Commissioning in Mobile |
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16 Jan 10 |
USS Independence Commissioned |
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16 Jan 10 |
Carl Vinson Begins Humanitarian Operations in Southern Command |
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16 Jan 10 |
Navy Medicine Responds to Haiti Earthquake Disaster |
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16 Jan 10 |
Vinson Helicopters Perform Medical Evacuations; "Sea Base" On the Way |
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16 Jan 10 |
USNS Comfort Readies to Leave for Haiti |
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16 Jan 10 |
Top Navy Doc Predicts Long USNS Comfort Deployment |
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16 Jan 10 |
Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) deploys to Haiti |
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16 Jan 10 |
Headlines From Around the Fleet |
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16 Jan 10 |
Photo of the Day |
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15 Jan 10 |
USS Carl
Vinson Arrives in Haiti |
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14 Jan 10 |
Military Preps for Broader Haiti Relief Mission |
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14 Jan 10 |
Obama Makes Haiti Response
Top U.S. Priority |
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14 Jan 10 |
Sailors from MCAST Prepare
for Deployment en route to Haiti |
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14 Jan 10 |
Sailors from MSRON-6
Prepare for Deployment en route to Haiti |
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14 Jan 10 |
NATO Commander Expects
'Significant Progress' in Afghanistan |
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14 Jan 10 |
NTTC Meridian Named
Bainbridge Award Winner |
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14 Jan 10 |
Headlines From Around the Fleet |
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14 Jan 10 |
Photo of the Day |
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13 Jan 10 |
Vinson Deploys to Respond to Haiti Earthquake |
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13 Jan 10 |
SOUTHCOM to Deploy Assessment Team to Haiti |
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13 Jan 10 |
Navy to Commission Littoral Combat Ship Independence |
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13 Jan 10 |
Mission Packages Key to LCS Capabilities |
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13 Jan 10 |
U.S.-Japan Alliance is Cornerstone of Security in Asia, says 7th Fleet
Commander |
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13 Jan 10 |
Headlines From Around the Fleet |
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13 Jan 10 |
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) deploys in support of Southern Seas 2010 |
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13 Jan 10 |
The Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Wash., unveils a display featuring
50th anniversary of the ballistic missile submarine |
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13 Jan 10 |
Navy assists in US relief efforts in Haiti |
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11 Jan 10 |
USS Missouri Returns, 100 Service Members Reenlist |
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11 Jan 10 |
Sailors reenlist aboard the former USS Missouri (BB 63) during its
return to Battleship Row |
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11 Jan 10 |
Yokosuka Morale, Welfare and Recreation department hosts Polar Bear
Plunge. |
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11 Jan 10 |
Navy Supply Corps School Commanding Officer Relieved |
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11 Jan 10 |
Keep Your Family Safe: Practice Operational Security on Social Media |
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11 Jan 10 |
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Rick West, talks about social
media. |
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08 Jan 10 |
Navy's Second Littoral Combat Ship to be Commissioned |
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08 Jan 10 |
Former USS Oriskany (CVA 34) becomes artificial reef. |
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08 Jan 10 |
Two New Navy Working Uniforms Announced |
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07 Jan 10 |
American Hero Awarded Purple Heart and POW Medals |
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07 Jan 10 |
Pre-Commissioning Unit Independence (LCS 2) features new surface warfare
technology |
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07 Jan 10 |
From
Sculptor to Sailor |
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06 Jan 10 |
CNO Lands on Carrier Operating in the North Arabian Sea |
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06 Jan 10 |
Revolutionary Ship Readies for Commissioning |
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06 Jan 10 |
Navy Non-Kinetic Air Power for OEF |
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05 Jan 10 |
Headlines From Around the Fleet |
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02 Jan 10 |
Nimitz Keeps Golden Anchor for Fourth Year |
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02 Jan 10 |
Ike
Strike Group Deploys |
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Tips on how to protect your computer and personal
data |
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Climate Change On Navy's Radar
Release Date: 2/3/2010 9:47:00 PM
From Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Public
Affairs
ATLANTA,
Ga. (NNS) -- The director of the U.S. Navy's Task Force Climate Change (TFCC)
said the earth is truly experiencing a climate change and the Navy needs to
be prepared for potential impacts on its mission areas.
Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy and TFCC Director Rear Adm. David
Titley made his remarks as part of a panel discussion on environmental
security and climate change at the annual meeting of the American
Meteorological Society in Atlanta last month.
The Task Force makes recommendations to Navy leadership regarding policy,
strategy, force structure and investments relating to climate change. Of
immediate interest is the Navy's investment in observation and prediction
capabilities.
Titley said the rate of global warming has not slowed, and the long term
trend is rising. The Arctic is among the areas seeing the greatest impact
from climate change, with sea ice coverage during summer months steadily
diminishing, and the ice is thinner when the Arctic Ocean freezes again in
the winter.
Titley said the ice volume has declined and is not coming back.
"We're really seeing a tremendous change in the Arctic," he said, adding
that the "new" normal for the Arctic is to be not completely frozen all
year.
The implications are significant for the Navy's fixed assets as well as
operations and potential operations, and Navy leadership will have to decide
how to respond.
For instance, a sea-level rise of two meters can cause the Navy to evaluate
which of its bases will be viable, and additionally queries whether or not
the Navy should operate ice-hardened ships in an ice-diminished arctic, even
though ice-hardened ships cost more to build and to operate.
Consequently, Titley said, the Navy is interested in reducing its
carbon-based energy output by 50 percent by 2020.
Task Force Climate Change recently released its Arctic Roadmap, which guides
Navy policy, investment, action and public discussion regarding the Arctic.
Another roadmap for the broader issue of global climate change will
subsequently be developed.
The Navy also works with interagency and international partners to assess
changes in the Arctic and to prevent conflict that might result from the
change. |
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Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hickam Air Force Base Combine To Form Joint Base
Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Release Date: 2/2/2010 11:59:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup,
Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL
HARBOR (NNS) -- Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base held a
Jan. 31 ceremony unveiling Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), marking
the beginning of the transition period which will see the two military
installations combine.
This transition period is called Initial Operational Capability (IOC), and
according to JBPHH Commander Capt. Richard Kitchens, the two facilities will
build on existing relationships.
"It is truly an honor as we stand here and bring these two historic bases
together today," he said. "The Navy and Air Force share the same goals with
passion and pride, and with the joining of forces today, we will be able to
further our partnership between the two services."
United States Air Force 15th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Giovanni Tuck
expressed the significant capabilities the joint base can offer.
"With the combining of forces, we will bring unity along with excellence
into the future," he said. "I look forward to seeing a strong partnership
prosper when we merge bases together today. Just because we are creating
something new here today, the history of Hickam Air Force Base and Naval
Station Pearl Harbor will never be forgotten."
During the ceremony, the JBPHH seal was unveiled and Sailors and Airmen
opened up and removed the Aloha Aina Park pedestrian gate which previously
separated the two bases.
Kitchens and Tuck then symbolically joined a traditional Hawaiian lei
together, marking the beginning of the JBPHH IOC.
Kitchens said he looked forward to the future of JBPHH's tradition
continuing to grow.
"There is plenty of history and tradition that is already involved with
Pearl Harbor and Hickam," he said. "I know and I anticipate that there will
only be plenty of good things involved with JBPHH that will continue to add
to that history and tradition."
The IOC will continue through Oct. 1, when full operational capability will
take effect. At that time all resources, property, personnel and authority
for installation management functions will transfer to the Navy, which was
designated by Base Realignment and Closure law to be the lead agency for the
new installation.
United States Air Force 15th Mission Support Group, 15th Airlift Wing, Col.
Charles Baumgardner will serve as the deputy, joint base commander. Mission
commanders and other tenants will remain in charge of their units. The joint
base commanders will report to Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Rear Adm. Dixon
Smith. |
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Comfort Corpsmen
Give Infant Another Shot at Life
Release Date: 2/2/2010 4:25:00 PM
By Mass Communication 2nd Class Chelsea Kennedy, USNS Comfort
Public Affairs
USNS
COMFORT, At Anchor (NNS) -- Two Sailors aboard USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) gave
an infant another chance at life Jan. 24 when the child was born in critical
condition aboard the hospital ship as it operated off the coast of Haiti.
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Matthew Blake and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class
Catherine Andrews were both working in Casualty Receiving (CASREC) when a
pregnant woman was brought aboard. She was in labor and in need of immediate
medical care for injuries suffered in the earthquake that struck Haiti Jan.
12.
Because she was unstable, the medical personnel in CASREC passed the word
that she would have to deliver immediately. The woman was rushed into the
operating room for a Caesarian section where Andrews and Blake were on hand
to assist.
"I normally work as an orthopedic technician," said Andrews, a native of
Mounds, Ill. "I worked as a labor and delivery nurse for two years, so I was
like, okay I can catch the baby."
Assisting in a birth was completely new to Blake, but his training kicked in
when the baby was handed to him from the doctors.
"When the baby was delivered, he was not breathing independently and his
heart was beating very slowly," said Blake, a Clarksville, Tenn. native.
Andrews said, "Initially we tried to rub towels on the baby and try to get
baby to wake up and cry. When that wasn't working we took vitals and the
heart rate was down, so I automatically tried to give the baby oxygen.
Oxygen wasn't helping so we had to start CPR."
With quick action and unwavering confidence in their training as hospital
corpsmen, Blake and Andrews' saved the baby's life.
"I physically did the chest compressions and I was pushing the fluid of life
around that child," said Blake. "At that moment procedure took over."
Saving an infant's life is something that resonated deeply with both
Sailors, but it was only one of many experiences they've had providing
medical care in support of Operation Unified Response in Haiti.
"I have poured my time, effort and heart into this mission," said Blake. "I
feel that I have contributed a lot to these people's lives."
Said Andrews of the experience, "I can't even explain it. We pretty much
gave the baby a chance at life." |
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Comfort
Reunites Mother, Daughter Separated by Earthquake
Release Date: 2/2/2010 12:52:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Warner,
USNS Comfort Public Affairs
USNS
COMFORT, At Anchor (NNS) -- A mother and daughter reunited Jan. 31 aboard
Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) after a 10-day
separation.
Twelve-year-old Gedline Agard was in school when a massive earthquake
devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 12. The building collapsed on top of
Agard, breaking her leg and fracturing her skull and spine. She was
discovered the next day and transported to a general hospital for treatment.
Local doctors could not treat Agard's injuries effectively due to their
severity and decided Comfort could provide the care she needed. Agard was
taken to Terminal Varreux, a medical screening and evaluation center for
Comfort and was brought aboard for treatment.
Doctors aboard agreed that spinal surgery was necessary. However, due to
Agard's age, her parents needed to grant consent for the operation to take
place. Agard's doctors were able to get a relative's phone number from her
which they passed to Lt. Cmdr. Mill Etienne, a neurosurgeon aboard Comfort.
Etienne, who speaks fluent Creole and French, was able to get a phone number
for the girl's mother from the relative.
Etienne's call was one Ginette Laforest had been eagerly waiting.
"I didn't realize until I spoke to Laforest that she didn't know her
daughter was alive," Etienne said. "It was a really big surprise … I was
reuniting a family when I was making this phone call."
Following the call, Laforest arrived aboard Comfort by helicopter.
"As soon as we brought [Laforest] and walked her over to [Agard's] bed,
Gedline started calling out for her mother," said Lt. Cmdr. Diane Hite,
pediatrics assistant division officer aboard Comfort.
Mother and daughter were happy to be reunited after a challenging separation
from one other.
"I couldn't eat or drink anything because I was so worried about her,"
Laforest said. "There are no words to describe how happy I am right now. I'm
speechless."
Agard is currently in stable condition after her treatment.
Comfort is in Haiti supporting Operation Unified Response, providing medical
care and humanitarian assistance to those like Agard who were affected by a
7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the Haitian capital of
Port-au-Prince. |
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Navy
Confirms Sunken Sub in Balabac Strait is USS Flier
Release Date: 2/2/2010 9:21:00 AM
By Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public
Affairs
PEARL
HARBOR (NNS) -- The wreck of a U.S. submarine sunk during World War II has
been discovered in the Balabac Strait area of the Philippines, Rear Adm.
Douglas McAneny, commander Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC),
announced Feb. 1.
USS Flier (SS 250) was discovered by a documentary film company and
identified by COMSUBPAC through the use of video evidence and the assistance
of the Naval Heritage and History Command, McAneny said.
"We hope this announcement will provide some closure to the families of the
78 crewmen lost when Flier struck a mine in 1944," he said.
USS Flier, a 1,525-ton Gato-class submarine built at Groton, Conn., was
commissioned in mid-October 1943. She departed from Pearl Harbor for her
first war patrol in January 1944. While entering the harbor at Midway Island
during a storm, she went aground and was seriously damaged.
The damaged submarine was towed back to Pearl Harbor and finally reached the
Mare Island Navy Yard, California, where she was repaired. Flier made
another start on her first war patrol in May 1944, heading from Pearl Harbor
to the waters off Luzon. While en route on June 4 she attacked and sank the
transport Hakusan Maru. On June 13, she attacked a Japanese convoy off Subic
Bay, receiving a depth charging in return, and on June 22-23, hit another
convoy off Mindoro, apparently damaging one or more ships.
In early August 1944 Flier left Fremantle, Australia, for her second war
patrol. On August 13, while transiting shallow water to enter the South
China Sea, she struck a mine and quickly sank. Fourteen of 86 crewmen
escaped, but only eight survived the subsequent long swim to reach shore.
After making their way by raft to Palawan and being protected by local
people and a group of guerrillas, at the end of the month they were
evacuated by the submarine USS Redfin (SS-272).
The last surviving crew member of Flier, Ensign Al Jacobson, never gave up
the search for his lost shipmates. Sadly, Jacobson passed away in 2008, but
his family was determined to continue the search. The family provided notes
and research to the production company YAP Films, which investigates
nautical mysteries, and Jacobson's son Steve and grandson Nelson
participated in the search.
"After my father retired, he became very active in the quest to understand
more of what happened," said Steve Jacobson. "He put together as much
information as he could from naval records of the investigation and put
together charts of where he believed Flier was. We provided YAP Films with
everything my father had collected."
In the spring of 2009, with the aid of the Jacobson family, the team from
YAP Films located wreckage of a submarine in the area that USS Flier was
lost. Father and son divers Mike and Warren Fletcher of the television show
"Dive Detectives" captured the first views of the sunken submarine in more
than 64 years. YAP Films provided the Naval History and Heritage Command
with footage taken in the Balabac Strait to aid in the identification.
"The Flier discovery presented the Dive Detectives with one of our most
challenging dives," said Warren Fletcher. "At a depth of 330 feet there is
little margin for error. As my father and I descended into the dark blue
water, the unmistakable shape of a Gato-class submarine came into view. That
moment made all of the hard work and danger pale in comparison with the
feeling of pride it gave me to know that the Flier and her crew will not be
forgotten."
With the information provided by YAP Films, COMSUBPAC and the Naval History
and Heritage Command examined the evidence and historical records and
determined that the submarine found at the reported position could only be
USS Flier. No Japanese or U.S. submarine other than Flier was ever reported
lost in the area, and the gun mount and radar antenna clearly identifiable
in the video matched historical photographs of USS Flier. Additional
identifiable characteristics of the hull indicated that the wreck is indeed
a Gato-class submarine. These factors taken together led COMSUBPAC and the
Naval History and Heritage Center to conclude that the wreck found by YAP
Films could only be that of USS Flier.
"The Flier was found because all the right people came together for all the
right reasons," said Mike Fletcher. "But mostly the Flier was found because
of the love a family has for their dad."
"It was a pretty emotional experience," said Jacobson. "Although I was
really confident of the position, you still don't know. Literally, it was
exactly at the coordinates he said it would be. It is tremendous closure and
I wish that my dad could have experienced this."
Former Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz
once said, "When I assumed command of the Pacific Fleet on 31 December 1941
our submarines were already operating against the enemy, the only units of
the fleet that could come to grips with the Japanese for months to come. It
was to the Submarine Force that I looked to carry the load until our great
industrial activity could produce the weapons we so sorely needed to carry
the war to the enemy. It is to the everlasting honor and glory of our
submarine personnel that they never failed us in our days of great peril."
By the end of World War II, submarines had made more than 1,600 war patrols.
Pacific Fleet submarines like Flier accounted for more than half of all
enemy shipping sunk during the war. The cost of this success was heavy: 52
U.S. Pacific Fleet submarines were lost, and more than 3,500 submariners
remain on "eternal patrol." |
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Fiscal
Year 2011 Department of the Navy Budget Submission
Release Date: 2/1/2010 5:38:00 PM
By Defense Media Activity - Anacostia
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Department of the Navy (DoN) budget submission of $160.6
billion delivered today is consistent with the 2010 Quadrennial Defense
Review, the basic tenets of the National Defense Strategy and the Maritime
Strategy. The fiscal year (FY) 2011 baseline budget is a $4.6 billion, or 3
percent increase over the FY2010 level.
Navy and Marine Corps resources have been prioritized to prevail in today's
wars, prevent and deter conflict in all domains, prepare for a wide range of
contingencies and preserve the force.
Additionally, the FY 2011 request for overseas contingency operations (OCO)
of $18.5 billion integrates sustained support for the warfighter. It
includes incremental costs to sustain operations, manpower, equipment and
infrastructure repair, as well as equipment replacement to support the focus
on increasing threats.
The FY 2011 budget supports a deployable battle force of 284 ships including
11 aircraft carriers and 29 large amphibious ships. It also reflects a shift
to support irregular warfare and includes funds for the littoral combat ship
(LCS), expeditionary E/A-18G aircraft supporting national electronic warfare
requirements, P-8 Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance aircraft supporting
increased emphasis on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and a
variety of unmanned aerial vehicles.
In the area of ship procurement, this budget funds nine new construction
ships in FY2011 and 50 ships across the Future Years Defense Plan (FY 2011
through FY 2015)including two Virginia-class submarines per year, 17 LCSs, 8
DDG-51-class ships to continue the DDG-51 program restart, three new Mobile
Landing Platforms, the first LHA(R) and the second Ford-class aircraft
carrier.
In addition, aircraft procurement funds 206 airframes in FY 2011 and 1,006
airframes across the FYDP.
Navy Operation and Maintenance resources are increased to tightly focus on
meeting increased combatant commander operational tempo requirements,
properly sustaining and resetting ships and aircraft to reach expected
service lives, restoring base budget enduring flight hour requirements
previously funded with overseas contingency operations funding, and funding
price increases, most notably in fuel.
Military and civilian basic pay is increased by 1.4 percent. Commitment to
our investments in science and technology, cyberspace capabilities,
facilities sustainment, base closure and family housing is maintained. |
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Gunston Hall, Underwood Work Quality of Life Issues at Killick
Release Date: 2/1/2010 2:58:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) John
Stratton, USS Underwood Public Affairs
KILLICK,
Haiti (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS Underwood (FFG
36) are working together with the Haitian people to expedite work on
plumbing and sanitation deficiencies at the Killick Haitian Coast Guard
Base.
Sailors from the two Navy ships were able to successfully install a well
pump and have it running in a few days' time, providing potable water and
sanitation primarily needed to support the medical clinic at the Haitian
Coast Guard base.
"This well is essential to the quality of life here because it delivers
water throughout the base," said Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class (SW)
Chris Dreiling, from Salina, Kan. "It will provide water to the toilets,
sinks and showers here."
The joint effort required the skills of several Sailors to ensure this
much-needed project was completed.
"Gunston Hall provided us with the supplies and together we've been working
on this project for the past few days," said Underwood Sailor and
Jacksonville, Fla., native Electrician's Mate 1st Class (SW) Nelson Arnzten.
Gunston Hall Sailor Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Nayeli Benitez, a Hanover
Park, Ill., native, said challenges with the project were to be expected.
"The electrical system here in Haiti is nothing like it is back in the
United States," she said, after discovering the base's electrical system was
tied to a generator, making it difficult to perform electrical maintenance.
Now that the well is functioning, other projects can be completed.
"I've been taking a look at the toilets and showers," said Gunston Hall
Damage Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Gary Darling, a native of Morley, Mich. "A
few of us have been making much-needed repairs to the toilets and
showerheads, and we're ready for the pump to get the water flowing."
Gunston Hall, a Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship, was
originally scheduled for a deployment to Africa in support of Africa
Partnership Station (APS) West. The ship was diverted to assist in
humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified
Response.
The ship recently completed a mid-life modernization availability. The work
included major upgrades to the ship's control system, local area network and
machinery control system, propulsion systems, HVAC, as well as replacement
of the ship's boilers and evaporators with an all-electric services system. |
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Underwood Sailors Provide Medical Care to Injured Haitians
Release Date: 2/1/2010 2:28:00 PM
By Ensign Kim Hanson, USS Underwood Public Affairs
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- USS Underwood (FFG 36) has provided critical
medical assistance in support of Operation Unified Response since their
arrival in Haiti Jan. 16.
Underwood Sailors have worked at a triage center at Killick Joint Operations
Center, located in Port-au-Prince. The 20 Sailors have treated patients with
infections and minor injuries.
Underwood's Independent Duty Corpsman, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW/FMF)
Joe Swanson, has been leading Sailors in the medical assistance efforts,
which includes administrating antibiotics, bandaging wounds, splinting and
setting fractures, and minor surgical operations. The Sailors act as medical
assistants, handing the doctors supplies, instruments, bandages, and some
clean and sterilize wounds. Many other Sailors are transporting patients on
stretchers either to medical wards or to wait for medical evacuation at the
helicopter landing zone near the treatment center.
One of the patients Swanson treated was a woman with a large infected
abscess above her left eye. He cleaned and disinfected the wound and gave
the woman antibiotics.
"She came back the next day 100 percent better, so happy. She came to find
me immediately, gave me a hug, and said, 'Thank You very much,'" said
Swanson.
Other minor surgeries included a woman with a large cyst on her chin and a
man with an abscess in his knee. "The big thing is the people know we're
there," added Swanson. "No matter if [their injury] is earthquake related or
not, they come to us because they know we're going to take care of them."
Killick was previously a minor first aid station. It is now used as a
treatment center and operating room for minor surgeries. The center treats
more than 150 patients a day, providing them with medical care or evacuating
them to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) for more intensive care.
Underwood Sailors treated more than 130 patients and performed 15 minor
surgeries.
"I did what I could to comfort those in pain, especially the women and
children," said Yeoman 1st Class (SW/AW) Jeremy Campbell. "There was not
much pain medicine to go around, so a hand to hold and a hug was all I could
give. What was obvious to me was the thankfulness in their eyes. There was a
graciousness and hope that cannot be overstated, and it is something that I
will carry with me forever. Helping the Haitians is undoubtedly my finest
moment as a Sailor and an American."
The triage center at Killick Joint Operations Center was staffed by many
different organizations, including Sailors from USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44),
USS Higgins (DDG 76), Haitian caregivers, and doctors and nurses from
Mexico.
Ensign Angela Duran from Underwood served as a translator between ship
personnel and Mexican doctors.
"It was incredibly uplifting to see people from different services and
different countries, speaking different languages, coming together for the
common goal of helping the Haitian people in their time of need," said
Duran. "I feel privileged to have been able to be a part of that effort. I
will never forget this experience."
Chief Quartermaster (SW) Karl G. Miller was deeply affected by his
experience in Haiti. "It was an eye-opener. What you see on the news cannot
prepare you for the devastation that you walk into when you step off the
ship and onto shore. There was no end to the work that needed done or the
help that could be given," said Miller.
Underwood, from Mayport, Fla., is conducting humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief operations for Operation Unified Response under control of
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (NAVSO/C4F). NAVSO/C4F
is directing all naval assets and personnel in support of Joint Task Force
Haiti, the joint command element directing U.S. military capabilities
support to United States Agency for International Development and the U.N.
Stabilization Mission in Haiti. |
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Bataan Medical Delivers
Earthquake Miracle
Release Date: 1/31/2010 10:43:00 PM
By USS Bataan Public Affairs
USS
BATAAN, At sea (NNS) -- The medical professionals aboard the multipurpose
amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) successfully delivered 8 lb. 3
oz. Theo Joe, a baby boy, at approximately 4:40 p.m., Jan. 30 in the ship's
hospital, following a medial evacuation to Bataan from Grand Goave, Haiti.
A team of doctors and corpsmen from Bataan were volunteering at the Lifeline
Christian Ministries Mission Medical Clinic, in Grand Goave, when they
identified a pregnant Haitian woman, who had been laboring for nearly four
hours and needed urgent care exceeding the clinic's capabilities.
Bataan's team in Grand Goave ordered an evacuation of the patient to the
ship by way of an air cushion landing craft (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU)
4.
"Mom and her baby boy are doing great," said Cmdr. Michael Cackovic, the
delivering doctor, who is embarked aboard Bataan from Naval Medical Center,
San Diego. "The LCAC ride relaxed her enough to be able to give birth
naturally and safely."
Cackovic said the mother and baby are currently listed in stable condition
and recovering aboard Bataan.
Bataan is part of the Amphibious Relief Mission, along with USS Carter Hall
(LSD 50), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), in
support of Operation Unified Response in Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude
earthquake devastated the island nation Jan. 12. |
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Comfort
Cares for Man Buried Alive After 13 Days in Rubble
Release Date: 1/31/2010 10:47:00 PM
By Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Wilson, USNS
Comfort Public Affairs
PORT-au-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- A Haitian man survived with no food, sunlight
or human contact for 13 days was rescued from the rubble and is being
treated by medical staff aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship
USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), anchored off the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
While walking down a street in his neighborhood, a house fell on top of Rico
Duprevil Jan. 12 when a disastrous earthquake struck the country, trapping
his right leg, crushing his femur and dislocating his pelvis. Only a gap in
the cement enclosure and a pint-sized amount of water kept Duprevil alive.
"There was darkness all around, all of the time," Duprevil said. "I could
not move inside. I could hear distant voices but they could not hear mine."
The massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the Caribbean nation,
killing thousands and injuring countless more. In the aftermath,
Port-au-Prince is merely a widespread landscape of rubble with wandering
people constantly searching for food, water, employment or missing loved
ones among the debris and medical facilities.
"At this time in our lives, with God, anything is possible," Duprevil said.
"If the Lord wanted me to die, He would have decided to do so. Only God has
the solution for me." During a search of the area Jan. 25, townspeople found
Duprevil alive and in high spirits, managing to dislodge him.
"I was never scared because God was on my side," Duprevil said. "I survived
by thinking of Him and praying. I thought about my family."
Carried to a local hospital, Duprevil received basic triage for his wounds.
On Jan. 26, the International Medical Surgery Response Team (IMSuRT),
assumed responsibility but was only able to place him in traction,
suspending his leg, hoping to realign the bone.
To receive the necessary medical care, medical evacuation was arranged the
following morning with the Navy and Duprevil arrived at a landing zone to be
screened for admission aboard Comfort.
"The facilities [in Port-au-Prince] could not handle this type of case so we
moved him to people that could help," said Richard Stephens, a flight nurse
for IMSuRT.
Capt. Richard Sharpe, on-scene medical commander from Comfort, performed a
medical evaluation on Duprevil and deemed it necessary to provide immediate
transport to Comfort for urgent medical care.
"Humans can go without nutrition for up to several weeks because the body
goes into 'starvation mode,'" Sharpe said. "It conserves calories while
vital organs start using other sources for energy."
After diagnosis, Sharpe requested an immediate airlift to Comfort. While
waiting, Duprevil spent his time singing songs with his wife, Nadine, and
watching two of his sons play with members of the IMSuRT staff. His other
son and two daughters were not in Port-au-Prince at the time of the
earthquake.
When the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter arrived, Duprevil was carried by
stretcher with the help of Sailors from Comfort and members of the Army 82nd
Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, who were providing ground
support for the helicopter to transport to Comfort.
Minutes later, the helicopter arrived on Comfort's flight deck. The hospital
ship is designed to quickly admit and evaluate inbound patients to begin
immediate treatment. Using the medical information collected on land by
Sharpe and his medical team, a full diagnosis followed and helped to move
Duprevil into the Orthopedics ward for the medical care he needed. Less than
one hour elapsed from Duprevil's departure from the medical screening
facility at Port-au-Prince to admission into the proper care ward aboard
Comfort.
"He is here on Comfort and will be receiving the surgery he needs," Sharpe
said. "He needs to have his femur repaired with hardware and this can only
be accomplished in our operating rooms. The surgical centers in
Port-au-Prince are not sterile enough since the earthquake to allow internal
fixation."
Comfort is equipped to support 1,000 patients on board, and is staffed by
more than 1,100 military, civilian and non-governmental medical personnel.
The hospital ship is deployed to Haiti as part of Operation Unified
Response, a multinational humanitarian effort to ease the pain and suffering
of the Haitian people during their critical time of need. |
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Freedom
Arrives In Mayport, Prepares For Maiden Deployment
Release Date: 1/30/2010 8:16:00 AM
By Lt. Ed Early, USS Freedom (LCS 1) Public Affairs
MAYPORT,
Fla. (NNS) -- USS Freedom (LCS 1), the Navy's first littoral combat ship (LCS),
arrived at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Jan. 26 to begin final preparations
for her maiden deployment.
While in Mayport, Freedom will undergo final counterillicit trafficking and
airborne use of force training and certification in preparation for expected
missions in the U.S. Southern Command/Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet Area of
Responsibility.
Readying for this deployment was a unique process for Freedom's Sailors.
Starting in November 2009, Freedom engaged in independent training and
certification exercises off the Virginia and Florida coasts, including
maritime security surge training for both the Blue and Gold Crews.
After completing a Continuous Maintenance Availability at Colonna's Shipyard
in Norfolk, Va., in mid-January 2010, Freedom got underway again for sea
trials to verify the integration of the Surface Warfare Mission Package and
aviation detachment with the core crew. Upon completion of a successful set
of trials and onload of deployment ammunition, Freedom sailed south to
Mayport to complete the final certification process and prepare for the
mid-February 2010 deployment.
"This deployment comes a full two years ahead of schedule," said Cmdr. Randy
Garner, commanding officer of Freedom's Gold Crew. "We are ready and eager
to get to sea, head south and show what Freedom and her crew are capable of
doing."
Freedom's deployment will be the first for the revolutionary LCS program,
whose ships are designed to handle mission sets that do not require the full
breadth and depth of capabilities of a traditional surface combatant.
Instead of the wide spectrum of combat capability inherent to those
platforms, an LCS will embark tailored mission packages (surface warfare,
mine countermeasure, anti-submarine warfare or maritime security) and an
aviation detachment to fulfill a specific mission set. These tailored
packages allow the LCS to fulfill several niche missions with a much smaller
crew and at less cost than larger surface combatants.
Additionally, the shallower draft of the LCS allows it to operate in many
areas where larger, deeper-draft combatants cannot venture.
The Sailors of Freedom's Gold Crew, some of whom served aboard the ship
before her commissioning, are eagerly anticipating her first operational
deployment.
"Absolutely – everyone's looking forward to this deployment," said Command
Master Chief Anthony Decker, who will be embarking on his last shipboard
deployment. "This is what these men and women get paid to do – not testing,
not trials, but actually doing real-world missions."
Freedom's deployment will conclude later this spring when she arrives in her
new homeport of San Diego. |
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Lincoln Strike Group Changes
Command
Release Date: 1/30/2010 7:06:00 PM
From USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
EVERETT,
Wash. (NNS) -- Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 held a change of
command ceremony aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Jan. 29.
During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Mark D. Guadagnini relieved Rear Adm. Scott
Swift as Carrier Strike Group 9 commander.
Swift served as commander of CSG 9 since Oct. 9, 2008. During his tour Swift
was instrumental in orchestrating and leading sustained operations in
support of the Navy's fleet response plan and U.S. 3rd Fleet's theater
security cooperation plan.
Also under Swift's leadership, Lincoln successfully completed a nine-month
planned incremental availability ahead of schedule, during which the ship
underwent a complete overhaul estimated at nearly $350 million.
In his farewell remarks Swift highlighted the support the people and civic
leaders of the Puget Sound, Wash., area have shown the Navy, as well as the
community and military leaders of nearby Canada.
"We receive tremendous support here in Puget Sound and it's because of their
leadership," said Swift.
Before ending his remarks Swift called Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Eric
Schmidt to the stage to express his gratitude for the dedication Schmidt has
given the Sailors of the Lincoln and to give away his final command coin as
CSG 9 commander.
Swift is scheduled to report to U.S. Pacific Command to serve as the
director of operations.
Vice Adm. Richard W. Hunt, commander, 3rd Fleet, was the guest speaker and
he reflected on the strong bonds Swift has forged with the local community.
Hunt noted the positive relationships Swift built within the Navy, Coast
Guard, community and with Canadian partners.
"Trust cannot be surged, trust must be built over time," said Hunt. "I rely
heavily upon [Swift] to forge relationships within the strike group and
within the community. These relationships have resulted in the Puget Sound
area warmly welcoming our Sailors into the community."
Guadagnini most recently hails from Chief of Naval Air Training, where he
served as commander since August 2007. During the ceremony he revealed his
top three guidelines: "winners have fun, take care of each other and be the
best."
Guadagnini said that not only does the Navy depend on the strike group,
coalition maritime forces do as well.
"We will be the best allies and partners to those who enjoy freedom of the
seas," said Guadagnini.
Aircraft carrier Lincoln is the flagship for CSG 9, which is homeported in
Everett, Wash. Lincoln Strike Group consists of Carrier Air Wing 2,
Destroyer Squadron 9 and its associated ships USS Cape St. George (CG 71),
USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Momsem (DDG 92), USS Halsey (DDG 97), USS Sterett (DDG
104), USS Ford (FFG 54), USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) and USS Ingraham (FFG
61). |
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Prospective Commanding Officers Complete First SOSMRC Course
Release Date: 1/30/2010 11:04:00 AM
From Naval Surface Force Public Affairs
NEWPORT,
R.I. (NNS) -- Prospective commanding officers (PCOs) completed the academic
portion of the first Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Course (SOSMRC)
at the Surface Warfare Officers' School in Newport, R.I. on Jan. 29.
SOSMRC is an updated version of a 13-week course that was offered in the
1980s and 90s. The course is focused on providing PCOs and prospective
executive officers with core knowledge and skills such as damage control
procedures and equipment operation, material self-assessment and shipboard
safety requirements, to be better prepared for their upcoming command.
The first class included 29 officers assigned to command guided-missile
destroyers and frigates, amphibious ships, mine countermeasures ships, or
coastal patrol craft. The training provided for the PCOs included
engineering and combat systems equipment fundamentals, damage control
fundamentals and readiness, instruction in maintenance management and safety
programs, and engineering and combat systems program management.
The intent of the course is to better prepare PCOs in self-assessing the
material condition and readiness of their future command. The classroom
portion of SOSMRC consisted of eight days of core fundamental lectures and
five full days on specifics of the type of ship they will command. The PCOs
also had two full days of maintenance university, where they reviewed, and
refined, their skills of maintenance management.
Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic Fleet and
the Surface Force Chief Readiness Officer, spoke to the group and emphasized
the importance of SOSMRC – not only for their own professional development
and preparation for their next assignment, but to teach their future crews
the abilities and importance of self-assessment.
The PCOs toured USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) which was in Newport to assist
with this new training endeavor. The students spent time on board refining
their zone inspection skills and discussing their class and command issues
with the Arleigh Burke's commanding officer.
Although the PCOs have completed their classroom instruction in Newport,
they will have another week to visit the waterfront in Norfolk, San Diego,
or Mayport –depending on their ship types. This week will provide
opportunities for them to discuss maintenance and readiness issues with
appropriate class readiness squadrons and other commands they will be
dealing with in the near future.
Most importantly, this week will provide time for these future commanding
officers to go to sea with ships similar to the ones they will command to
hone their readiness assessment skills they have learned in the classroom. |
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Bataan Provides Vital
Link to Haiti Relief
Release Date: 1/28/2010 3:02:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samantha Robinett,
USS Bataan (LHD 5) Public Affairs
USS BATAAN,
At Sea (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5)
successfully completed a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) with USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE
2) Jan. 27, receiving approximately 170 pallets to support Operation Unified
Response.
The relief supplies have been quickly moving into Haiti from Sacagawea and
USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) where they're brought ashore by amphibious ships
like Bataan operating off the coast.
The supplies are ultimately distributed to the people of Haiti through close
coordination with the government of Haiti, USAID, the Department of State
and the United Nations.
"It's amazing," said Lt. Andre Trofort, a chaplain aboard Bataan. "There has
been a great response, not just from the United States, but from the world.
It feels good to know that there are so many people backing us up at home.
It is affirming me that we are doing a good thing."
Supplies delivered by Bataan Jan. 27 included 80 pallets of
meals-ready-to-eat, 16 Red Cross pallets of clothing, canned food and
diapers and 70 Project Hand Clasp pallets of medical supplies, hygiene
supplies and blankets.
Since Bataan arrived in Haiti to support Operation Unified Response, the
ship has received more than 1,000 pallets of food and other items, helping
to facilitate relief efforts.
"It's important that we bring these items on board for the Haitian
community," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (SW) Sanford Darlington.
Darlington said the supplies are not only helping the people of Haiti but
helping to fuel the Sailors and Marines on board through their efforts
ashore.
Bataan moves relief supplies ashore by way of air cushion landing craft,
landing craft utility boats and helicopters to support the overall relief
efforts in Haiti.
Bataan, USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and USS Gunston
Hall (LSD 44) are supporting Operation Unified Response as the Amphibious
Relief Mission, providing military support capabilities to civil authorities
and to help stabilize and improve the situation in the wake of this
disaster. |
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Navy Leads Haitian Harbor
Assessment
Release Date: 1/28/2010 3:11:00 PM
From Naval Sea
Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- Naval Sea Systems Command's Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV)
embedded with Commander, Task Group 42.1 on board USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) Jan.
18 to support port clearance and harbor re-opening in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
The surveys are part of the U.S. Navy's disaster response to the 7.0
earthquake that struck Haiti Jan. 12. Cargo has begun flowing through
Port-au-Prince's south pier terminal. Assessments of the pier and fuel
terminal structures and approaches are ongoing.
SUPSALV's efforts, in conjunction with Mobile Diving Salvage Unit 2 and
Underwater Construction Team 1, are designed to restore harbor operations as
quickly as possible, enabling humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to
be provided in support of Operation Unified Response.
SUPSALV is responsible for all aspects of ocean engineering, including
salvage, diving, oil pollution response, underwater ship repair, towing and
heavy lift. |
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Operation Unified
Response Support Flows Nonstop
Release Date: 1/28/2010 8:22:00 AM
By Kaylee LaRocque, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public
Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville civilian
and military personnel have been working nonstop at the airfield palletizing
thousands of pounds of materials for shipment to Haiti as part of Operation
Unified Response.
As of Jan. 26, NAS Jacksonville personnel have filled 22 C-130s Hercules, 11
C-40s Clippers, seven Boeing 747s and one C-17 Globemaster III with 2.3
million pounds of water, food, medical supplies, tents and radios for the
relief effort in Haiti following an earthquake Jan. 12.
"Since we began supporting Operation Unified Response, we've unloaded
approximately 60 semi trucks filled with water, humanitarian daily rations,
tents and medical supplies and have spent days preparing them for transport
and loading them onto cargo planes headed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, and then on to Haiti," said Doug Chaney, NAS Jacksonville airfield
facilities manager. "We are also supporting personnel transports to Cuba,
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and Haiti. VRC 30 (Fleet Logistics Support Squadron
30) has been in and out of here continuously to support the Vinson. And now,
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is off the coast conducting workups so we are
supporting the aircraft for their training. That plus all the C-130s coming
in from National Guard units all over the country, the C-17s and 747s, we
are extremely busy."
"We are working extremely close with the airfield manager at Guantanamo Bay
so we don't inundate them with aircraft. We have become their holding ramp
until we're cleared to send the cargo planes south. We are also trying to
stay ahead of the game by having pallets ready to go when the aircraft
arrive here so they leave with full loads. This has been a huge challenge
with cargo issues and coordinating all the flights," continued Chaney.
"But, the NAS Jacksonville team has stepped up to help with this mission.
They've pulled together and are helping in any way they can. We have no idea
how long this will last, but we'll do what we need to in support of the
relief efforts," added Chaney. "We've been working hand-in-hand with Defense
Distribution Depot Jacksonville personnel who have been awesome. They've
provided me with forklifts, drivers, pallets, strapping and anything I need
to get the job done – all I have to do is make a call."
Chaney was also quick to mention the military members helping with the
mission.
"Sailors from various departments and tenant commands have been extremely
busy building pallets and helping in any way they can. It's taking a toll,
but this is when we are at our best," he said.
NAS Jacksonville Sailors and civilians work diligently to get the job done
in order to get supplies to those in need. Sam Brown, NAS Jacksonville Air
Operations Department airfield facilities division cargo handler, has been
working long hours unloading trucks and loading numerous aircraft in support
of the relief efforts.
"We have a good supervisor here and don't have too much stress. We know what
needs to be done and we do it no matter how long it takes or how many trucks
come in to be unloaded. However, I wish I was in Haiti," said Brown.
Chief Logistics Specialist (AW/SW) Reuben Amarh from U.S. 4th Fleet has been
working at NAS Jacksonville since Jan. 15, helping coordinate the loading of
the cargo planes.
"We just keep loading these aircraft with materials until the mission is
accomplished. The people here have really been great palletizing the items,
moving the pallets and loading the aircraft. Everything has been running
pretty smoothly," said Amarh.
A team of air traffic controllers from NAS Jacksonville's Air Department
work to keep the aircraft continually coming and going in a safe, efficient
manner.
"NAS Jacksonville Air Traffic Control Division has had to step up manning
levels to handle the increase of air traffic operations in support of Haiti
relief efforts. The airfield is supporting these efforts 24 hours a day,
seven days a week," said Lt. Michael Fahnestock from NAS Jacksonville's Air
Department.
"What is challenging is that the controllers are working with an increase of
larger aircraft such as Boeing 747s, C-130s and C-40s, which require more
landing/departing separation between aircraft due to wake turbulence
criteria. These additional operations are taking place along with our normal
operations; however, with the experience staff on duty, there have been
minimal delays," said Fahnestock.
So until the mission is complete, NAS Jacksonville personnel will continue
to work together to support the Navy's participation in Operation Unified
Response. |
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Seabees
Departing to Support Haiti Relief Operations
Release Date: 1/28/2010 1:45:00 PM
By Rob Mims, Naval Construction Battalion Center
GULFPORT,
Miss. (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7
homeported at the Naval Construction Battalion Center hin Gulfport departed
Jan. 26 on board Air Force C-17 aircraft to support relief operations in
Haiti after a 7.0 earthquake devastated the city of Port-au-Prince.
"The Seabees from NMCB 7 are eager to get boots on the ground in Haiti to
start performing their assigned mission, said Cmdr. Jayson Mitchell,
commanding officer of NMCB 7. "They've refined their plans over the past
week and are poised to make an immediate and positive impact on a dire
situation."
This flight is the first of four aircraft which will be loaded with
personnel headed to Haiti to clear a path for aid coming into the country.
Seabees will join up with some 25 pieces of heavy equipment from U.S. Navy
Maritime Prepositioning Ship USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus (T-AK 3011).
"NMCB 7 has been tasked with rapid deployment of a tailored Air Detachment
in support of disaster relief/recovery operations in Haiti" said Mitchell.
"At this time, primary mission areas include route clearance and opening up
lines of communication in order to facilitate flow of incoming aid."
NMCB 7 was tasked Jan. 13 to provide support. Since then, personnel from
NCBC and the 20th Seabee Readiness Group has pulled more than 50 pieces of
civil engineer support equipment (CESE) and other non-CESE items from
warehouses and prepped it to fly out with the air detachment from the
battalion. Due to the lack of heavy lift aircraft and congestion at the
Haitian airports, the flight plans have changed.
The non-CESE and Seabees will still fly; however, now the CESE will be
placed on a ship. All told more than 690 short tons or roughly 1.38 million
pounds of cargo and personnel are ready to roll. Initial indications are the
air detachment will be in Haiti three to six months.
"The air detachment has been training extensively throughout the past 10
months in executing contingency construction and disaster relief operations
and I'm confident in their collective ability to accomplish such an
important mission," said Mitchell.
This tasking comes less than a month prior to the battalion's main body
deployment to Rota, Spain, the Horn of Africa and several other locations in
Africa and Europe. Due to the surge in Afghanistan, NMCB 7, which was
originally scheduled to deploy for six months, will now deploy for
approximately 10 months.
Seabees are well-known for their humanitarian assistance and disaster
recovery efforts around the world, having recently provided support for
victims of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters.
Recent disaster recovery efforts include:
About 125 Seabees deployed to Pakistan from Okinawa to help clear roads and
remove debris to help relief workers get to isolated areas following the 7.6
magnitude earthquake that occurred Oct. 8, 2005.
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, nearly 3,000
Seabees provided invaluable support to local communities. They made
temporary repairs to more than 100 schools, removed 20,000 tons of debris,
cleared 750 miles of roads, and delivered more than 100,000 gallons of fuel
and water.
More than 135 Seabees deployed to Indonesia, Thailand and Sri-Lanka to
provide humanitarian support in the wake of the massive tsunami that
devastated the area in December 2004. |
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High-Speed Ferry
Ships to Support Haiti Relief
Release Date: 1/27/2010 8:17:00 PM
By Adrian Schulte, Military Sealift Command Public Affairs
NORFLOK,
Va. (NNS) -- High-speed ferry ships MV Huakai and MV Alakai are preparing to
sail to Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response to provide disaster
relief following the Jan. 12 earthquake.
Huakai and Alakai were originally built to serve as passenger and vehicle
ferries in Hawaii but were turned over to the Maritime Administration's
custody when the ferry service went bankrupt.
The ships will be under operational control of the Military Sealift Command
(MSC) during Operation Unified Response.
The ships' main tasks will be to transfer equipment and personnel in the
region. They are configured for the mission to each hold 450 tons of cargo
and 500 passengers and can travel at a sustained speed of 33 knots.
Huakai loaded a rapid port opening package, communications gear, fork lifts,
trucks, Humvees, supplies and other equipment at Fort Eustis, Va., Jan. 27.
Huakai will also carry personnel from the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element,
MSC's Expeditionary Port Unit Detachment and elements from the Army's 7th
Sustainment Brigade. Huakai got underway Jan. 27 and is scheduled to arrive
in Haiti Jan. 29.
Alakai is currently in Norfolk, Va., and is scheduled to get underway for
Haiti in the next several days.
Huakai and Alakai are two of 12 ships under MSC control mobilized to date in
support of humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti. These ships include
hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big
Horn (T-AO 198), rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51),
oceanographic survey ship USNS Henson (T-AGS 63), maritime prepositioning
ships USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus (T-AK 3011) and USNS Pfc. Dewayne T. Williams
(T-AK-3009) and dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2). In
addition, three ships have been activated from the Maritime Administration's
Ready Reserve Force to assist with the effort. When activated, these ships
will fall under operational control of MSC.
MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, merchant mariner-crewed ships
that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically
preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and
supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners. |
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USS Carl Vinson
Releases Haitian MEDEVAC Patients
Release Date: 1/27/2010 4:42:00 PM
From USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
USS CARL
VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) released three Haitian
patients Jan. 26 after they received treatment from the ship's medical
staff.
The three patients suffered from a variety of injuries sustained during a
7.0 earthquake that struck Jan. 12, including a new mother, a 16-year-old
boy, and a 75-year-old man.
The new mother had suffered a fractured pelvis and was malnourished and
dehydrated after she and her newborn were trapped for ten days in a
collapsed building before being rescued. The baby was able to survive by
breast-feeding from the mother and remained in Haiti until the mother was
treated and released.
The 16-year-old boy arrived onboard Carl Vinson after both his legs had been
amputated at a shore medical facility. After treating his injuries, the ship
provided him with clothes and a wheelchair before his flight back to Haiti.
The 75-year-old man suffers from Huntington's Disease and arrived aboard
Carl Vinson with injuries including lacerations and blunt trauma.
"I'm extremely proud of the entire [medical] department." said Cmdr. Alfred
F. Shwayhat, the ship's senior medical officer. "This was their time to show
everyone what they could do and they did it well."
"Usually medical supports the ship's personnel and operations- this time the
ship helped support medical." Shwayhat said. "Every Navy platform has to
plan for a humanitarian mission, and you never know when that event will
happen. We are still standing by, we're not finished yet."
Carl Vinson is conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
operations for Operation Unified Response under control of U.S. Naval Forces
Southern Command and U.S. Fourth Fleet (NAVSO/C4F). NAVSO/C4F is directing
all Naval assets and personnel in support of Joint Task Force Haiti, the
joint command element directing U.S. military capabilities support to USAID
and the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti. |
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Bataan Receives First
Landing Craft MEDEVACs
Release Date: 1/27/2010 4:38:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julio Rivera
USS BATAAN,
At Sea (NNS) -- Multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5)
received patients medically evacuated from Haiti by air cushion landing
craft (LCAC) Jan. 26.
Earlier that morning, Bataan had sent a six-person team of doctors and
corpsmen, along with relief supplies, on an LCAC to the Lifeline Christian
Ministries Mission Medical Clinic, in Grand Goave, Haiti, to assist Doctors
Without Borders with the care of local Haitians requiring medical
assistance.
"They provide good care, and the people of Haiti know that," said Senior
Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/AW) Huben Phillips, Bataan's medical department
leading chief petty officer. "Since the earthquake, the amount of patients
flowing in has been more than they can handle. We wanted to help with that."
Phillips and his team immediately began treating patients, and he quickly
realized there were four who needed more attention than the clinic could
offer.
"I knew they needed the next level of care," said Phillips. "I knew where
that care was and how to get them there."
Phillips knew the quickest way for his patients to receive the necessary
care wasn't waiting for a helicopter, it was loading them into the nearby
LCAC and bringing them to Bataan, sailing just off the coast.
He called the LCAC crew from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4, and the team safely
transported the patients to the well deck of Bataan.
"We hadn't done that before," said Phillips.
The cycle of well deck operations that begins shortly after the crew comes
to life at 6:00 a.m. and lasts well into the night, has brought pallets upon
pallets of relief and aid to the people of Haiti, but this is the first time
the people of Haiti have been brought by LCAC directly to the aid.
"We do what we can, get rest when we can, and we work when we have to
because we still have to keep the LCACs running," said Chief Operations
Specialist (SW/AW) James Hay, the LCAC craftmaster who delivered the
patients to Bataan. "We were ready and waiting for them."
The medical evacuation was an unprecedented team effort and a reminder of
the important work Bataan has been a part of during Operation Unified
Response.
"Something like this doesn't happen every day, but nothing we're doing out
here is business as usual," said Capt. Sam Howard, Bataan's commanding
officer."Our Sailors on the ground in Haiti saw four people in need of
urgent medical care, and they brought them to our medical team the fastest
way they knew how. There was no panic; there was no second guessing; they
just got the job done, and they did it together."
Phillips said corpsmen and doctors aboard Bataan will continue to volunteer
where they're needed.
"We're here to support. We're here to help."
Bataan is part of the Amphibious Relief Mission, along with USS Carter Hall
(LSD 50), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), in
support of Operation Unified Response in Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude
earthquake devastated the island nation Jan. 12. |
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Navy Ships Provide
Critical Resources in Haiti
Release Date: 1/27/2010 4:34:00 PM
By Iam Graham, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- The Navy continues to play a major role in the Defense Department's
efforts to help the people of Haiti, a senior naval officer said Jan. 27.
The Navy is providing hospital ships and off-shore sea bases of operation
for Marine Corps units working on the ground, and is carrying millions of
pounds of food, medical equipment and other supplies to help the Haitian
people recover from the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated the island
nation, Navy Rear Adm. Ted N. Branch, commander of Carrier Strike Group 1
aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), told participants in a "DoDLive" blogger's
roundtable.
The Navy is a small part of a broad international effort in Haiti, working
in conjunction with dozens of non-governmental organizations, international
groups and the Haitian government itself, Branch said. Because some of those
organizations have worked in Haiti for years on other humanitarian missions,
he added, they are familiar with local customs.
"What we're striving to do, and being able to do in many cases, is partner
with [other organizations] and let them tell us the best places for relief
distribution, the best contacts we need to make in the local community and
local government and use their experience to our best advantage," Branch
said. "We get them into the process and we keep them in the process [of
providing aid and supplies]."
Fostering relationships among the sailors, Marines, civilian aid workers and
Haitian population is central to the relief effort, Branch said. Creating an
environment the Haitians can uphold when no more aid is needed is one of the
primary goals for the Navy and for the operation as a whole, the admiral
said.
"Obviously, we're working here as an international team – we're working
through the [United Nations] and through the government of Haiti," Branch
said. "The objective is to make sure the Haitian people are able to sustain,
and the organizations that are helping them in that effort are fully in the
mix, and in the lead, as we go forward."
So far, Branch's strike group has performed 1,979 flights, nearly 1,600 of
which were mission-related operations, delivering personnel and supplies.
Medical evacuations made up 375 of the sorties.
These flights made up "the bulk of the vertical lift used" in the Navy's
effort, he said.
Branch said the Navy as a whole has brought more than a million pounds of
cargo to Haiti, including 87,000 gallons of water, nearly 162 tons of food,
345,400 pounds of medical supplies, 75 tons of support equipment and 3,300
people to help in relief efforts.
Branch's group - which consists of 12 ships deployed to Haiti, including the
Carl Vinson Strike Group ships, the USS Nassau (LHA 4) and USS Bataan (LHD
5) Amphibious Ready Groups and the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) - is
expecting a lengthy deployment. While no estimates have been given regarding
the duration of operations in Haiti, it's been made clear by many officials
that Operation Unified Response Haiti won't be a quick turnaround.
As long as they're needed, Branch said, his ships will stay there to help.
"We'll continue performing the missions and supporting the functions we've
done since we arrived," he said. "In the 12 days we've been here, we've seen
a lot of improvement, and we're still making a difference. Today is better
than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better than today." |
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U.S. Postal Service to Honor Four Distinguished Sailors with Special Stamps
Release Date: 1/27/2010 2:47:00 PM
From Naval History and Heritage Command Public Affairs
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- The U.S. Postal Service will issue "Distinguished Sailors stamps"
Feb. 4 to honor four Sailors who served with bravery and distinction during
the 20th century.
William S. Sims, Arleigh A. Burke, John McCloy, and Doris Miller were
selected for the honor.
The stamps will be unveiled in a ceremony at a First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony
to be conducted at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Vice Adm. William S. Sims served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces in
European waters during World War I. He was an outspoken reformer and
innovator who helped shape the Navy into a modern fighting force. After his
service, Sims continued to write and lecture about naval reform until his
death in 1936, at which time the New York Herald Tribune declared that he
had "influenced our naval course more than any man who ever wore the
uniform." The Navy has named three destroyers after Sims. The most recent,
USS W.S. Sims (DE-1059), was commissioned in 1970.
According to the Postal Service, the William S. Sims stamp features a detail
from a photograph of Sims (1919). Beside the photograph is a depiction of
the crest of the destroyer escort USS W. S. Sims (DE-1059), which was
commissioned in 1970.
Adm. Arleigh A. Burke was one of the top destroyer squadron commanders of
World War II. He had an equally distinguished post war career in which he
played a major role in modernizing the Navy and guiding its response to the
Cold War.
When Burke died in 1996, he was hailed as a "Sailor's Sailor" who defined
what it meant to be a naval officer: "relentless in combat, resourceful in
command, and revered by his crews."
The Arleigh A. Burke stamp features a detail from a photograph of Burke
(1951). Beside the photograph is a depiction of the crest of the guided
missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), which was commissioned in 1991
as the first in a whole class of destroyers.
Lt. Cmdr. John McCloy was described by a shipmate as "like a bull" who
couldn't be stopped. He has the distinction of being one of the few men in
the nation's history to earn two Medals of Honor for separate acts of
heroism.
McCloy retired from active duty in 1928 after a 30-year career in the Navy
and "a lifetime of service on all the seven seas," and died in 1945.
In 1963, the Navy commissioned a destroyer escort, USS McCloy (DE-1038),
which was named in his honor.
The John McCloy stamp features a detail from a photograph of McCloy (circa
1920). Beside the photograph is a depiction of the crest of the destroyer
escort, USS McCloy (DE-1038), which was commissioned in 1963.
Petty Officer Doris Miller has been given the title of "the first African
American hero of World War II." Miller became an inspiration to generations
of Americans for his actions at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Although he was only the first of a number of African Americans to be
recognized for their heroism in World War II, Miller is singularly
remembered for providing inspiration to a campaign for equal recognition and
opportunity for blacks in the military, a campaign that bore fruit in 1948
when then-President Truman ordered "that there shall be equality and
opportunity for all persons in the Armed Forces."
The Doris Miller stamp features a detail from a photograph of Miller (1942).
Beside the photograph is a depiction of the crest of the destroyer escort
USS Miller (DE-1091), which was commissioned in 1973. |
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USS Samuel B. Roberts Departs
Congo
Release Date: 1/26/2010 4:27:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Terry Spain/
USS Samuel B. Roberts Public Affairs
POINTE-NOIRE, Congo (NNS) -- USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) departed the
Republic of the Congo Jan. 26 after a seven-day Africa Partnership Station (APS)
West port visit.
Sailors trained side-by-side with members of the Congolese Navy on small
boat maintenance and handling, automatic information system (AIS),
technology, and combat-lifesaving.
"I'm glad I was able to help train members of the Congolese Navy in first
aid. Many of them have never done CPR. Hopefully with the training they
received they can share [what they learned] with their counterparts and help
save lives," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Travers Leger.
During the visit, Sailors also completed two community relations (COMREL)
projects including renovations of Pointe-Noire II High School and Diosso
Primary School.
"We were very well received at each of the COMREL sites. More than 100
Sailors volunteered for the COMRELs, which we completed in two days," said
Lt. j.g. Jonathan Black, command chaplain aboard Samuel B. Roberts. "The
best part of the COMREL was knowing that we were able to make people's lives
better."
Samuel B. Roberts delivered two pallets of medical and hygiene supplies to
Complex Creche Garndere de Voumvon, a local orphanage, during a Project
Handclasp cermeony attended by Cmdr. Chuck Sellers, commanding officer of
Samuel B. Roberts and Alan Eastham, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of the
Congo.
Samuel B. Roberts also hosted a reception for distinguished guests,
including Eastham, Prefect of Pointe-Noire Honore Packat, Mayor of
Pointe-Noire Roland Bouity Viaudo and Military Region Commander Gen. Rene
Boukaka.
After the reception, Sailors enjoyed the food, culture and tours, as well as
a friendly game of soccer against the Congolese Navy team.
"I really enjoyed the country. The people were really nice, and the embassy
did an outstanding job organizing events for us. We had a chance to play
soccer with one of their professional teams. The experience was great," said
Operations Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Englert.
Samuel B. Roberts has provided training exercises and COMREL projects to
many West African countries as a part of APS West, to include Gabon, Sierra
Leone, and Senegal. APS is an international initiative developed by Naval
Forces Africa to improve maritime safety and security with African partner
countries.
Samuel B. Roberts is a guided-missile destroyer homeported in Mayport, Fla.
The ship is on a scheduled deployment to the 6th Fleet Area of
Responsibility. |
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Commodore Conveys Gratitude for Multinational Effort in Haiti
Release Date: 1/26/2010 4:29:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Wilson,
USNS Comfort Public Affairs
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- The commodore of Combined Task Group 41.8, in
port off the coast Haiti, expressed gratitude and appreciation for the men
and women dedicated to the support of the battered nation in the
multinational relief effort named Operation Unified Response Jan. 24.
Haiti was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake Jan. 12 that left more
than 100,000 dead and innumerable more in need of food, water and medical
supplies.
"This is a mission we can all be proud of," Capt. Rodelio Laco said. "This
group helping Haiti is composed of military, civilian, non-governmental
organizations and medical personnel from around the world. We all should be
proud of the assistance that we have been able to give to the Haitian
people. It will take all of these organizations to make a dent in this
situation."
Laco said this has been his most rewarding tour of duty in over 25 years of
naval service. Currently, his charge is the mission of the Military Sealift
Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), tasked to provide medical care
for the uncountable many who were injured during the initial earthquake and
its aftershocks.
"We are here to help. Comfort was in Haiti last year and we are here to help
friends during difficult times," Laco said. "Everyone is here to help."
Comfort was undergoing repairs in Baltimore Jan. 14 when President Barack
Obama issued the executive order to get underway to assist in this
humanitarian mission. The ship left only three days later.
"This is the quickest a group has ever come together. The mission is hard
work and there is much to do but it's uplifting," Laco said. "I have heard
no complaints [from the crew of the Comfort]. I am proud of everyone on
board. Everyone has an important job and we cannot accomplish our mission
without everyone continuing to contribute their time and efforts."
"Comfort has never been tested like this before," said Capt. Larry Jackson,
Laco's chief of staff. "It is awe-inspiring how every able-bodied person has
risen to the challenge."
Laco said the response from the people of Haiti has been overwhelmingly
positive. The optimistic attitude of the Haitians is driving the
multinational effort to work hard and to achieve more in a shorter period of
time.
"I cannot stress enough that this is not one group taking the lead, it is a
worldwide network of friends that will help," Laco said. "Without the
participation of everyone, we cannot succeed." |
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Center for Surface Combat Systems Provides Training to Support Navy's Newest
Ship
Release Date: 1/26/2010 4:28:00 PM
From Center for Surface Combat Systems and Naval Education
and Training Command Public Affairs
PENSACOLA,
Fla. (NNS) -- Six years of training program development came to fruition
when the second ship in the revolutionary Littoral Combat Ship class, USS
Independence (LCS 2) was commissioned in Mobile, Ala., Jan. 16.
The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS), part of the Naval Education
and Training Command (NETC), played a significant role in the ship's
development by leading the LCS Program training plan that will enable the
ship's crew to conduct global operations in support of the Maritime
Strategy.
A 419-foot aluminum trimaran, Independence is the first of its design in the
surface fleet. The ship is part of an innovative manning construct that
reduces crew size, demanding each Sailor maintain high levels of proficiency
in multiple fields. Although about the same physical size as a traditional
Navy frigate with a crew of 200, the Independence is staffed by a crew of
only 40 Sailors that can be augmented by detachment specialists for specific
missions.
"LCS is the future of our surface Navy," said Vice Adm. D. C. Curtis,
commander, Naval Surface Forces. "This program will complement the strengths
of larger warships. LCS will be a deterrent of green and brown water
threats; the flexibility, versatility, and smart design of Independence make
it well suited for joint operations."
"The development of LCS training to enable the ship's capabilities has truly
been a cross-enterprise project," said Capt. Stephen Hampton, the second of
two CSCS commanding officers to oversee the LCS training project. "Capt.
Roger 'Rick' Easton, who I relieved, was the first. He and our CSCS team
laid the groundwork for the new LCS training construct, definitions,
requirements, and training pipelines. My challenge has been to take the
foundation that Capt. Easton laid, and refine those training requirements,
as well as introduce system-centric procedures that can be measured with
qualification metrics, measures, and standards. It was critical to identify
training systems that support a continuum across the range of required
maintenance, operations, and employment skills and abilities so that our
Sailors are prepared to fight and win."
To ensure LCS Sailors are well-prepared to operate their revolutionary
platforms, an LCS training pipeline was developed to teach fundamental
systems knowledge. The pipeline is already proving effective for the crew of
USS Freedom (LCS 1), scheduled to deploy next month a full two years ahead
of schedule. LCS systems training commenced for Independence's rotational
blue and gold crews in 2005.
Since the inception of training, CSCS learning sites have provided
operations, combat, and weapon systems training totaling more than 2,900
training days to Independence crewmembers. This equates to more than
one-fourth of all the training received by Independence crewmembers.
A Train-to-Qualify (T2Q) process was defined that connects the initial LCS
training model to Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS). T2Q is a new
concept for the surface force that shifts qualification training from the
ship to shore training, meaning that LCS Sailors report aboard ready to
stand their watch and execute assigned duties.
"LCS 2 PQS is different from PQS on traditional ships, by removing
subjectivity," said Hampton. "It employs Objective Measures, Metrics and
Standards (OMMS) that require trainee performance to be measured against
specific criteria and specific procedure. OMMS ensures that each trainee
achieves a common standard that results in the LCS commanding officers and
fleet leadership having confidence in the abilities of the new personnel
they receive."
The LCS Shore-Based Training Facility (SBTF), a simulator operated by CSCS,
is the final step in the LCS Train to Qualify process. Robert Shifflet,
director of training at facility, and his team of nine instructors
administer LCS Capstone Training.
"The training is unique," said Shifflet. "The simulator is designed to look
and feel like an LCS ship's bridge while maneuvering at sea. It integrates
synthetic radar scenarios with a corresponding video display that creates a
very life-like tactical training environment for Integrated Command Center
(ICC) and bridge watchstanders.
"The fully integrated training is the first of its kind in surface warfare,"
added Shifflet. "It is unique in that it delivers bridge and ICC coordinated
command and control procedures for platform, system, and people employment."
"The LCS class training structure, training system approach, and training
process, particularly the development of high fidelity SBTFs in the Fleet
Concentrate Areas (FCAs) similar to that of the aviator and submarine
community, is a postitive step forward for the surface force," added
Hampton. "In the future, as the training matures, LCS Sailors will be ready
to operate and employ LCS systems against a more realistic set of scenarios;
perhaps better than any other class in surface ship history." |
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USS Eisenhower Relieves USS Nimitz to Continue Navy Support to Coalition
Troops in Afghanistan
By USS Eisenhower and USS Nimitz Public Affairs
January 26, 2010
GULF OF OMAN - The
Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) relieved the Nimitz Carrier Strike
Group as Commander, Task Force 50 Jan. 25.
"The Eisenhower
Strike Group is ready to support any requirement for troops on the ground in
Afghanistan and execute the U.S. Maritime Strategy in the region," said Rear
Adm. Phil Davidson, Commander, Eisenhower Strike Group.
"The Eisenhower,
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, and all the ships in the strike group are
committed and ready to continue the superb effort that Nimitz Strike Group
carried out to increase security and stability throughout the region."
"The Nimitz has
done an amazing job, and the Sailors aboard IKE are trained and ready to
fill behind them," said Capt. Dee Mewbourne, Commanding Officer USS Dwight
D. Eisenhower. "Taking over from Nimitz, we will continue to improve the
security and stability in this part of the world through the outstanding
professionalism of our Sailors."
The Nimitz Carrier
Strike Group has operated in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations since
Sept. 18. with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 aircraft flying more than 2,600
combat sorties and 15,296 cumulative flight hours in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom (OEF).
"I am very proud
of the Strike Group's support to coalition forces in Afghanistan, our
aircraft launched and executed with thoughtful precision, fused to the
directives of the supported commander," said Rear Adm. John W.
Miller, Commander,
Nimitz Strike Group. "I am equally proud of our contribution to
counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, protecting critical Iraqi
infrastructure in the North Arabian Gulf and the wide range of support
provided to ensure maritime security here.
"Through our
operations and training in 5th Fleet, we enhanced cooperative relationships
with our regional partners who are key to the Maritime Strategy," said
Miller.
Ships of the CSG
endeavored to create a lawful maritime order by deterring piracy, protecting
critical infrastructure and conducting Maritime Security Operations
throughout the region.
"Everyone in the
Nimitz-CVW 11 team contributed during our time here on the line," said Capt.
Paul O. Monger, Nimitz' commanding officer. "We generated a 99.62 percent
sortie completion rate for OEF, our aircraft were there for coalition forces
on the ground every day - that was due to the collective efforts of everyone
on board. We saved lives and helped bring security and stability in the
region."
Like Nimitz,
Eisenhower will provide 30 percent of the close air support missions flown
to protect coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan.
Eisenhower CSG is
comprised of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, embarked Carrier Air Wing 7, embarked
Destroyer Squadron 28, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Hue City. Ships
assigned to DESRON 28 include the destroyers USS Farragut, USS Carney and
USS McFaul. These ships will be assigned to tasks forces throughout the
region aimed at improving regional and maritime security.
Squadrons from CVW
7 include the "Puking Dogs" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, the "Jolly
Rogers" of VFA 103, the "Rampagers" of VFA 83, the "Wildcats" of VFA 131,
the "Night Dippers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 5, the
"Patriots" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the "Blue Tails" of
Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW)121 and the "Rawhides" of
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.
Helicopter
detachments include the "Proud Warriors" of Helicopter Anti-submarine
Squadron Light (HSL) 42 and the "Swamp Foxes" of HSL 44.
The Eisenhower
Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations
in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations are focused on reassuring regional
partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes
stability and global prosperity. |
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Bataan's First
'Miracle' Patient in Haiti Returns Home
Release Date: 1/25/2010 2:36:00 PM
By Ensign Caroline Hutcheson, USS Bataan Public Affairs
USS BATAAN,
At Sea (NNS) -- The medical team aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) said goodbye to
one of the first patients the team medically evacuated (MEDEVAC) in the
Haiti relief efforts Jan. 24, reuniting the nine-month-old boy and his
mother with their family in the vicinity of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Wilson Siere, flown with other rehabilitated patients to a receiving depot
ashore, gathered an affectionate following among the medical staff and
others during his time in the ward aboard Bataan.
"Everyone had some 'Wilson-time' built into their day," said Cmdr. William
C. Wallace, officer-in-charge of Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 8. "He was on the
(commanding officer's) regular schedule for a while."
The boy, extremely malnourished, dehydrated and suffering gastrointestinal
complications, was crawling around in the medical ward after only a few days
of treatment.
"Baby Wilson was our first miracle," said Senior Chief Corpsman Huben L.
Phillips, leading chief petty officer of Bataan's medical staff, and added
that the boy quickly became a part of the Bataan family. Phillips rescued
the child on a MEDEVAC mission to a small village outside Port-au-Prince,
where he was sent to find a young woman with pelvic fractures, who had
recently delivered a child who did not survive.
The team walked miles through fields after their vehicle could not make it
through the roads anymore. They found the woman in a gathering of adults
with foam mattresses for beds and sheets strung up as homes.
"Then someone said, 'Senior, you have to look at this baby,'" Phillips said.
"They put him in my arms, and he was lifeless."
An interpreter called the child's mother, and the team was back to Bataan
for the first emergency medical evacuation of the ship' relief efforts.
"He was so very lethargic and weak, dehydrated and starving, and today he is
the inspiration that lifts our spirits," said Senior Chief Corpsman Brian E.
Wenzel of FST-8. "He smiles, laughs, loves to touch your face and explore
his new friends."
Wenzel said the boy is developed at about a 6-month age but continues to
gain weight and remain alert.
"He survived one of the world's most horrific catastrophes and has served as
a reminder of the resilience and strength of these people even as an
infant," Wenzel said.
Once Baby Wilson was well enough to be transferred back to Haiti, the ship's
commanding officer, Capt. Sam Howard, asked Phillips if he would escort the
boy and his mother home.
The team transported Wilson and other patients to a landing zone manned by
non-government organization workers and joint military personnel, where vans
with interpreters transfer Haitians affected by the earthquake back to their
villages and towns.
Wilson will be reunited with his father and two older brothers.
It was an emotional goodbye for the medical team and everyone who had grown
to know the child.
"I said goodbye to him alone on the ship," Phillips said. "I told him I want
him to become a man who could affect change in the world. To be in a place
so desolate at this time, only a man of great character would arise."
Phillips said he held Wilson the entire helicopter ride to the island. He
handed the child to his mother and she looked at him, shaking her head with
tears streaming down her face.
"The interpreter turned to me, and said 'she just doesn't have the words.'" |
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Gunston Hall
Sailors Help Haitians in Quake Aftermath
Release Date: 1/25/2010 5:05:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) John
Stratton, USS Gunston Hall Public Affairs
KILLICK,
Haiti (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) have been providing
aid at the Haitian Coast Guard base to people affected by the earthquake
since Jan. 21.
"What we're doing ashore is awesome and is creating the conditions to
quickly and safely treat, and when needed, transfer wounded Haitians in need
of critical medical care," said Gunston Hall Command Master Chief Duke
Owings. "It's a big job, but my Sailors are up for the challenge."
Gunston Hall is one of many units sent to the region after a 7.0 magnitude
earthquake rocked the Caribbean island Jan. 12 to support Operation Unified
Response, the joint U.S. military operation providing humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief in Haiti.
Gunston Hall began transporting daily 40-man working parties ashore Jan. 21.
These Sailors fill a variety of jobs, including stretcher bearers,
watchstanders at the operations center, assisting the medical personnel, and
general housekeeping of the clinic to help it stay organized.
For many, it was their first glimpse into the devastation and into the
desperation of the injured to receive needed medical treatment.
"This is very overwhelming," said Quartermaster Seaman Joseph Johnson, from
Murietta, Calif. "You can never quite prepare yourself mentally for
something like this. We just got here and already I've made several litter
carries from the clinic to the landing zone."
While Sailors like Johnson help carry litters of wounded, others like Chief
Quartermaster (SW/AW) Deenicia Canty, from Lake City, Fla., make sure the
wounded are properly cared for while awaiting transport to USNS Comfort
(T-AH 20), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Bataan (LHD 5) or to civilian
hospitals.
"I have prior medical experience so what I've been able to do here is pass
out medication and change out bandages on an as-needed basis," said Canty.
"The other stretcher bearers are also trained to switch out bandages and
apply topical solutions to treat whatever wounds these people may have."
With the exception of those who are critically injured arriving at the
Haitian base, all needing treatment at the clinic must be taken to a triage
area and evaluated. Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Katrina Thomas, from
Austin, Texas, makes sure the lines at the triage check-in area run
smoothly.
Thomas said she was only there a few minutes when she realized how many
people she had already seen.
"It's very rewarding to know you've already made an impact, so early in the
day," stated Thomas.
Gunston Hall is conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
operations for Operation Unified Response under control of U.S. Naval Forces
Southern Command and U.S. Fourth Fleet (NAVSO/C4F). NAVSO/C4F is directing
all Naval assets and personnel in support of Joint Task Force Haiti, the
joint command element directing U.S. military capabilities support to USAID
and the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti. |
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USS Fort
McHenry Treats MEDEVAC Patients from Haiti
Release Date: 1/25/2010 2:45:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L.
Leslie, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East
NEPLY,
Haiti (NNS) -- The medical team aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS
Fort McHenry (LSD 43) treated five severely injured emergency medical
evacuees flown from Baie de Grand Goave, Haiti, Jan. 23.
Maintaining around-the-clock care, Fort McHenry's medical department
personnel stabilized all five critical-care patients who were injured during
the earthquake, one with life-threatening injuries, said Cmdr. Nate Moyer,
Fort McHenry's commanding officer.
"What the Fort McHenry medical team executed last night was nothing short of
exceptional," said Moyer. "When we take in patients from outside the
lifelines, we become increasingly stressed to meet the needs of our
critically wounded patients as well as still being able to meet the medical
needs of the crew. Our medical team last night was able to accomplish it
all."
In the early morning Jan. 24, the patients were stable enough to board an
MH-60S helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 for transport to a
larger medical facility.
Sea-based amphibious ready forces, like the ones aboard Fort McHenry, bring
added capabilities to aid the relief efforts in Haiti without taxing the
already strained infrastructure ashore.
The Fort McHenry team includes the ship's crew, members of the 22nd Marine
Expeditionary Unit, Assault Craft Unit 2, Beach Masters Unit 2 and Maritime
Expeditionary Security Squadrons (MSRON) 6 and MSRON 4. The group's
equipment is comprised of heavy-lift and utility helicopters, trucks and
humvees, assault amphibious vehicles and logistics capabilities to include
water purification and limited medical support to further enhance the
humanitarian relief efforts ashore.
Fort McHenry is currently participating in Operation Unified Response as
part of USS Bataan (LHD 5) Amphibious Relief Mission, providing military
support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the
situation in Haiti following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake Jan. 12. |
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Carter Hall Deck
Department 'Delivers" in Haiti
Release Date: 1/25/2010 2:41:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Hendrick
L. Dickson, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East
USS CARTER
HALL, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) arrived in Haiti Jan. 18 to
provide equipment, supplies and personnel from the ship to the beach and the
Haitian people in support of Operation Unified Response.
Deck department Sailors are responsible for getting the much-needed aid off
the ship in a timely and safe manner, utilizing Landing Craft Unit (LCU),
Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), helicopters or small boats.
"My Deck department is by far the best in the fleet. I'm extremely proud of
the Deck department," said Carter Hall Commanding Officer, Cmdr. George
Doyon. "They are the Sailors I depend on to make sure Carter Hall
accomplishes its mission. They are dedicated and motivated. I ask a lot from
them every time the ship leaves the pier, and they exceed my expectations
every time."
That job has never been more important than it is now, in the wake of the
7.0 earthquake in Haiti Jan. 12. The Navy has deployed 11 ships and more
than 8,000 Sailors in response to support the delivery of aid. Carter Hall
is one of the ships at the forefront of this operation.
"Every day is different," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Kyle R. Luna,
Deck department leading petty officer. "We never know what we're going to do
– flight operations, stern gate marriages, VERTREPs (vertical replenishment)
– we never know. There is really no need for a plan of the day. Whenever
they need something on the beach or have to send something here, our
department is ready to go."
"Every time we launch an LCU it feels good," said Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class
Qualls. "Because I know it's going to help some people. It's going to
brighten their day. We're saving lives and I'm proud of that."
It's been non-stop deck operations since Carter Hall arrived on station.
"My Sailors put in some long hours," said Luna, "but I haven't heard one
complaint. I believe that's because they know why we're here. That's why
they want to get the job done. They want to do what they have to do to
support."
"Everybody's tired and everybody would like a break," added Boatswain's Mate
2nd Class Terrance Hobbs, 2nd division leading petty officer. "But we have a
mission at hand and we've been tasked with completing that mission."
Carter Hall is supporting Operation Unified Response as part of the Bataan
Amphibious Relief Mission. Carter Hall, along with amphibious dock landing
ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and amphibious
assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), is participating in Operation Unified
Response, providing military support capabilities to civilian authorities,
stabilizing and improving the situation in Haiti. |
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Nassau Arrives in Haiti
Release Date: 1/24/2010 11:31:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Coleman Thompson,
USS Nassau Public Affairs
HAITI (NNS)
-- The amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) arrived off the coast of
Haiti on Jan. 23, and began providing humanitarian assistance immediately
when they received medical casualties from the earthquake-stricken nation.
Nassau was originally scheduled to deploy to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet
Areas of Responsibility to support Maritime Security Operations, however
after the recent earthquake that decimated the island nation of Haiti the
ship was tasked with assisting the U.S. forces already providing
humanitarian relief.
Immediately upon arrival at the port town of Port-au-Prince, several
patients were flown to Nassau and taken down into the ship's medical
department for treatment.
"I never dreamed I would do something like this when I was trained as a
stretcher-bearer," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Anuradha Sharma, a native of
Queens, N.Y., stationed on Nassau. "I feel terrible for what has happened to
Haiti, but I'm grateful I'm able to help in any way I can."
Providing this type of assistance is nothing new to Nassau, as she provided
aid to Galveston, Texas, after a hurricane hit the city in 2008.
"We've had a lot of training for humanitarian assistance," said Hospital
Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Steve Banner, a native of Bristol, Tenn. "I was on
board for Galveston, so I've had this experience before. In Haiti the
language barrier makes it a little more tasking, but my shipmates have
really stepped up and provided translators."
Nassau is deployed as part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group/24th Marine
Expeditionary Unit (NAS ARG/24MEU) in support of Maritime Security
Operations (MSO) and Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) efforts in the U.S.
5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility. The NAS ARG/24 MEU is comprised
of embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the
multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4), the amphibious dock
landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), and the amphibious transport dock ship
USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). |
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USS Los
Angeles Decommissions at the Port of Los Angeles
Release Date: 1/24/2010 11:20:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea A.
Radford, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
LOS ANGELES (NNS) -- After 33 years of patrolling the oceans,
USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) was decommissioned in its namesake city, Los
Angeles Jan. 23. The ceremony was held as a part of the five-day long Los
Angeles Navy Days.
Los Angeles is the fourth naval ship to be named after the City of Los
Angeles. The submarine's crest is recognizant of that, bearing four dolphins
representing the four ships.
President and co-founder of Navy Days Los Angeles Grant W. Ivey said, "It is
sad to see the Los Angeles go, but we are looking forward continuing our
ties with the Navy with the commissioning of the USS California."
During his remarks USS Los Angeles Commanding Officer Cmdr. Steve Harrison
said, "The Los Angeles is the 'first and the finest,' but her crew is her
metal that makes her great."
The oldest attack sub of the 45 remaining submarines of the 62 boat class,
Los Angeles received many honors, including eight Battle "E" awards, eight
Meritorious Unit Citations, and one Navy Unit Citation.
Los Angeles was launched on April 6, 1974 at Newport News Shipbuilding and
Drydock Company in Newport News, Va. and was commissioned on Nov. 13, 1976,
as the 67th attack submarine and the 109th nuclear powered submarine in the
U.S. Navy. In addition to 18 deployments, Los Angeles has participated in
four Rim of the Pacific multinational exercises, along with nine Eastern
Pacific underway periods.
As part of Commander, Submarine Squadron Seven, (CSS-7), the 360-foot
submarine completed its first Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment from
April 15, 1979 to June 6, 1979.
In 1992, Los Angeles temporarily changed her homeport to Mare Island Naval
Shipyard in Vallejo, Calif. in order to conduct an engineering refueling
overhaul. In addition to the overhaul, it received the latest
state-of-the-art sonar and fire control systems, as well as the Navy's
newest reactor controls equipment. After 31 months, the boat was returned to
operational status and moved back to Pearl Harbor in March 1995, and
attached to Submarine Squadron One.
Los Angeles concluded its last WESTPAC deployment Nov. 19, 2009. It is now
scheduled to be sent to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash.
for inactivation. Inactivation will include defueling the reactor and safely
disposing of the remainder of the submarine. |
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Navy
Aircraft Carrier Playing Major Role in Relief Efforts
Release Date: 1/24/2010 11:04:00 AM
By Christen N. McCluney, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson is playing a pivotal role for operations in support
of relief efforts in eathquake-striken Haiti.
"The people that come on here have broken bones and wounds. You just can't
imagine it unless you are here looking at it the number of people injured,"
Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey, commanding officer, USS Carl Vinson told bloggers
during a Jan. 23 "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable. "As long as there are
injured people needing our care we will stay here as long as it takes."
Before USNS Comfort arrived, the medical team of USS Carl Vinson conducted
initial triage of patients before providing life-saving medical and surgical
services.
The ship also serves an alternative landing site when the Comfort's landing
spots are full. Patients with critical needs are brought to the Vinson to
provide immediate assistance.
"We want to mitigate the suffering from the Haitian people from this
earthquake, so we are spread out trying to help as many people as possible."
The Carl Vinson also boasts a variety of helicopters that include 19 CH-53E
Sea Dragon helicopters and SH-60C Sea Hawk helicopters, that can be used for
a variety of purposes from transporting cargo and supplies to picking up
patients in small remote areas.
Lindsey discussed how a group in Michigan e-mailed the Carl Vinson and said
they had been contacted by personnel on an island outside of Port-au-Prince
that needed help. The Carl Vinson sent an aircraft to the island and found
an area for the SH-60 to land. The helicopter transported three casualties
from the island because they had the capability to land in such a small
area.
"We are probably doing 180 to 240 landings a day off of this ship," Lindsey
said. "The Sailors on the flight deck and in maintenance are doing the hard
work making sure they are getting into the country."
One of the main things the ship transports is medical supplies and water.
The ship has transported over 30,000 gallons of water. A group of Sailors on
his ship also created a water tree, where they took piping and created
spigots, and use the endless supply of water from the ship to fill
containers with water for those in need in Haiti. He said these Sailors
volunteered their time to do this and fill five-gallon jugs with water by
hand. Because of their volunteer efforts each helicopter that leaves the
ship has 32 of these jugs on flight.
Lindsey credits the success of the ship to the crew, including Creole
speakers who he says have been "enormously helpful" when airlifting
patients. "Having someone speaking their own language has been critical to
our success and has comforted patients," he said. "This again reflects our
Sailors."
"My Sailors on board, every one of them wants to go ashore to help them. I
have to tell them I would love for them to all go there, but I do need a few
of them to stay back on the ship to continue the operations here," he said.
"It's great to see such an outpouring of volunteerism from today's Sailor.
America should be very proud of the Sailors that they have. They're great
human beings."
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Merchant Vessel Repels Pirate
Attack
By Commander, Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs
January 24, 2010
MANAMA, Bahrain -
North Korea-flagged, Yemeni owned MV Napht Al Yemen 1 repelled a pirate
attack on January 20 in the Gulf of Aden near the Internationally
Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC).
The initial
distress call made by MV Napht Al Yemen 1, was received by US Navy destroyer
USS Pinckney (DDG 91), currently assigned to Combined Task Force (CTF) 151.
USS Pinckney immediately responded by sending a SH-60B Seahawk helicopter to
intercept the pirate skiff. However, the embarked security team on board
the MV Napht Al Yemen was able to repel the maritime piracy attack.
The suspected
pirate skiff was identified through the combined efforts of USS Pinckney's
helicopter as well as maritime patrol aircraft belonging to Combined Task
Force 465, which is part of the European Union forces in the Gulf. The
pirate skiff was subsequently stopped and boarded by the boarding team from
USS Porter (DDG78). This was the first successful boarding since the
Singapore Navy took over command of CTF 151, also on January 20.
Commander CTF 151,
Rear Admiral Bernard Miranda, Royal Singapore Navy applauded the efforts by
all parties in coordinating the response to the piracy attack. "Whilst the
primary responsibility for the security of merchant vessels lies with
industry, close coordination among all military forces operating in the
region is a critical factor in harnessing the capabilities of these forces
to respond to such incidents," Miranda said.
Commercial and
civilian vessels are strongly encouraged to incorporate counter-piracy "best
practices" to prevent acts of piracy when operating in dangerous waters.
Those best practices include maintaining a 24-hour lookout for suspicious
activity, reporting any suspicious activity to authorities, engaging in
evasive maneuvering and speed during a pirate attack, and contracting
civilian security teams. Embarked sucurity teams have proven to be the most
effective practice to defend against pirate attacks.
CTF 151 is a
multi-national task force established in January 2009 to conduct counter
piracy operations under a mission based mandate to actively deter, disrupt
and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure
freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations. It operates in the
Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia.
Combined Maritime
Forces (CMF), operating out of Bahrain, continues to urge mariners to employ
defensive measures when transiting the Horn of Africa,
Gulf of
Aden and the Indian Ocean. |
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Bataan
LCACs Land Ashore to Bring More Relief in Haiti
Release Date: 1/23/2010 10:43:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman 3rd Class Ash Severe,
USS Bataan Public Affairs
GRAND GOAVE,
Haiti (NNS) -- Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 Air Cushioned Landing Crafts (LCAC)
left the well deck of multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD
5) and arrived on the beaches of Haiti Jan. 22.
They brought 24 vehicles ashore for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
to carry relief supplies.
Opening the beach and bringing in vehicles to navigate the inferior roads
has relief flowing by air, land and sea.
"The efforts of the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission are an awesome display
of the Navy-Marine Corps team bringing relief to those in need," said Capt.
Thomas Negus, commodore, USS Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission. "It is truly
a 'Global Force for good.'"
The landing craft moved eight Light Armor Vehicles (LAV) and 16
High-Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles in seven trips by three LCACs.
With today's landing, ACU-4 is ready to continue to offload the 22nd MEU's
personnel and equipment.
"Right now we are standing by to offload the rest of the MEU and their
equipment. It's a process with a lot of moving parts, but now that (LCACs)
are able to help, it should go a bit faster." said Klimko.
Due to the LCAC's ability to carry large amount of personnel, supplies, and
vehicles, the landing craft's debut was a welcome addition to the relief
effort.
"We're glad to get in there," said Klimko. "A lot of good work has been done
on the air side, but we're glad to finally be using the landing side's
equipment and personnel."
Amphibious Relief Mission ships Bataan, USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS
Carter Hall (LSD 50) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) are deployed to provide
military support capabilities to civil authorities and to help stabilize and
improve the situation in the wake of this disaster.
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Carl
Vinson Touches Hearts, Saves Lives at Haitian Clinic
Release Date: 1/22/2010 6:11:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Candice
Villarreal, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
CARREFOUR,
Haiti (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17
medical personnel provided emergency medical assistance Jan. 21 to hundreds
of injured Haitian citizens at the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Clinic in
Carrefour, Haiti.
Sixteen Carl Vinson Sailors have been working closely with members of the
U.S. Army, Air Force and Coast Guard to treat almost 200 patients a day for
orthopedic injuries, fractures, blunt trauma, wound infections and burns.
"The earthquake made many people sleep in the street without [their]
families and people everywhere [were] very hurt," said Culdon J. Miguelsonn,
a Carrefour resident and translator for the U.S. military at Killick. "But
when we [saw] America come to help us, we slept with joyous hearts. People
[were] running and saying 'America is here! America is here!' and 'God is
good.'"
The clinic, swarmed with hundreds of injured earthquake patients daily whose
injuries ranged in severity, became a triage center and operating room
immediately after the military arrived. Helicopters performing medical
evacuations (MEDEVACs) from Killick transported nearly 150 of the most
severely injured patients to Carl Vinson, USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), USS Bataan
(LHD 5), Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Sacred Heart Hospital in northern Haiti.
"I think we are giving the people of Haiti a lot of hope in a time of
desperation," said CVW-17 Flight Surgeon Lt. Kristina Rogish. "We are doing
everything we can, around-the-clock, to show them the good will America has
for all in need, and they trust us to take care of them."
Victims' friends and family members carried patients in on makeshift
stretchers fashioned from doors, wheelbarrows, blankets and chairs for the
Sailors to treat. Food and water were distributed to patients awaiting
treatment, and chaplains prayed for and comforted Haitians of all ages.
"Seeing the patients smile and saying 'God bless you' touches us most," said
Rogish. "They're so appreciative."
Carl Vinson and CVW-17 arrived in Haiti Jan. 15 to support Operation Unified
Response by providing humanitarian aid and emergency assistance after a 7.0
magnitude earthquake rocked the island nation. Operation Unified Response is
a joint military operation providing U.S. military capabilities in support
of international relief operations in Haiti.
"The U.S. Navy's efforts in Haiti, and even Killick, have been profound,"
said Rogish. "We responded very quickly, redirected [from our original
course], and arrived in record time. In the end, though, it's the joint
effort between all branches of our military that have been crucial to every
success we continue to see."
Operation Unified Response is part of a larger U.S. response to a request
from the government of Haiti for urgent humanitarian aid. The U.S. military
is working closely with the Deptartment of State, U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) and the international community to provide
life-sustaining services to the people of Haiti. All military efforts are in
support of government of Haiti, USAID, and the U.N. Stabilization Mission. |
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Commander Discusses the Role of USS Bataan in Humanitarian Efforts
Release Date: 1/21/2010 3:59:00 PM
By Christen N. McCluney, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- USS Bataan (LHD 5) is in Haiti as part of the Bataan Amphibious
Relief Mission to participate in Operation Unified Response.
"We are pleased to be able to exercise our medical capability in support of
those who need it in Haiti," Capt. Samuel Charles Henry-Howard, commanding
officer of Bataan, told bloggers and journalists during a Jan. 20 "DoDLive"
bloggers roundtable.
Prior to diverting to Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response, the
ship returned from a seven-month deployment to 5th and 6th Fleet's Area of
Responsibility Dec. 8.
"We had just finished leave … resting up from seven months of deploy[ment],"
said Howard. "Late Tuesday evening, a decision was made for us to go to a
48-hour ready for sea, and by Wednesday morning we were directed to get
underway 36 hours thereafter."
Howard said that his crew is prepared to stay for the foreseeable future.
"We'll be here for as long as we're directed and happy to do so," said
Howard.
Along with the medical capabilities the Bataan offers, Howard added he has
six French Creole speakers and nearly a dozen sailors who speak French who
will assist when patients are brought aboard Bataan.
As of Jan. 21, the Bataan has 22 patients aboard the ship for medical care
and is establishing a triage process ashore so that they can bring aboard
earthquake victims that need a certain level of care.
The patients on the ship vary in age from a new born, whose cry was
extremely gratifying to the crew, to a 70-year-old woman who is being
treated and is resting comfortably after being found buried under rubble,
said Howard.
The ship has been augmented with 78 additional personnel for medical
services.
"We are currently getting them oriented, and they will join the medical
capacity we have shortly," Howard said. "When all medical personnel arrive
aboard the ship, we will have a team of 117 that will be able to fully
operate four operating rooms."
Howard said the purpose of the ship's mission in Haiti is to get things to
people the best way possible.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is also using the Bataan as its
headquarters and uses the flight deck of the ship to support helicopter
operations for an ashore relief distribution center.
"We are operating on flight deck 24 hours a day," Howard said. "All during
the day we are flying and accepting all comers."
Howard said that he has prepared his crew to be in Haiti until directed
otherwise.
"As more arms and legs are needed, we have an entire crew that is excited to
help," said Howard.
He also said that, for some Sailors, the mission is personal. Several crew
members are of Haitian descent, and they are continuing the mission in spite
of losing family members and having a personal tie to Haiti.
"We are pleased to be the arms and legs of the United States to join in the
international effort to help Haiti," said Howard. "This is the kind of thing
that makes being in the Navy extremely rewarding." |
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PWD GTMO Prepares Airfield to Support Logistics Mission in Haitian
Release Date: 1/21/2010 11:57:00 AM
From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast Public
Affairs
GUANTANAMO
BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast
engineers and support staff from Public Works Department (PWD) Guantanamo
Bay (GTMO) provided rapid assistance that made it possible to open McCalla
Field in GTMO, Cuba, Jan. 19 in support of Joint Logistics Hub GTMO.
Cmdr. Wendy Halsey, PWD GTMO officer-in-charge, and her team met with pilots
to determine what actions were needed to reestablish the windward side
airfield for helicopter operations.
"The team was able to mobilize the contractor, who worked street sweeping
operations overnight. We acquired and moved windsock in five hours and
coordinated with base security to enclave the site," said Halsey.
In a matter of only 18 hours, the team also cleared off bushes and trees
from the site, emptied nearby warehouses for staging operations, coordinated
forklifts for the airfield, acquired flight line vehicles, emptied warehouse
for crew workspace, set-up light carts and established a refueling point for
lights and forklifts.
U.S. Naval Station GTMO is serving as a hub for logistics and personnel
providing humanitarian assistance to Haiti in support of Operation Unified
Response. PWD GTMO provides facilities engineering and management, utilities
engineering and acquisition, technical support for facilities service
contracts and transportation and equipment management for the installation.
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USS Higgins
Supports Relief Effort from Coast of Haiti
Release Date: 1/21/2010 4:16:00 PM
From Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS)
-- Eight miles from Port Au Prince, Haiti, Sailors aboard San Diego based
USS Higgins (DDG 76) worked around the clock Jan. 20 to bring relief to
earthquake victims.
Higgins crew members are providing basic medical treatment at a joint field
hospital by carrying injured personnel to helicopters and overhauling
medical facilities to improve efficiencies.
Higgins also offered support to the hospital ship USS Comfort (T-AH 20) and
provided housing for the shore-based medical teams from USS Carl Vinson (CVN
70).
"Over the last two days, we have been asked to do everything from bandage
wounds to rearrange a facility to create an additional operating room," said
Command Master Chief Bobby Maddox. "Anything these Sailors have been asked
to do, they have stepped in and done it, and done it very well."
More than 10,000 Sailors and Marines are involved in the Haiti humanitarian
relief effort. Approximately 17 ships, including Higgins and USS Bunker Hill
(CG 52), also homeported in San Diego, 48 helicopters and 12 fixed-wing
aircraft are engaged in delivering relief supplies for distribution to
affected areas.
Higgins was diverted to Haiti while returning to San Diego from the
Mediterranean on the last leg of an around-the-world deployment that began
July 16. The ship and her 271-member crew arrived the day after the 7.0
magnitude earthquake.
"While we are anxious to see our families again," said Cmdr. Carl Meuser,
Higgins commanding officer. "As long as we are able to contribute and as
long as we are needed here, we are going to stay."
Higgins and Bunker Hill's assistance is part of what is expected to be an
extended and in-depth mission to assist the people of the earthquake-ravaged
region. |
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Coalition
Counter-piracy Task Force Changes Command
Release Date: 1/21/2010 4:23:00 PM
From Commander,
Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs
MANAMA,
Bahrain (NNS) -- Coalition counter-piracy unit Combined Task Force (CTF) 151
held a change of command ceremony aboard USS Hopper (DDG 70) while pierside
in Manama, Bahrain, Jan. 20.
Singaporean Navy Rear Adm. Bernard Miranda relieved U.S. Navy Rear Adm.
Scott E. Sanders, who has commanded the counter-piracy task force since Aug.
13, 2009.
Miranda is scheduled to join his flagship, the USS Farragut (DDG 99), in
Djibouti throughout the week of Jan. 25-29.
Having patrolled the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin for over 160 days,
Sanders marked the conclusion of a highly successful deployment at the
ceremony. During his tenure in command, CTF 151 helped coordinate the safety
of over 15,000 vessels transiting an area of water that covers roughly 1.1
million square miles. In order to accomplish this task, Sanders and his
staff held regular meetings and interactions with both coalition vessels and
independent deploying nations, such as China and Russia, to ensure the most
effective use of patrol assets.
Testament to the enhanced interaction amongst nations is the fact that CTF
151 and their international partners were able to ensure that less than .001
percent of these transiting ships became victims of the maritime crime of
piracy.
Speaking to the importance of international teamwork, Sanders said, "Our
collaboration at sea makes us infinitely stronger in the fight against
piracy ... Global maritime partnerships are at work each and everyday in the
Gulf of Aden."
Miranda assumed command Jan. 20 of the deployed staff, which is made up of
coalition personnel from a wide variety of nations. During the ceremony,
Miranda took the opportunity to thank Sanders for his leadership, mentorship
and friendship over the preceding months.
"It is a great honor and privilege for me to be given command of CTF 151,"
said Miranda. "I will build on the fine work of my predecessors, Rear
Admirals McKnight, Howard, Bener and Sanders. I will engage our partners,
especially the European Union and NATO, in order to make the seas safer."
CTF 151 is a multinational task force established in January 2009 to conduct
counter-piracy operations under a mission based mandate to actively deter,
disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and
secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations. CTF 151
operates in the Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia.
CTF 151 has had a significant effect disrupting pirates in the Gulf of Aden
and Somali Basin. Although the number of piracy attempts has increased in
the past year, the number of successful attacks has been reduced by 40
percent during the same time period.
"While the main focus of my command remains the mission to deter and disrupt
piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin, I will also put emphasis on
the readiness and optimization of all assets and the well being of all
people involved in the day to day tasks in this mission," said Miranda. "My
team and I look forward to being part of the Combined Maritime Forces
Headquarters and the USS Farragut."
Click here for photo |
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George
H.W. Bush Sailors Assisting in Haiti Relief Effort
Release Date: 1/21/2010 4:22:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan A. Bailey,
George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
NEWPORT
NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) departed
Norfolk, Va., to join the relief efforts in Haiti Jan. 21.
The 22 Sailors joined seven Haitian Creole-speaking Bush Sailors who
departed Jan. 19.
The Bush Sailors are among the more than 12,500 U.S. military personnel
already supporting Operation Unified Response, helping to meet the most
urgent needs of the Haitian people following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake
that devastated the country Jan. 12.
Air-Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW) Adam Keller got the call Jan. 18 to
deploy. Along with air traffic controllers from other aircraft carriers,
Keller will provide critical assistance for the air field at Guantanamo Bay
being used as a staging area for logistics and personnel support to Haiti.
"It's great to know I'll be proactively engaged in the positive effort and
be able to use my skills to help out," said Keller, who will miss his
daughter's baptism during the deployment to Haiti.
Keller is also leaving ship at a critical time as its sea trials and flight
deck certification are just around the corner.
"I'm confident in the team who will stay behind will do a great job getting
certified," Keller said.
Hull Technician 3rd Class Jimmy Murray, a certified rescue swimmer, also
jumped at the opportunity to go to Haiti. "There has to be someone to help
when people can't help themselves," Murray said.
Sailors will assist in the humanitarian effort including distributing food
and water as well as providing logistical support.
Bush is scheduled for redelivery to the fleet upon completion of sea trials,
scheduled in January. |
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Coalition
Counter Piracy Task Force Changes Command
By Commander, Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs
January 20, 2010
MANAMA, Bahrain -
Singaporean Navy Rear Adm. Bernard Miranda assumed command of the Coalition
counter-piracy unit, Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, in a ceremony aboard the
destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) while pier-side in Bahrain today. Rear Adm.
Miranda relieved US Navy Rear Adm. Scott E. Sanders, who has commanded the
counter piracy task force since August 13, 2009. Rear Adm. Miranda will
join his flagship, the USS Farragut (DDG 99), in Djibouti next week.
Having patrolled
the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin for over 160 days, Rear Admiral Sanders
marked the conclusion of a highly successful deployment with today's
ceremony. During his tenure in command, CTF-151 helped coordinate the safety
of over 15,000 vessels transiting an area of water that covers roughly 1.1
million square miles. In order to accomplish this task, Rear Adm. Sanders
and his staff held regular meetings and interactions both Coalition vessels
and independent deploying nations such as China and Russia to ensure the
most effective use of patrol assets. Testament to the enhanced interaction
amongst nations is the fact that CTF -151 and their international partners
were able to ensure that less than .001 percent of these transiting ships
became victims of the maritime crime of piracy.
Speaking to the
importance of international teamwork, Rear Adm. Sanders said, "Our
collaboration at sea makes us infinitely stronger in the fight against
piracy.Global maritime partnerships are at work each and everyday in the
Gulf of Aden."
In today's
ceremony, Rear Adm. Miranda assumed command of the deployed staff, which is
made up of coalition personnel from a wide variety of nations. During the
ceremony, Miranda took the opportunity to thank Rear Adm. Sanders for his
leadership, mentorship and friendship over the preceding months. "It is a
great honor and privilege for me to be given command of CTF 151," Miranda
said. "I will build on the fine work of my
predecessors, Rear
Admirals McKnight, Howard, Bener and Sanders. I will engage our partners,
especially the EU and NATO, in order to make the seas safer."
CTF 151 is a multi
national task force established in January 2009 to conduct counter piracy
operations under a mission based mandate to actively deter, disrupt and
suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure
freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations. It operates in the
Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia.
CTF 151 has had a
significant effect disrupting pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.
Although the number of piracy attempts has increased over the past year, the
number of successful attacks has been reduced by 40% over this same time.
"While the
main focus of my command remains the mission to deter and disrupt piracy in
the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin, I will also put emphasis on the
readiness and optimization of all assets and the well being of all people
involved in the day to day tasks in this mission," said Miranda. "My team
and I look forward to being part of the Combined Maritime Forces
Headquarters and the USS Farragut." |
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USNS Comfort Begins Work in Haiti, Prepares To Expand Medical Capability
Release Date: 1/20/2010 11:16:00 PM
By Bureau of Navy Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- The U.S. Navy hospital ship, USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20), arrived off
the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 20 and began receiving injured
patients from the local hospitals and international medical facilities
currently in Haiti.
The ship deployed from its homeport in Baltimore Jan. 16 with an overall
crew of 850 that included a medical team comprised of 550 medical and
non-medical support staff, including Navy doctors, nurses, corpsmen,
technicians and support staff ready to provide a host of medical services
including primary care, trauma care, pediatric care, orthopedic care and
more.
The embarked medical support team will be augmented by 350 additional team
members who are scheduled to arrive on board the ship in the next few days.
With the additional medical staff, the hospital ship will have the
capability to increase available beds from its current configuration of 250
-- set up during the ship's transit -- to nearly 1,000, including 880 ward
beds, 80 intensive care unit beds and 20 post anesthesia care unit beds.
The augmented medical staff will also enable Comfort to expand its operating
room capability from 6 to 11. A twelfth operating room is specifically
designed to support advanced interventional radiology procedures.
The ship will initially receive urgent surgical patients. Patients
transported to the hospital ship will have a family member escort, if
available. After treatment, the ship's medical personnel will determine the
patient's follow-on care. Additionally, medical teams from the hospital ship
will move ashore to help in casualty evaluation and are prepared to triage
crush wounds and burn injuries and other health issues.
Comfort is part of a larger United States response to the government of
Haiti request for humanitarian assistance. The U.S. effort is being
coordinated by the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International
Development.
Comfort was last in Haiti in April 2009 for 12 days as part of Continuing
Promise 2009. |
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Maritime Force Serves as Cornerstone of Relief Operations in Haiti
Release Date: 1/20/2010 11:03:00 PM
From Defense Media Activity - Anacostia
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- A sea-based force of 8,500 Sailors, 11 ships and 42 aircraft is
currently supporting the immediate delivery of aid to earthquake victims in
Haiti as part of operation Unified Response.
Operating a few miles off the coast of Haiti are USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70);
USNS Comfort (T-AH-20); USS Normandy (CG 60); USS Bunker Hill (CG 52); USS
Higgins (DDG 76); USS Underwood (FFG 36); USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51); and the
Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. The Bataan ARG includes embarked Marines of
the 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and USS Bataan (LHD 5), USS Fort
McHenry (LSD 43); USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).
In addition, Sailors from Maritime Civil Affairs, Maritime Security,
Expeditionary Logistic Support, Seabee units, and Combat Camera, as well as
other Navy divers and engineers are supporting disaster response efforts
with diverse capabilities including assessment, construction, security,
civil affairs and logistical support.
To date, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps forces supporting relief efforts have
conducted 336 air deliveries, delivered 32,400 gallons of water, 532,440
bottles of water, 111,082 meals and 9,000 lbs of medical supplies. Most
importantly, U.S. and international search and rescue teams have rescued 69
earthquake victims, mostly Haitian citizens.
Navy medical professionals aboard USNS Comfort received their first patients
Jan. 20, delivered by a MH-60 "Knighthawk" helicopter from USS Carl Vinson (CVN
70) in the middle of the night. The two patients, a six-year-old boy and a
20-year old man injured in the earthquake, arrived aboard the ship shortly
after 10 p.m.
USNS Comfort will provide full hospital services to support U.S.
humanitarian assistance and disaster response to the people of Haiti.
Comfort comes with a full spectrum of hospital services to support disaster
relief efforts including: primary, trauma, pediatric and orthopedic care
services. The 894-foot long ship has six fully operational operating rooms.
Comfort currently has a 250 acute care bed capacity and 40 ICU beds.
The Navy's contribution will be reinforced and expanded in the upcoming days
with the arrival of the following units:
- USNS Henson (T-AGS-63), an oceanographic survey ship, and MV Alakai, a
high speed ferry, are scheduled to arrive in the next few days.
- USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2), a dry cargo ship with two SH-60S helicopters,
and USNS 1st LT Jack Lummus (T-AK 3011), a dry cargo ship capable of
offloading cargo without a port are scheduled to arrive in the next week.
- The Nassau Amphibious Ready Group/24 Marine Expeditionary Unit (NAS ARG/24
MEU), including USS Nassau (LHD 4), USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), USS Ashland
(LSD 48), and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are scheduled to arrive in
the next week. (
- SS Cape May (T-AKR 5063), a heavy lift ship; USNS PFC Dewayne Williams
(T-AK 3009), a container & roll-on/roll-off ship; and MV Huakai, a high
speed ferry, are scheduled to arrive in the next few weeks.
Operation Unified Response is part of a larger U.S. response to a request
from the government of Haiti for urgent humanitarian aid. U.S. Southern
Command is working closely with the Dept. of State, U.S. Agency for
International Development and the international community to aggressively
provide life-sustaining services to the people of Haiti. All military
efforts are in support of USAID, which is orchestrating U.S. government
contributions to the relief mission.
The last time the Navy supported U.S. disaster relief efforts in Haiti was
in September 2008. After the island nation was hit by consecutive hurricanes
and tropical storm, the amphibious ship USS Kearsarge was diverted to assist
with the delivery of 3.3 million pounds of internationally-donated aid to
communities isolated by flooding, mudslides and damaged roads. |
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Bataan
Receives MEDEVAC, Treats 19 Injured Haitians
Release Date: 1/20/2010 10:52:00 PM
From USS Bataan Public Affairs
USS BATAAN,
At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHA 5) received 19
injured Haitians on seven MEDEVAC helicopters beginning at 12:30 p.m. Jan.
20, and immediately began providing medical care.
A CH-53E Super Stallion from Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, a Coast
Guard MH-60, and five MH-60S Knighthawks from Helicopter Sea Combat
squadrons 22, 26 and 46 medically evacuated the earthquake victims from the
Port-au-Prince region in Haiti.
"Our medical mission is in full swing," said Cmdr. William C. Wallace,
officer in charge of Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 8, which embarked Bataan for
the relief efforts.
Bataan began receiving additional medical personnel Jan. 19 from throughout
the fleet to augment the Bataan medical staff and FST-8.
"Some of these personnel began treating patients the minute their feet hit
the deck of Bataan," Wallace said.
There are a total of 21 patients currently being treated in Bataan's medical
facilities.
Bataan arrived off the coast of Haiti Jan. 18, and immediately began
providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in support of
Operation Unified Response. The Amphibious Relief Mission includes Bataan,
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Carter Hall (LSD
50).
Operation Unified Response is part of a larger U.S. response to a request
from the government of Haiti for urgent humanitarian aid. U.S. Southern
Command is working closely with the Department of State, U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) and the international community to provide
life-sustaining services to the people of Haiti. All military efforts are in
support of USAID, which is orchestrating U.S. government contributions to
the relief mission. |
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CNO Approves Service Dress Khaki Uniform Design, Initial Wear Policy
Release Date: 1/20/2010 5:23:00 PM
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHNGTON (NNS)
-- Service Dress Khaki (SDK), featuring a contemporary design, was approved
by the Chief of Naval Operations for development as an optional uniform for
E-7 and above, as announced in NAVADMIN 020/10.
It is anticipated the uniform will be available for purchase in
approximately 18 months, after issues identified in the wear test are
resolved.
NAVADMIN 020/10 includes initial details of occasion for wear policy.
Costs for the uniform will be determined following the final development
phase, including a second wear test to evaluate final uniform components,
manufacturer selection and final manner of wear decisions. It is anticipated
this process will be complete by fiscal year 2012.
Two SDK uniform designs were developed and tested by 125 Sailors from April
2008 to October 2009. The testing included a traditional design, based on
the original SDK uniform disestablished in 1975, and a contemporary uniform
design, which incorporated more updated design features, such as an unbelted
waist and peaked lapels.
Once available, SDK will be approved for optional wear in lieu of summer
white and service khaki when wearing a tie in civilian attire is
appropriate, such as in an office environment. It will be available by
special order from Navy Exchange uniform centers for purchase. |
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New Radar Detection Lab Will Enhance Navy's Ability to Protect Nation
Release Date: 1/20/2010 11:19:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay C. Pugh,
Pacific Missile Range Facility Public Affairs
PACIFIC
MISSILE RANGE BARKING SANDS, Hawaii (NNS) -- On January 19, the Pacific
Missile Range Facility (PMRF) Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii began
construction of an Advanced Radar Detection Laboratory (ARDEL) facility.
The ARDEL project will test and evaluate a new radar system planned for the
next generation of surface combatant vessels strengthening the Navy's
ability to detect, track, and provide information required to engage
ballistic missiles at greater distances than current systems in use as well
as more elusive long-range air threats. The advanced technologies of the new
radar incorporate various aspects of ballistic missile defense (BMD), air
defense (AD), and surface warfare (SuW).
The purpose of the ARDEL facility is to test advanced radar technologies
including the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR). According to the AMDR
Major Program Manager, Capt. Larry Creevy, AMDR is a next generation radar
system designed to address the BMD, AD, and SuW capability gaps identified
in the Maritime Air and Missile Defense of Joint Forces (MAMDJF) Initial
Capabilities Document (ICD). AMDR is envisioned to counter current and
emergent Ballistic missile, air-to-surface and surface-to-surface missile
threats.
"This advanced radar project will not only further the Navy's ability to
protect and serve our nation and our allies, but also strengthen PMRF's
status as a diverse and important training and test and evaluation resource
for our country," said PMRF Commanding Officer Capt. Aaron Cudnohufsky.
The Department of the Navy chose PMRF for the new ARDEL facility due to
Barking Sands' ability to provide integrated range services in a modern,
multi-threat, multi-dimensional environment, from space to the ocean floor
that ensures the safe conduct and evaluation of training and test and
evaluation missions. PMRF was the only potential build location that met the
required test and evaluation criteria that could completely support the
proposed development of a land-based testing site while providing targets
that are representative of the threats Navy vessels may encounter in their
operational environment. Test and evaluation of the new radar technologies
would include the use of targets of opportunity on the PMRF range.
"PMRF has been working closely with the ARDEL project for some time and
breaking ground on the construction of this facility will put us a step
closer to actually realizing a new capability here," said Cudnohufsky.
The two-story ARDEL facility will consist of a radar tower, mechanical and
electrical rooms, radar chiller room, control rooms, equipment storage and
loading areas, data processing room and other supporting spaces. The
facility will be built with a "silver" designation of the Navy's Leadership
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building standards. Developed in the
1990s by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is a
certification system for environmentally friendly construction, indicating
the project meets or exceeds government mandates as well as industry
standards.
Buildings can achieve certified, silver, gold or platinum designation of
LEED compliance. The Navy requires all construction and major renovation
projects to be compliant to LEED silver standards or better.
The traditional image of a radar antenna is the rotating, parabolic antenna
as seen on top of airport control towers and aircraft carriers. In contrast,
the two radars of the ARDEL facility are similar to the radars of the
Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radar system, currently operating
at PMRF, and to the AEGIS system in use on Navy vessels.
"This facility will be the birth place for the most advanced radar the world
has ever seen in the most capable Navy the world has ever seen. It will
fulfill missile defense requirements recently identified by President
Obama," said Creevy.
The ARDEL facility will have six permanent staff that could be augmented to
the projected peak number of 40 persons during radar testing. The facility
would be manned 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific awarded the $18.5
million, firm-fixed price contract to Tomco Corp. of Honolulu for design and
construction of the ARDEL facility. The facility is expected to be completed
by August 2011. |
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Higgins Crew Makes a
Difference in Haiti
Release Date: 1/20/2010 4:20:00 PM
By Lt. j.g. Rick Chernitzer, Africa Partnership Station
Public Affairs
KILLICK,
Haiti (NNS) -- On their way home to San Diego from a scheduled deployment in
the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility, Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS
Higgins (DDG 76) crew members were diverted to Haiti in the wake of a
devastating earthquake which struck the country Jan. 12.
"Even in light of being on our way home, none of my Sailors complained about
the job we had before us," said Higgins Command Master Chief Bobby Maddox.
"We came here to help in any way we can."
The crew provided aid by assisting medical personnel from USS Carl Vinson (CVN
70), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and several U.S. Coast Guard cutters. A
Haitian Coast Guard base was turned into a medical center where patients
were evaluated, treated and, if needed, medically evacuated to whatever
hospitals were still operational. Higgins crew members transported patients
from the clinic to the staging site, helped keep the clinic area orderly and
clean. Higgins Sailors also helped clear an airfield for helicopters to
land.
"It's sad about what happened here and the reason it's important we came
here to lend a hand," said Yeoman 3rd Class Joshua Baine. "We have a duty."
"So many people on the ship volunteered (to go ashore to help), it was
incredible," said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Justin Wright. "We're
on our way home from deployment, but when something like this happens, you
know you have to spring into action and do what is right."
Higgins' crew members were also instrumental in setting up a command and
control structure ashore, according to Lt. Chris Cummins, Higgins weapons
officer.
"Basically, we're utility players now, plugging in where we can," said
Cummins.
Higgins is part of a massive military effort, known as Operation Unified
Response, to provide relief to the victims of the Haiti earthquake. |
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USS Bataan Ready to Help in
Haiti
Release Date: 1/20/2010 11:26:00 AM
By Christen N. McCluney, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- The Wasp-class Amphibious Assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) is in
Haiti as part of the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission to participate in
Operation Unified Response.
Operation Unified Response is a joint U.S. military effort designed to
provide provide relief in response to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that
struck the Caribbean nation Jan. 12.
Bataan Senior Medical Officer Cmdr. Melanie Merrick, Fleet Surgical Team (FST)
8 Officer in Charge Cmdr. William Wallace and FST 8 Surgeon Lt. Cmdr. Seon
Jones spoke to bloggers and journalists during a Jan. 19 "DoDLive" bloggers
roundtable.
"The primary goal is getting people on the beach and getting a site secure,"
Merrick said. "There is obviously a lot of demand for the supplies and we
are getting security in place to have a more permanent residence and be able
to distribute supplies."
Merrick added that aid will last as long as it's needed.
Bataan arrived in the Port-au-Prince area Jan. 19 and began unloading
supplies to shore, including beach clearing equipment, bulldozers and rubble
removers.
Bataan's mission is to render aid and take supplies ashore, and not all of
the work in which the ship will be involved is medical related.
The ship does, however, have a small surgical team with four operating
rooms, 13 available intensive care unit beds and 38 available ward beds.
Additionally, Bataan's medical team is also expecting another 87 medical
personnel to help augment the surgical team, allowing physicians to rotate
and provide constant staffing for the medical facilities on board, according
to Jones.
"We are expecting to receive patients aboard Bataan, but the primary goal is
getting relief ashore," said Wallace. "It's simply, the biggest thing to
enter the area from a medical perspective."
Wallace added that U.S. Navy medical professionals are coordinating efforts
to ensure no one ship is overwhelmed.
The Military Sealift Command vessel USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) is scheduled to
arrive Jan. 21. The hospital ship has 1,000 beds and 600 medical personnel,
bringing the total number of U.S. military medical professionals in the
Operation Unified Response area of operations to 1,500.
Bataan's medical team is ready for patients and is on standby.
"We want to do the greatest good for the greatest amount of people and a lot
of times that includes a lot of moving parts," said Jones.
Bataan also has experience in previous disasters and humanitarian relief
missions. The amphibious vessel was the first U.S. Navy ship on-scene in
2005 after Hurricane Katrina, a category-4 hurricane, made landfall, and
spent 19 days supporting the relief efforts by moving more than 1,600 people
to safety and delivering more than 160,000 pounds of supplies to the Gulf
Coast of the United States. |
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Carl Vinson
Reunites 12-Year Old Haitian with Family
Release Date: 1/20/2010 4:03:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Thompson,
USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
USS CARL
VINSON – At sea (NNS) -- USS CARL VINSON – At sea – Kimberly Lazare, a
12-year old Haitian girl affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti, has
reconnected with family members in Canada through a telephone call placed
from the USS Carl Vinson's (CVN 70) medical facility.
The ship's medical staff initially treated Kimberly Lazare to remove pieces
of concrete from her skull. Following a post-operation consult, neurosurgeon
and CNN medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Los Angeles Pediatric
Hospital's Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Henri Ford assisted in a second operation on
board Carl Vinson.
Vallčs Latry, Lazare's cousin, contacted CNN with his information. The news
agency then contacted Carl Vinson to confirm. Shortly thereafter, a
speakerphone was brought into the ship's medical ward and a phone call was
placed to Montreal where Latry was eagerly anticipating a ring.
Speaking through a translator, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman
Wiley Charles, also of Haitian birth, Lazare reconnected with her family in
the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that took her mother and
sister.
"Her family asked her if she's being treated and if she's eating. They
wanted to know if she's in any pain," said Charles. "They also were thankful
she's still alive and wanted to tell her how thankful they are she was able
to get out and get treated."
Lazare had not been in contact with any member of her family since being
medically evacuated to Carl Vinson on Jan. 16.
Ship's Surgeon, Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Kathryn Berndt reassured Latry the ship
would remain vigilant.
"The departments on the ship will continue to work to locate her father,"
Berndt said. "We don't know when or where, but she will be reunited with her
family."
With the arrival of the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) in the region,
Berndt expects Lazare will receive the same care she has received on the
Carl Vinson but also expressed the ship's company's joy in treating her.
"The entire crew of the ship was glad to take care of Kimberly," said
Berndt.
Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster
relief operations as part of Operation Unified Relief after a 7.0 magnitude
earthquake cause severe damage near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010. |
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Carl Vinson
Sends Desperately Needed Water Ashore
Release Date: 1/20/2010 4:15:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shentel M. Yarnell
and Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Heather Roe, USS Carl Vinson Public
Affairs
USS CARL
VINSON, At sea (NNS) -- Using a new water dispensing system they designed,
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Sailors were able to significantly increase the
amount of water - nearly 3,000 gallons - Carl Vinson can deliver ashore
while operating off the coast of Haiti in support of Operation Unified
Response.
Carl Vinson is currently supporting Operation Unified Response under the
command of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet.
Carl Vinson had been producing fresh water and filling containers for
delivery ashore, but Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier realized a method
of filling the containers faster was needed.
Over the course of two days, Carl Vinson Engineering Department hull
technicians created a unique 12-faucet pure water dispenser. Sailors then
built and assembled two of these faucet systems, nicknaming the water
distribution process "Operation Hydration."
"We have the capabilities and manpower to help," said Engineering Repair
Division Leading Petty Officer Hull Technician 1st Class (SW/AW) Harmon
Hazelwood. "It is a crisis and we are maximizing water usage to the best of
our abilities."
Hull technicians drew up plans for the faucets, factoring in water pressure
and efficiency. They next cut the pipes, calculating where the holes should
be placed for even distribution, and then pieced the system together.
The dispensers were partially assembled in Vinson's Engineering Department's
pipe shop and then taken to the flight deck for final assembly. The hoses
used to supply the dispensers with potable water are normally used to wash
down aircraft, and the dispensers were built for use on the flight deck or
in the hangar bay, allowing Sailors to easily load full water containers
into helicopters for distribution to those in need.
A total of 80 water spouts can now be used at the same time to fill
containers, a significant improvement from previous, less efficient means.
The two new water dispensers are capable of producing 120 gallons of clean
water per minute, effectively allowing Carl Vinson Sailors to fill a
5-gallon container in 36 seconds.
Since the dispensers began operating Jan. 18, Carl Vinson Sailors have
filled and loaded more than 800 five-gallon containers of water. The
Nimitz-class carrier desalinizes more than 400,000 gallons of water each
day, 200,000 gallons of which are excess and can be loaded into water
containers and distributed ashore.
Hull technicians involved in the water dispener system's construction are
happy to have had a part in the relief efforts.
"It's great to help other people," said Hull Technician 3rd Class Brandon
Key, who helped assemble the dispensers. "It's a good feeling, helping in
their time of need."
Operation Unified Response is a large joint military operation directed by
Joint Task Force Haiti, and is designed to provide humanitarian assistance
and disaster relief to the people in Haiti affected by the 7.0 magnitude
earthquake that struck the island nation Jan. 12. |
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Comfort Receives First Patients
Release Date: 1/20/2010 7:33:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Jackson,
USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) Public Affairs
USNS
COMFORT, At Sea (NNS) -- Navy medical professionals aboard USNS Comfort
(T-AH 20) received their first patients Jan. 20, delivered by an MH60S "Knighthawk"
helicopter from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the middle of the night.
Comfort's medical staff sprung into action following a message over the
hospital ship's general announcing system informing shipboard personnel that
a flight carrying patients was imminent.
"The team did an outstanding job with the two patients who arrived tonight,"
said Cmdr. Timothy F. Donahue, director of surgical services. "Just the way
a good trauma resuscitation should be conducted."
The two patients, a six-year-old boy and a 20-year old man injured in the
earthquake that devastated Haiti Jan. 12, arrived aboard the 1,000-bed
hospital ship shortly after 10 p.m. An initial examination confirmed that
both of the patients suffered from serious injuries.
"The first two patients arrived and were taken straight to casualty
receiving," said Capt. Richard Sharpe, a trauma surgeon aboard. "The first
was a Haitian boy who suffered a blunt injury to his pelvis. He is stable
and doing well.
"The second patient was a male who suffered some blunt injury to his head
and arm. He won't need surgery for either injury, so that is good news.
"However," said Sharpe, "we discovered spinal cord fluid leaking out of his
ear, which is concerning. But based on his computerized axial tomography
(CAT) scan, his brain looks normal and is functioning properly."
Following initial assessments, both patients were moved to the intensive
care unit for further observation.
Prior to arriving on station just a few hours away from the Caribbean nation
of Haiti, Comfort Sailors spent much of their three-day transit from their
home port of Baltimore, preparing for patients by conducting drills,
reviewing procedures and conducting frequent exercises concentrating on the
variety of afflictions they felt they were likely to encounter during their
disaster relief efforts during Operation Unified Response.
"We have anticipated treating for extreme dehydration, infections from open
wounds, orthopedic injuries and crush injuries," said Lt. Cmdr. Daniel
D'Auora, division officer for the casualty receiving department aboard
Comfort. "We have two cases of injuries at this moment, but we are also
focused on the basic medical problems that may be exacerbated by the lack of
medical care."
Doctors aboard the Vinson took this same level of care in providing initial
treatment to the young boy, which helped extend the child's ability to fight
for his life.
"A surgeon aboard Vinson performed the initial surgery on the young boy, who
sustained blunt trauma to his pelvic region during the earthquake or
subsequent aftershocks," said Sharpe. "That kind of trauma is unusual for
such a young child, but upon his arrival to Comfort he was responsive and
doing well."
Comfort plans to receive many more patients during their indefinite stay in
the region in addition to landing medical teams and providing supplies,
including water.
The disaster relief and humanitarian operation capabilities of the ship were
expanded from the initial total of 600 medical personnel to man a 250-bed
hospital to 1,000 hospital beds and more than 1,000 Sailors to meet the
needs of the approximately three million Haitians affected by the
earthquake.
In addition to Comfort, U.S. response assets participating in Operation
Unified Response include Carl Vinson, USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Bunker Hill
(CG 52), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Underwood (FFG 36), USNS Grasp (T-ARS
51), USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) and the USS Bataan (LHD 5) Amphibious Ready
Group (ARG). Bataan ARG consists of the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary
Unit aboard Bataan, USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and
USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44). |
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USS
Bataan Receives MEDEVAC, Treats Three Injured Haitians
Release Date: 1/19/2010 10:51:00 PM
From USS Bataan Public Affairs
USS BATAAN,
At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHA-5) received two
medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopters at approximately 8:15 p.m. Jan. 19,
with three injured Haitians aboard who received immediate medical care from
the Bataan medical team.
U.S. Navy and Coast Guard search-and-rescue crews responded to two separate
distress calls in the vicinity of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
An MH-60S Knighthawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 medically
evacuated two patients with potentially life-threatening injuries just
before a Coast Guard HH-65A Dolphin carrying a third patient arrived aboard
Bataan.
"This is why we train," said Cmdr. Melanie Merrick, senior medical officer
aboard Bataan. "We are equipped for these types of injuries to provide
resuscitation and stabilization. We will continue to assess the individuals
and go from there."
The first two injured were a 24-year-old woman and a infant boy in need of
urgent medical care. The third patient is a 70-year-old woman. Merrick said
all three patients are stable and receiving medical treatment.
Bataan arrived off the coast of Haiti Jan. 18, and immediately began
providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in support of
Operation Unified Response. The Amphibious Relief Mission, a sea base from
which relief operations are staged off the coast of Haiti, includes Bataan,
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Carter Hall (LSD
50).
Operation Unified Response is part of a larger U.S. response to a request
from the government of Haiti for urgent humanitarian aid. U.S. Southern
Command is working closely with the Department of State, U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) and the international community to
aggressively provide life-sustaining services to the people of Haiti. All
military efforts are in support of USAID, which is orchestrating U.S.
government contributions to the relief mission. |
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Gunston
Hall Arrives in Haiti to Assist Earthquake Victims
Release Date: 1/19/2010 10:22:00 AM
By Lt. j.g. Rick Chernitzer, Operation Unified Response
Public Affairs
KILLICK,
Haiti (NNS) -- USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) anchored off Haiti Jan. 18 to begin
providing relief supplies and assistance as part of Operation Unified
Response.
"We were ready on arrival and began making an immediate difference," said
Cmdr. Fred Wilhelm, commanding officer of Gunston Hall.
At anchorage near the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base, Gunston Hall sent
boats ashore laden with people and supplies for use at the base clinic.
"There is a Coast Guard unit there that has been there several days," said
Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Guest, an independent-duty corpsman and
one of seven medically-trained personnel to go ashore. "The most important
thing we could do for them was bring supplies. They were running low on some
stuff and what we brought they began to use immediately."
The ship provided rice, dry spaghetti, bottled water and other dry goods, as
well as approximately $20,000 worth of much-needed medical supplies to
organizations already providing care. Some of the material included
thermometers, surgical lights, syringes, medications and bandages.
The ship's doctor and Guest also provided assistance in caring for five of
the patients, while other Sailors helped organize the pharmacy and aid in
activities to make conditions better for the patients and caregivers. The
ship's chaplain also performed spiritual services for the wounded.
"A lot of us were excited because this is what we trained for and what we
wanted to provide," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Jessica Toothe.
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Guy Leppry, a French speaker, provided
translation services.
"It made me feel like a team player, knowing what I could do is critical to
helping patients," said Leppry. "But it was busy; there was never a break."
"We'll continue to do what we can," Wilhelm said. "We're here to help."
Gunston Hall was scheduled to deploy to Africa to take part in Africa
Partnership Station (APS) West when it got the word to be part of Operation
Unified Response, providing support to Haitian earthquake victims.
A Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship, Gunston Hall recently
completed a mid-life modernization availability. The work included major
upgrades to the ship's control system, local area network and machinery
control system, propulsion systems, heating, ventilation and air
conditioning systems, as well as replacement of the ship's boilers and
evaporators with an all-electric services system.
Africa Partnership Station West is an international initiative developed by
Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa that aims to improve maritime
safety and security in West and Central Africa. |
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USS Reuben James
Deploys to the Western Pacific
Release Date: 1/19/2010 5:26:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup,
Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL
HARBOR (NNS) -- More than 250 Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate USS
Reuben James (FFG 57) departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a deployment
to the Western Pacific Jan. 15.
Reuben James, one of eight ships assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron
31, will be on an independent deployment to the 7th Fleet area of
responsibility.
While on deployment, Reuben James will be conducting various missions,
including a joint fisheries patrol with the U.S. Coast Guard and local
nations in Oceania to protect vital natural resources. The ship will conduct
humanitarian relief and goodwill projects and participate in several
multinational military exercises to build relationships and strengthen
regional stability.
Reuben James' commanding officer, Cmdr. David Miller, was very optimistic
about the deployment, noting that the crew and the ship are readily prepared
for the tasks ahead.
"It has been a tough past few months with all the inspections, but the crew
is more than prepared for this deployment and I have no doubt that they will
perform nothing short of outstanding," said Miller. "We're ready to go and
we're proud to serve."
Miller also said that Reuben James will have the opportunity to lend a hand
to the local communities during port visits.
"We will make quite a few stops while on the deployment where we'll take the
time to help out underprivileged communities in foreign countries with
community relations projects," said Miller.
Friends and family waved farewell as they watched their Sailors aboard
Reuben James depart Pearl Harbor en route to the Pacific Ocean.
"It's really sad to have him leave today, but I know that this is his job,"
said the wife of a deploying Sailor.
"I never like to see my husband leave, but it is something that I'm used to,
and I just look forward to him coming home," added another wife of a Reuben
James Sailor.
U.S. Navy guided-missile frigates fulfill a protection-of-shipping mission
as anti-submarine warfare combatants for amphibious expeditionary forces,
underway replenishment groups and merchant convoys. |
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Normandy, HSL 46 Det 3 Provide Relief to Haitian Earthquake Victims
Release Date: 1/19/2010 10:57:00 PM
From USS Normandy Public Affairs
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HSL)
(Light) 46 Detachment 3, embarked aboard USS Normandy (CG 60), completed the
first of many humanitarian relief missions inside Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan.
18.
HSL 46, based in Mayport, Fla., had been tapped to help deliver food and
water, as well as movement of personnel, to include troops and Haitian
nationals needing medical assistance.
On their first day of humanitarian efforts, the HSL 46 Det 3 made 19 support
flights in and out of Port-au-Prince airport and throughout Haiti's capital.
The SH-60B helicopter and crew transported 200 cases of water—approximately
600 gallons—and 349 cases of meals ready to eat —approximately 4,188
individual units—to affected areas in Haiti. The crew also transported a
total of 58 people, to include two Haitian nationals to other shore-side
medical facilities, and U.S. Army soldiers who will provide security at aid
distribution drop points.
"Efforts on day one were concentrated primarily on stabilization of select
areas," said Lt. David A. Hoopengardner, HSL 46 Det 3 pilot.
There are two helicopters from HSL 46 Det 3 embarked aboard Normandy. Both
will make flights simultaneously during their participation in Operation
Unified Response.
"It's a great feeling to contribute like this, to know what you are doing is
directly going to assist the Haitian people," said Hoopengardner. |
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USS Fort McHenry Arrives in
Haiti
Release Date: 1/19/2010 10:55:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L.
Leslie, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East
USS FORT
MCHENRY, At Sea (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry
(LSD 43) arrived in Haiti Jan. 18 to provide humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief in support of Operation Unified Response in the aftermath of
Haiti's devastating earthquake.
The ship launched the first assault craft boats ashore to transport the
first group of personnel to the island for a site visit Jan. 19.
"Late last night the crew aboard Fort McHenry, this great ship, anchored
just off the coast of Haiti, about two miles off of our landing area," said
Cmdr. Nate Moyer, Fort McHenry's commanding officer. "We're currently
sending some folks ashore to establish an initial liaison with the Haitian
population, and then we'll start moving all of our troops a little bit later
on today."
Security personnel from Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadrons (MSRON) 6
were some of the first to go ashore with the mission of securing a location
for the rest of the troops to land.
"I'm excited to be here and get to be a part of this," said Chief
Master-at-Arms (EXW/SW) Derrick Lloyd, of MSRON 6. "I didn't get to
participate in the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina, and I'm happy I
get to help this time. I know a lot of the guys are."
The mission of those who went ashore is to establish a site where the rest
of the troops aboard Fort McHenry can set up camp in order to start
providing support and aid to the people of Haiti as quickly as possible.
"We have a fully-integrated team aboard Fort McHenry," said Moyer. "It's a
great support network with the crew aboard the ship, and we have some
wonderful organizations stationed aboard that are immediately going to be
providing relief to the general population on Haiti."
Sea-based amphibious ready forces, like the ones aboard Fort McHenry, bring
added capabilities to aid the relief efforts in Haiti without taxing the
already strained infrastructure ashore. The Fort McHenry team includes the
ship's crew, members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, Assault Craft
Unit 2, Beach Masters Unit 2, and MSRON 6 and 4. The group's equipment is
comprised of heavy-lift and utility helicopters, trucks and humvees, assault
amphibious vehicles and logistics capabilities, to include water
purification and limited medical support to further enhance the humanitarian
relief efforts ashore. |
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Enterprise
Sailors Support Haitian Relief Effort
Release Date: 1/19/2010 11:03:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Croft, USS
Enterprise Public Affairs
USS
ENTERPRISE, Newport News, Va. (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) sent 11
Sailors Jan. 19 to conduct humanitarian-assistance and disaster-relief
efforts for the victims of the earthquake near Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
The 11 Sailors are French-Creole speakers who will function as interpreters
aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) which is off the coast of
the impoverished nation caring for the most seriously injured.
This is the first wave of support from the ship, and 36 additional Sailors
have been identified to deploy Jan. 21. This brings the total number of
Sailors deploying from the ship to 47.
Among the Sailors in the second wave are three air traffic controllers, six
aviation boatswain's mates, seven ship's servicemen, two information systems
technicians and 18 Sailors from various specialties who will serve in
general duties.
"Despite receiving less than 48-hours notice, we were overwhelmed by the
number of Sailors who volunteered to go," said Capt. Ryan B. Scholl, the
ship's executive officer. "This speaks volumes about the ethos that
permeates the crew. They want to be on the front lines of this great
humanitarian effort."
Aviation Electronics Technician Seaman Brandon M. Walker, from Enterprise's
Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), volunteered to go and
is thrilled to lend a helping hand in the humanitarian efforts.
"I got a call last night (Jan. 17) about Enterprise sending Sailors to help
out, and I came directly to the ship to talk to my chief about going," said
Walker. "It never crossed my mind that what I will be doing will be
dangerous; all I can think about is helping out however I'm needed."
Walker, a Woodbridge, Va. native, said going on missions like this one is
the reason he joined the Navy two years ago.
"I joined because of the pride of belonging. I wanted to be able to say I am
a Sailor in the United States Navy," said Walker. "Going on a humanitarian
mission like this one just strengthens that pride I have for what we do as
Sailors."
For some Sailors, the mission to Haiti will not be their first time to the
country.
"I have been to Haiti, and the people there struggle more than most of us
are used to," said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 3rd Class Trey O.
Miller from Enterprise's AIMD. "I volunteered to go on this mission because
I wanted to show the people of Haiti that there is hope and there are people
that care."
More than 7,000 U.S. military personnel are currently supporting Operation
Unified Response on the ground in Haiti and from U.S. Navy and Coast Guard
vessels operating in Haitian waters. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is
leading the military relief mission after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake
devastated the country Jan. 12.
SOUTHCOM has established Joint Task Force Haiti to oversee U.S. military
relief efforts in Haiti, with Army Lt. Gen. P.K. "Ken" Keen in command.
U.S. Southern Command's mission is to direct U.S. Naval forces operating in
the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner
nations navies within the maritime environment. Routine operations include
counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation,
military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.
SOUTHCOM is well-versed in providing humanitarian assistance to the region.
Since 2005, the command has led U.S. military support to 14 major relief
missions, including assistance to Haiti in Sept. 2008. During that mission,
U.S. military forces airlifted 3.3 million pounds of aid to communities that
were devastated by a succession of major storms.
Enterprise is currently undergoing a maintenance period in the Northrop
Grumman Newport News Shipyard and training to maintain proficiency in
preparation to return to the fleet. |
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Sanjay Gupta Assists
Vinson Medical Team
Release Date: 1/18/2010 3:55:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Thompson,
USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
USS CARL
VINSON, At sea (NNS) -- Noted neurosurgeon and CNN medical correspondent Dr.
Sanjay Gupta and Los Angeles Pediatric Hospital's Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Henri
Ford assisted USS Carl Vinson's (CVN 70) medical team in emergency surgery
to remove concrete debris from a 12-year old Haitian girl's skull Jan. 18.
Ship's Surgeon, Lt. Cmdr (Dr.) Kathryn Berndt diagnosed the girl as having a
1.2 cm piece of concrete embedded in her skull which was removed the night
she arrived. During the post-operation debrief, Berndt requested a
neurosurgical consult. One well-known neurosurgeon in the region came to
mind.
"Our senior medical officer, Doctor (Alfred) Shwayhat, told me about the
situation and asked if I could track down Dr. Gupta," said Carl Vinson's
Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Lt. j.g. Erik Schneider. "With the help of a
CNN producer, we called CNN in Atlanta who then patched us through to Doctor
Gupta in Port-au-Prince."
"Someone got a hold of our international desk which is our world
headquarters which we're in touch with every hour," said Gupta. "They said
there was an urgent call from the Carl Vinson. So I put a call in to them
and there was something about a head injury. I initially spoke to Doctor
Berndt and she explained the situation."
"It was literally, 'Paging Dr. Gupta off the coast of Haiti from the USS
Carl Vinson,'" said Shwayhat.
Following further consultation, a second surgery was deemed necessary. After
the medical team irrigated the injury and provided the initial care,
Berndt's team, assisted by Gupta and Ford, scrubbed in.
"There was a one-and-a-half centimeter by two centimeter piece of debris
that was broken into smaller pieces," Ford said. "There was one piece to
which we weren't able to access initially. She was neurologically intact and
there wasn't any penetration of the brain."
Gupta and Ford anticipate the girl making a full recovery, "though she will
need some antibiotics," Ford said.
"This has been the most remarkable occasion," said Ford, who is originally
from Haiti. "It has been the most moving experience being a part of those so
motivated in the face of this tragedy. As a pediatric surgeon, it is a great
honor to experience the dedication of the American government and the
quality of care the ship's medical team provided. The display of humanity
and support is truly without parallel."
"I was honored to help out," said Gupta. "I have a profound respect for the
capabilities of the U.S. Navy and the medical team on board the Carl
Vinson."
Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster
relief operations as part of Operation Unified Relief after a 7.0 magnitude
earthquake cause severe damage near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010. |
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USNS Grasp, Divers Arrive in Port-au-Prince, Begin Port Assessments
Release Date: 1/18/2010 12:56:00 PM
From U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) arrived in Haiti Jan.
18 and began coordinated joint diving operations in the port of
Port-au-Prince in support of Operation Unified Response.
Grasp, a Military Sealift Command (MSC) rescue and salvage vessel, began
dive operations with embarked U.S. Army's 544th Engineer Dive Team to assess
the damage to the port facilities in order to reopen them for operations,
allowing relief supplies and personnel additional access to provide aid.
"The 544th is ready to execute underwater surveying operations to identify
obstacles that are blocking the channels in Haiti as well as confirm
possible areas for unloading of cargo." said Capt. Scott Sann, Commander,
544th Engineer Dive Team. "This would be followed by salvage operations to
clear debris from the identified pathways."
Grasp and the 544th will work in conjunction with Explosive Ordnance
Disposal group 2, the Mobile and Diving Salvage Unit 2, and Underwater
Construction Team 2 under command of Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, Commander, Task
Force (CTF) 42. CTF 42 is overall in charge of all port assessment
activities and coordination during Operation Unified Response.
Grasp and the 544th had been conducting Navy Diver Southern Partnership
Station 2010 (ND SPS 10) off the coast of Belize prior to the earthquake in
Haiti. Once diverted, the ship made a brief stop in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to
refuel and collect food and supplies for humanitarian aid and disaster
relief prior to their arrival in Port-au-Prince. |
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Hospital Ship Comfort to Support Operation Unified Response Haiti
Release Date: 1/18/2010 4:53:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Warner,
USNS Comfort Public Affairs
BALTIMORE (NNS)
-- Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed
Jan. 16 beginning a five to seven day transit to Haiti, where more than 800
military and civilian aid workers aboard the ship will provide relief in
response to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Caribbean nation
Jan. 12.
President Barrack Obama activated the ship, which houses one of the largest
trauma facilities in the U.S., due to its capability to provide a full
spectrum of surgical and medical services.
"The Navy is capable with this vessel, with the large decks, with the men
and women we have and with the aircraft to do a couple of things," said U.S.
Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam G. Robinson. " Number one, we have the
logistical support that is necessary to come and help (overcome) the true
catastrophe that is the earthquake in Haiti; number two, is we have the men
and women who are trained and have the skill sets who are ready to go into
harm's way to help someone else, which is what humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief is all about."
American Red Cross reports indicate that 45,000-50,000 people died in the
initial wave of devastation brought by the earthquake, but many more are
injured or at risk of illness, making Comfort a beacon of hope for millions.
"We plan to care for people medically, mentally and spiritually. We plan to
bring the whole person concept to help heal the nation of Haiti," said Lt.
Janette Arencibia, planning operations medical intelligence officer aboard
Comfort. "The person who needs us the most may be physically okay but
mentally devastated."
The ship was in reduced operating status with a skeleton crew of 18 civil
service mariners and a hospital support staff of 58 military personnel who
care for the ship's medical facilities when the call came to deploy to
Haiti. While the ship is designed to be activated, fully staffed and ready
to sail in five days, crewmembers and embarked personnel from Bethesda,
Portsmouth and San Diego medical centers, as well as numerous other
commands, completed all deployment preparations in less than 96 hours.
Comfort departed her homeport of Baltimore with approximately 850 Sailors
and civilians aboard who have the capability to support 250 patient beds.
"There are hundreds of people helping from San Diego, from Portsmouth and,
especially, from Bethesda where we pulled the bulk of the medical staff to
get people here," said Capt. Jim Ware, commanding officer of the medical
treatment facility on board Comfort. "We are very, very prepared to do this
mission." |
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Maritime Civil Affairs Team Aboard Bataan Prepares to Assist in Haiti
Release Date: 1/18/2010 8:54:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samantha Robinett,
USS Bataan (LHD 5) Public Affairs
USS BATAAN,
At Sea (NNS) -- Nine members of the Maritime Civil Affairs Team (MCAT)
arrived on board the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5)
Jan. 14 and have been preparing to go into Haiti to make a difference.
"The Maritime Civil Affairs Team's overall mission is to coordinate between
all participating units within the area of operation that are currently
operating on the beach," said Electronics Technician 1st Class Joel
Eyzaguirre, a member of the MCAT.
The MCAT embarked on board Bataan will be using information from the
assessment teams to coordinate the most tactical placements for the teams
already in Haiti along with those who will be arriving with Bataan's
Amphibious Relief Mission as part of Operation Unified Response.
"We are a reach-back," said Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) Daniel Bada,
also a member of the MCAT. "They are going to assess the situation then pass
the information to us and we distribute that information amongst the
element."
The element includes teams from the Navy along with the Marine Corps, Coast
Guard, Air Force and many foreign agencies. Many of these teams already have
people in Haiti assessing the damage and preparing for assistance while
still making a difference for the Haitians.
"We'll have a team on the ground, if not tonight, then early tomorrow, and
they will send back information," said Eyzaguirre. "They are there to figure
out where we would be most effective. We are a very small team, so we really
have to think of where we can be placed to have the biggest impact."
Operation Unified Response already has a number of military organizations
able to deliver food and water and provide medical and engineering buildings
for the people of Haiti.
"There are a lot of moving parts in this effort," said Eyzaguirre. "Our job
as a team on the ground is to talk to all these agencies and to go out and
find the places where these resources need to go."
Eyzaguiree and Bada both say they are ready to arrive in Haiti and lend a
hand to the Haitians and the relief efforts already in place.
"It's where we need to go," said Eyzaguirre. "It's what we got into this
for, to do just this kind of thing. To be called upon and act in the
circumstances."
Bataan, USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and USS Gunston
Hall (LHD 44) deployed to provide military support capabilities to civil
authorities and to help stabilize and improve the situation in the wake of
this disaster. |
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Safety Measures Protect
Ship From Piracy
Release Date: 1/18/2010 3:58:00 PM
By Mass
Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rachel McMarr, U.S. Naval Forces Central
Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet
Public Affairs
MANAMA,
Bahrain (NNS) -- Jamaica-flagged Motor Vessel (M/V) Miltiades came under
attack and successfully deterred suspected pirates Jan. 17, while transiting
approximately 130 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen.
The pirate skiff fired on the M/V with AK-47 rifles. The Miltiades embarked
security team fired red flares and the ship took recommended evasive
maneuvers to cause the skiff to break off the attack. No injuries or damages
were reported aboard Miltiades.
Early detection of suspected attacks is the first line of defense against
piracy, but other practices include using flares, out running attackers or
using heavy wheel movements, use of non-lethal devices, such as netting,
water hoses, electric fencing, wire and long-range acoustic devices. These
practices have proven effective at deterring piracy.
"We continue to highlight the importance of preparation by the merchant
mariners and the maritime industry," said Commodore Tim Lowe, deputy
commander of the Combined Maritime Forces. "The efforts of the coalition
naval forces deployed to the region are deterring and disrupting pirate
attacks. However, when vessels have practiced self protection measures, the
risk of being pirated has been greatly reduced."
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), operating out of Bahrain, continues to urge
mariners to employ defensive measures when transiting the Horn of Africa,
Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
CMF patrols more than 2.5 million square miles of international waters to
conduct both integrated and coordinated operations with a common purpose: to
increase the security and prosperity of the region by working together for a
better future. CMF is working to defeat terrorism, prevent piracy, reduce
illegal trafficking of people and drugs, and promote the maritime
environment as a safe place for mariners with legitimate business. |
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UPDATE: U.S. Navy Delivers Assistance, Capabilities to Unified Response
Release Date: 1/17/2010 2:53:00 PM
From Defense Media Activity Anacostia
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- As the maritime component of Unified Response, the U.S. Navy is
part of a larger U.S. Government effort led by the Department of State and
the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in response to the
request for assistance from the Government of Haiti after the devastating
earthquake of Jan. 12.
With agility and flexibility, the U.S. Navy is key enabler of the role of
the U.S. military to rapidly respond with critically needed capabilities to
deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the areas that the
Government of Haiti deems most necessary.
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Normandy (CG 60), USS
Underwood (FFG 36), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and
USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51), are on station in the vicinity of Haiti in support of
host nation, U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) efforts to conduct Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster
Relief operations in order to prevent human suffering and additional loss of
life.
USS Bataan (LHD 5), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50)
are en route Haiti with embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary
Unit (MEU 22) and are expected to arrive Jan. 18. In addition, USS Gunston
Hall (LSD 41) has been diverted to Haiti and also is scheduled to arrive
Jan. 18. These amphibious platforms will form a "sea base" from which
humanitarian supplies can be moved ashore via helicopters and landing craft.
Bataan also has robust medical facility that includes nearly 50 medical
professionals as well as X-ray facilities, a 600-bed hospital, operating
rooms, an intensive care unit, pharmacy and laboratory.
Approximately 1,480 U.S. military personnel are supporting Operation Unified
Response on the ground in Haiti. Approximately 4,400 additional U.S.
military personnel are supporting from U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels
operating in Haitian waters.
The following numbers provide a glimpse of the impact these service members
are making:
- More than 2,000 American citizens have been evacuated to Orlando, Fla.,
Homestead Air Force Base (AFB), Fla., or McGuire AFB, Pa.
- Maritime forces have distributed 20,160 rations of food since Tuesday.
-USS Carl Vinson delivered more than 30 pallets of relief supplies for
distribution to affect areas Saturday. Nineteen helicopters embarked on the
carrier are also flying airlift missions in support of relief efforts.
- More than 100,000 bottles of water were delivered Sunday. With water being
one of the most precious commodities, the focus continues to be on taking
advantage of every opportunity to bring water ashore.
- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) received seven injured Haitian civilians at
approximately 7:30 p.m. EST Saturday when a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60J Jayhawk
helicopter on a MEDEVAC mission was forced to divert due to weather. The
helicopter was taking the earthquake victims from Port-Au-Prince to a
hospital near Cap-Haďtien Cape Haitien on the island's northern coast. USS
Carl Vinson medical personnel are currently treating the seven Haitians,
including a one-two-hourday old infant.
- USS Higgins (DDG 76), homeported in San Diego, is providing afloat
logistical services for the Coast Guard helicopters.
- USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2), a dry cargo ship and USNS 1st LT Jack Lummus
(T-AK 3011), a dry cargo ship capable of offloading cargo without a port are
scheduled to arrive in the next week.
- USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), homeported in Baltimore, Md., got underway Jan. 16
and is making best course and speed to the area and is expected to arrive in
the area in the next three days. USNS Comfort's primary mission is to
provide an afloat, mobile, acute surgical medical facility to the U.S.
military that is flexible, capable and uniquely adaptable to support
expeditionary warfare. Comfort's secondary mission is to provide full
hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian
operations worldwide. The ship comes with approximately 600 medical
personnel and an expanded 1,000-bed hospital facility.
- On Jan. 14, Comfort the ship was in a scheduled maintenance availability.
In the course of 72 hours, the Military Sealift command transformed an
industrial shipboard site into an up and ready mobile naval hospital, fully
staffed and equipped with the most up-to-date medical technology, ready to
provide medical care to our neighbors in desperate need in Haiti.
- USNS Comfort, a 894-foot long ship, has a full spectrum of hospital
services to support disaster relief efforts. Comfort has one of the largest
trauma facilities in the United States and has four X-rays, one CAT scan
unit, an MRI unit, a dental suite, a pharmacy and an optometry and lens
laboratory. The ship also maintains up to 5,000 units of blood and can serve
as many as 1,000 patients.
- Navy P-3 Orion aircraft are conducting aerial surveys of the area affected
by the earthquake.
- Sailors from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's Combat Camera, Maritime
Civil Affairs, Maritime Security, Expeditionary Logistic Support and Seabee
units, as well as other Navy divers and engineers are supporting disaster
response efforts and bring a diverse capability including assessment,
construction, security, civil affairs and logistical support.
- Various units are prepared to provide assistance with sea-based
helicopters, to include H-53 Sea Stallions and H-60 Seahawks.
Another big part of the maritime relief effort is to start the rebuilding of
port facilities near the Haitian capital. USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51), a rescue
and salvage ship with embarked FBI dive team arrived Jan. 17 to conduct
surveys and assessments necessary to repair the port. This effort will be
reinforced by USNS Henson (T-AGS-63), an oceanographic survey ship, and USS
Bunker Hill (CG 52), which are scheduled to arrive Jan. 20. Additionally,
USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2), a dry cargo ship, and USNS Sumner (T-AGS-61), an
oceanographic survey ship, are scheduled to arrive Jan 22. USNS 1st LT Jack
Lummus (T-AK 3011), a dry cargo ship, is scheduled to arrive Jan. 21.
USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198), a replenishment oiler, is supporting the effort by
refueling the ships.
Navy units supporting this effort are under the operational control of U.S.
Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO). As the Navy component command of U.S.
Southern Command, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval forces operating
in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with
partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Routine operations
include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation,
military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.
The last time the Navy supported U.S. disaster relief efforts in Haiti was
in September 2008. For 19 days the amphibious ship USS Kearsarge using
embarked helicopters and amphibious landing craft to delivered 3.3 million
pounds of internationally-donated aid to communities isolated by flooding,
and mudslides and damaged roads. |
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USS Normandy
Arrives off Coast of Port-Au-Prince
Release Date: 1/17/2010 1:33:00 PM
From U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs
USS
NORMANDY, At Sea (NNS) -- The cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) arrived off the
coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 17 to support Operation Unified
Response, the joint U.S. military relief effort for earthquake victims.
Normandy, homeported in Norfolk, Va., will support relief efforts by
providing air surveillance for the heavy air traffic in the area. The ship
will also act as a ready deck, or an at sea platform able to accept
helicopters on deck and provide refueling services.
Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 46, from Mayport, Fla., has
two SH-60B helicopters on board Normandy and will also contribute to the
relief efforts with additional airlift support.
As the Navy component command of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Naval
Forces Southern Command's mission is to direct U.S. Naval forces operating
in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with
partner nations navies within the maritime environment. Routine operations
include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation,
military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.
SOUTHCOM is well-versed in providing humanitarian assistance to the region.
Since 2005, the command has led U.S. military support to 14 major relief
missions, including assistance to Haiti in September 2008. During that
mission, U.S. military forces airlifted 3.3 million pounds of aid to
communities that were devastated by a succession of major storms. |
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USS Carl Vinson
Receives Haitian MEDEVAC Patients
Release Date: 1/17/2010 9:27:00 AM
From USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
USS CARL
VINSON, At sea (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
received seven injured Haitian civilians at approximately 7:30 p.m. EST Jan.
16 when a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60J Jayhawk helicopter on a medical evacuation
mission was forced to divert due to weather.
The helicopter was taking the earthquake victims from Port-Au-Prince to a
hospital near Cape Haitien on the island's northern coast. The ship's
medical personnel are currently treating the seven Haitians, including a
two-hour old infant.
The aircraft carrier, which arrived on scene within 72 hours of tasking, is
supporting the unified U.S. military response to the disaster by providing
its 19 helicopters to airlift humanitarian supplies to the Haitian people. |
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Gunston Hall Deploys in Support of Relief Operations in Haiti
Release Date: 1/17/2010 9:30:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Stratton, USS
Gunston Hall Public Affairs
USS GUNSTON
HALL, At sea (NNS) -- USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed Joint Expeditionary
Base Little Creek-Fort Story Jan. 15 as part of the U.S. Navy humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief efforts for the victims of the earthquake
near Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
"The fact that we are flexible and are well versed in these types of
operations makes us the platform of choice for these missions" said Cmdr.
Fred Wilhelm, commanding officer of Gunston Hall. "We bring the capability
of making 72,000 gallons of water a day, we have medical facilities on
board, and we're bringing landing craft, along with Marines to help with any
tasks that might come our way."
Originally planning to deploy to Africa as part of Africa Partnership
Station (APS) West, that mission was placed on hold to take part in relief
efforts. Gunston Hall was to begin the Navy's third APS deployment, with an
international staff headed by Capt. Cindy Thebaud, commodore of Destroyer
Squadron 60.
"It's particularly fitting that we have a multi-national team on board
because this will undoubtedly be an international effort over the long haul
for the response to the disaster in Haiti," Thebaud said.
The ship got underway with approximately 130 Marines aboard as part of a
Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) originally slated for the APS mission,
with additional Marines being brought aboard on the way to Haiti.
Teamwork is essential in missions like this, according to the MAGTF
Commander, Marine Lt. Col. John Golden.
"Sailors and Marines are always excited to go to sea for the real mission,"
said Golden. "A great aspect of this mission to Haiti is that one of our APS
missions was to train our host nation to conduct humanitarian, disaster, and
recovery efforts, and, that will now be done for real."
Gunston Hall Sailors are also eager to pitch in, as are the international
APS staff.
"This is my first deployment and I'm really excited that we're going to
Haiti to help out," said Engineman 3rd Class Kenneth Blessant. "I'm a small
boat engineer and will help transport some of the Marines and supplies to
the beach."
"Being from a poor country, I understand how the Haitian people feel," said
Lt. Assane Seye, a naval officer from Senegal taking part in APS. "I know
that I would be very happy to receive help if I needed it, which is why I am
very proud and grateful to be part of this mission."
Gunston Hall, a Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship, recently
completed a mid-life modernization availability. The work included major
upgrades to the ship's control system, local area network and machinery
control system, propulsion systems, HVAC, as well as replacement of the
ship's boilers and evaporators with an all-electric services system.
Africa Partnership Station West is an international initiative developed by
Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa that aims to improve maritime
safety and security in West and Central Africa. |
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NHB Staff
Preparing to Support Relief Efforts in Haiti
Release Date: 1/17/2010 9:32:00 AM
By Douglas H. Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs
BREMERTON,
Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) has quickly mobilized staff
members to support the humanitarian assistance and disaster response in
Haiti.
"Supporting the relief effort for Haiti will showcase what we do better than
anyone, and I am proud of everyone who is going on to help out in this time
of crisis," said Capt. Mark Brouker, NHB commanding officer. "Being part of
this Haiti contingent will be a life changing experience for some, perhaps
all, and shows a lot of flexibility for which we are very thankful."
NHB's Executive Department determined those needed for the Haiti relief
support mission and the command's Operational Readiness Department
immediately commenced preparing the necessary paperwork for all those
deploying.
"We make sure everyone's paperwork, from their medical and personal records
to current immunizations to legal to their travel orders, are up to date,"
said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Lawrence Duran.
"Being a part of this mission is the right thing to do," said Cmdr. Janine
Wood, Navy Nurse Corps. "I'm excited and nervous and still a little in
shock. It's almost easier to get ready to pack up and move out in a few days
and not have time to dwell on it than going on a individual augmentee
deployment, where we now usually find out about 60 days beforehand."
According to Brouker, it's too early to begin to know how long the NHB team
will be gone, their deployment status will not impact patient care at NHB.
The final destination is still to be determined for the NHB team. |
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USS Underwood En Route to Haiti
Release Date: 1/16/2010 4:49:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leona Mynes, U.S.
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO
BAY, CUBA (NNS) -- The frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) stopped overnight at
U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Jan. 15 while en route to
earthquake-devastated Haiti.
The naval station provided logistical support to Underwood while the ship
prepared for its humanitarian aid mission in the Caribbean.
"[The naval station] is going to provide us with fuel, food and water before
we leave tomorrow to head down to Haiti," said Ens. Kim Hanson, Underwood's
public affairs officer.
When Underwood departs Guantanamo Bay, she will sail approximately 200 miles
east to provide support for disaster relief and humanitarian aid for
earthquake victims.
"We've been preparing for a mission like this throughout our 20-week
training cycle," said Cmdr. Frank Bowden, Underwood's commanding officer.
Underwood was in the midst of this training cycle when they received orders
to head south, said Bowden.
"We are warfighters first and foremost, being in the military, but we are
very compassionate people," Bowden said. "As far as helping our people,
everyone on board our ship and in the Navy as a whole wants to make sure
that the people of Haiti and whoever needs help around the world gets it." |
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CNO Speaks at LCS 2
Commissioning in Mobile
Release Date: 1/16/2010 10:39:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Kyle P.
Malloy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
MOBILE,
Ala. (NNS) -- Chief of naval operations (CNO) helped welcome the newest
Littoral Combat Ship USS Independence (LCS 2) to the fleet at its
commissioning ceremony in Mobile, Ala., Jan. 16.
CNO, Adm. Gary Roughead, spoke at the ceremony about the mission
capabilities and the role USS Independence will have helping the Navy
continue to be a global force for good.
"LCS will have the capability…to secure the littoral regions upon which
communities rely on for food, transportation and for their well-being," said
Roughead, "and to protect critical chokepoints in the global supply chain,
to launch unmanned air, underwater and surface vehicles that will keep our
trade at sea and our men and women ashore safe from harm."
Roughead went on to point out the impact this new class of ship will have on
future naval operations.
"What this ship class will do, because of its modular capabilities, its
speed, its shallow draft …will take the banner of American independence to
the seas and shores of every continent and ensure the freedom and security
of the seas upon which all nations rely," said Roughead.
CNO recognized the Sailors of the blue and gold crews aboard Independence
who brought her to life, saying the commissioning could never have happened
had it not been for their hard work and commitment.
"There are no two crews who are more important to this ship in its lifetime
than yours. The standards that you set, the tone you will create will be
with this ship forever." said Roughead.
Independence is the first LCS Independence Class vessel and is the second
LCS ship to be commissioned, following USS Freedom (LCS 1). The new naval
ship's design is to produce a highly technological and capable vessel, while
promoting increased accuracy of maritime strategy operating close to shore. |
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USS Independence Commissioned
Release Date: 1/16/2010 5:24:00 PM
By Surface Forces Public Affairs
MOBILE,
Ala. (NNS) -- Nearly 500 guests braved the rain today in Mobile, Ala., to
attend the commissioning of USS Independence (LCS 2).
Independence joins USS Freedom (LCS 1) in the revolutionary Littoral Combat
Ship (LCS) class, already making its mark on the fleet.
"LCS will have the capability...to secure the littoral regions upon which
communities rely on for food, transportation and for their well-being," said
Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, "and to protect critical
chokepoints in the global supply chain, to launch unmanned air, underwater
and surface vehicles that will keep our trade at sea and our men and women
ashore safe from harm."
LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in
naval warfighting technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat
"anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including fast
surface craft, quiet diesel submarines, and mines. To meet the combatant
commander's increased demand for mission-tailored forces packages, LCS
features an interchangeable modular design that allows the ship to be
reconfigured to meet mission requirements.
"LCS is the future of our surface Navy," said Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis,
Commander, Naval Surface Forces. "This program will complement the strengths
of larger warships. LCS will be a deterrent of green and brown water
threats; the flexibility, versatility, and smart design of Independence make
it well suited for joint operations."
Independence is a 419-foot aluminum trimaran, the first of its design in the
surface fleet. It has a displacement of 2,800 metric tons, is capable of
speeds in excess of 45 knots, and can operate in water less than 20 feet
deep. Propelled by four water jets in addition to two diesel and two gas
turbine engines, the ship boasts a range of over 3,500 nautical miles.
Independence was christened by Mrs. Doreen Scott, wife of the 10th Master
Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Terry Scott, in a ceremony in Mobile, Ala.
on Oct. 4, 2008. The ship completed builder's sea trials in the Gulf of
Mexico, and was delivered to the Navy on Dec. 18, 2009.
"The crews are immensely excited to reach commissioning," said Cmdr. Curt
Renshaw, commanding officer, Blue Crew. "They have been waiting and
preparing a long time to do what they are doing today."
"We are also excited to have the people who built the ship be a part of the
ceremony against the great backdrop of a supportive city," said Cmdr.
Michael Riley, commanding officer, Gold Crew. "We are extremely pleased to
celebrate this occasion in Mobile."
The Sailors who brought the ship to life today are part of an innovative
manning reconstruct that reduces crew size, demanding each Sailor maintain
high levels of proficiency in multiple fields, and optimizes ship
operability with multiple crews. Independence is manned by two rotational
crews, "blue" and "gold," of 40 Sailors each. These crews are further
augmented by detachment specialists for each of the mission modules.
"It was a pretty special honor to be named as the first boatswain's mate of
the watch," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Katrina Williams. "I will
be the first watch on the USS Independence, and I was chosen by my
superiors, that means a lot to me. "
"This is a chance for my parents and my fiancée's parents to come and see
what I'm doing, where I live, the jobs I will be doing and most important,
where I will be working," said Engineman 1st Class (SW) Benjamin Standon,
who welcomed 15 members of his family to the audience.
The rotational crew model is already proving effective aboard USS Freedom (LCS
1), Independence's predecessor in the LCS class. Freedom is currently
readying for her maiden deployment, accelerated approximately two years. The
Navy expects to learn key operational lessons about Freedom in a deployment
setting, and to integrate those lessons into the larger LCS fleet, projected
to eventually reach 55 ships.
Independence will conduct further testing and evaluation before eventually
heading toward its homeport in San Diego. |
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Carl Vinson Begins Humanitarian Operations in Southern Command
Release Date: 1/16/2010 8:21:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Thompson,
USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl
Vinson (CVN 70) with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 began humanitarian
and disaster relief operations Jan. 15 after arriving on station Thursday.
Carl Vinson and CVW 17 received orders from U.S. Southern Command to deliver
assistance to the Caribbean nation following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake
which caused catastrophic damage within the capital city Jan. 12.
"We've been able to complete our first mission which was to deliver aid and
supplies to the airport," said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 1, Rear Adm.
Ted Branch, the joint force maritime component commander.
The Carl Vinson is part of a comprehensive Department of Defense and U.S.
government approach to disaster relief in Haiti. Navy expeditionary forces
are deploying to provide on-scene assessment, construction, security civil
affairs and logistics support in conjunction with interagency and
multinational partners.
"The task ahead is a daunting one, but we have Sailors who are eager to be
part of the solution," said Branch.
"We have great Sailors and agency partners; lots of people trying to do good
things."
Since humanitarian assistance and disaster response are part of the U.S.
maritime force core capabilities, Carl Vinson is uniquely positioned to
provide assistance.
"One of the great benefits of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is that we
were able to proceed at 30 knots for two full days to arrive on station,"
said Carl Vinson Commanding Officer, Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey. "Our
flexibility, speed and sustainability enable us to immediately begin the
relief efforts."
Commander, U.S. Naval Force Southern Command directs U.S. naval forces
operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and
interaction with regional partner nation navies. |
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Navy Medicine
Responds to Haiti Earthquake Disaster
Release Date: 1/16/2010 10:05:00 AM
From Bureau of Navy Medicine Public Affairs
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), headquarters of
Navy Medicine, responded swiftly with humanitarian assistance and disaster
relief efforts in the devastating aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake felt in
Haiti's capital Jan. 12.
The Navy hospital ship, USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), homeported in Baltimore,
deployed Jan. 16 to support the relief efforts in Haiti's capital along with
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Bataan (LHD 5). A medical team of 550 Navy
doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff will provide a host of
medical services to include primary care, trauma care, pediatric care and
orthopedic care upon arrival in Haiti. The medical team is comprised of Navy
medical personnel stationed at National Navy Medical Center Bethesda and
Naval Hospital Portsmouth.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitian people and all those affected
by this devastating earthquake," said Vice Adm. Adam Robinson, U.S. Navy
Surgeon General. "This is the meaning of humanitarian assistance- protecting
others even when it places us in harm's way, extending ourselves for the
benefit of those in need."
The 894-foot ship has a full spectrum of hospital services to support
disaster relief efforts. It has one of the largest trauma facilities in the
United States and has four X-rays, one CAT scan unit, an MRI unit, a dental
suite, a pharmacy and an optometry and lens laboratory. The ship also
maintains up to 5,000 units of blood and can serve as many as 1,000
patients.
"Human suffering moves us to act, and the expeditionary character of our
naval and marine forces uniquely positions them to provide assistance as the
vanguard of interagency and multinational efforts," said Robinson. "While we
still train our forces to fight and win our nation's wars alongside our
allies, we have adopted a serious focus on humanitarian assistance and
disaster response to help those in need to attack instability and insecurity
so that we help our partner nations create conditions where hope can
flourish."
This will be the second time the Comfort will visit Haiti –the last time was
in April 2009 for 12 days as part of Continuing Promise 2009. |
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Vinson Helicopters Perform Medical Evacuations; "Sea Base" On the Way
Release Date: 1/16/2010 10:04:00 AM
From U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs
ABOARD USS
CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- U.S. Navy helicopters operating from the
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) rescued two American
citizens in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 15.
An SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter, from the "Tridents" of Helicopter Sea Combat
Squadron (HSC) 9 responded to a MEDEVAC call from the Air Force 23rd Special
Tactics Squadron. An Air Force pararescueman (PR) on the scene had just
freed a man from the rubble of the Hotel Montana, but his legs below the
knee were lost. The helicopter's aircrew airlifted the man to USS Carl
Vinson for emergency medical care. Vinson doctors treated his injuries. The
man is in stable condition in the ship's medical ward.
Carl Vinson responded to a second distress call a couple of hours later,
sending an MH-60 Knighthawk from the "Chargers" of HSC-26 to evacuate an
American woman. The woman, a 55-year old Christian missionary, said a wall
collapsed on top of her when the earthquake struck. She is also in stable
condition, undergoing further evaluation by Navy doctors aboard the carrier.
"It looks as though our aircrews may have saved lives," said Rear. Adm. Ted
Branch, Commander of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and Task Force 41,
the U.S. Navy's sea-based humanitarian support mission of Haiti.
While Carl Vinson and the destroyer USS Higgins (DDG-76) were supporting
helicopter operations in support of Joint Task Force Haiti, several U.S.
Navy and Military Sealift Command ships sortied to sail to Haiti to assist
in the relief operation. The dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50)
departed Morehead City, N.C., Jan. 15 while the amphibious assault ship USS
Bataan (LHD 5) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) got underway Jan. 16. The three
ships were in North Carolina to onload a Marine force configured for
humanitarian support. The ships, which have embarked helicopters, landing
craft and robust medical capabilities, will comprise a "sea base" around the
island from which further relief operations can be staged.
"I'm pleased with the tremendous response by both the Navy and Marine Corps
in the flow of forces to Haiti," said Rear Adm. Victory Guillory, Commander,
U.S. 4th Fleet. "The Carl Vinson, with its speed and flexibility, along with
the Higgins and other units that were in the area, are the perfect first
responders. They're providing critical help when it's needed most. Very
soon, we'll have our sea base in place—the right ships with the right
capabilities for sustained relief operations from the sea."
Other ships on the way to assist in the operation are the dock landing ship
USS Gunston Hall (LSD 41), the cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), the frigate USS
Underwood (FFG 36), the rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (ARS 51) and the
oceanographic survey ship USNS Henson (T-AGS 63). Additionally, several
auxiliary ships from the Military Sealift Command (MSC) are en route and
will provide fuel and supplies to sustain the Navy force at sea throughout
the operation.
U.S. Southern Command is well-versed in providing humanitarian assistance to
the region. Since 2005, the command has led U.S. military support to 14
major relief missions, including assistance to Haiti in September 2008.
During that mission, U.S. military forces airlifted 3.3 million pounds of
aid to communities that were devastated by a succession of major storms.
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USNS Comfort Readies to
Leave for Haiti
Release Date: 1/16/2010 12:52:00 AM
By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service
BALTIMORE (NNS)
-- Early last spring, Capt. James Ware was preparing his crew aboard the
hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) for a humanitarian assistance mission
in Haiti, the first stop during a four-month swing through the region.
Ware is overseeing final preparations Jan. 15 to return to Haiti for a more
pressing mission: providing life-saving medical care to victims of a
devastating earthquake that killed tens of thousands and left untold
thousands more injured.
Comfort will leave its home port here early Jan. 16 and is expected to
arrive in Haiti by Jan. 21, delivering a full spectrum of medical and
surgical services aboard one of the country's largest trauma facilities.
"This is a moment when we feel we can have a huge impact," along with other
military medical providers already on the ground, as well as those from
nongovernmental organizations and the international community, Ware said.
"Our hope is to work with those individuals, side by side, to truly help the
people of Haiti."
Comfort will deliver immense capability to the mission. The hulking hospital
ship - three football fields long and one wide – has 250 hospital beds and a
550-person medical team that includes trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons,
head and neck surgeons, eye surgeons and obstetricians and gynecologists.
The team also will include medical professionals from the Navy, Army, Air
Force and U.S. Public Health Service, as well as nongovernmental
organizations.
Ware said he expects his staff to initially see about 500 patients a day
when it arrives in Haiti, working up to 750 or more, and to conduct 20 to 25
surgical procedures a day.
But his big focus Jan. 15 was on getting the ship manned, equipped and
provisioned for the mission ahead. A massive logistical effort was under way
to load the food, water and medical supplies the crew - most from the
National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., but also from its sister
hospitals in Portsmouth, Va., and San Diego, Calif., - will need.
Two cranes worked simultaneously, hoisting palletized loads of bottled
water, packaged meals and other supplies to Comfort's upper decks.
Meanwhile, a long line of tractor trailers that began arriving last night
idled nearby, waiting to offload their supplies. Engine roars mingled with
the ever-present "beep-beep-beep" of forklifts scurrying in almost every
direction alongside the vessel.
Comfort initially will carry enough food and water to sustain its crew – 550
medical specialists and 250 mariners and staff to provide security,
communications and other shipboard support – and the patients who will fill
its 250 hospital beds for up to 60 days, Ware said.
In addition, the ship has enough medical supplies aboard to support a 60-day
combat casualty care mission, he said.
Ware said he's confident he'll have everything he needs on board to proceed
directly to Haiti without having to stop anywhere else en route to pick up
additional crew or supplies.
"We have pushed forward on this end to make sure we have the right
personnel," he said. "We have looked all the way down to the very lowest
seaman on board to determine whether they have the exact skills sets we need
– from an operating technician to a surgeon to a blood-bank specialist.
"And we have identified 99 percent of those individuals," he continued. "So
[the] plan is to leave tomorrow, and we will be moving as quickly as
possible to get to Port-au-Prince Harbor."
As much as 70 percent of the crew already has experience aboard Comfort, or
its sister ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) in San Diego, Ware said. In addition to
on board training sessions conducted every 12 weeks, many participated in
Continuing Promise 2009, Comfort's most recent humanitarian assistance
mission through Latin America and the Caribbean.
During that mission, Comfort treated almost 100,000 patients, including tens
of thousands in Haiti alone.
The visit provided important lessons to the Comfort crew it will apply
during its disaster response mission, he said, but also fostered
relationships that will help in its upcoming mission.
"They are waiting for us to come," Ware said, citing numerous phone calls
and e-mails he has received from people he's already worked with in Haiti.
"And I think those [relationships] will really pay off – not for us, but for
the people of Haiti."
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Olivero, department head for Comfort's operating room, is
preparing for a mission he expects to be heavy in head injuries, crushing
injuries, amputations and other trauma cases. His crew will exercise various
trauma scenarios once it's all onboard and under way, to be sure it's ready
to hit the ground running when it arrives.
Olivero remembers the gratification of Continuing Promise 2009, when "a busy
day for us was a good day, because we were helping many people."
He expects to be even busier during this mission, too, but acknowledged the
circumstances will be a lot tougher to deal with.
"It is going to be good to help people, but the reason you are busy is not
what you want it to be," he said.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Lesley Prasad, one of just 50 permanently
assigned crew members aboard Comfort, said it feels great seeing the
hospital ship provide such a desperately needed service to relieve suffering
in Haiti. It's kept him and his fellow crew members buzzing nonstop for the
past four days "on full steam" to prepare so they're ready to hit the ground
running.
"I feel really good about this," he said, pausing as he ordered last-minute
medical supplies for the mission. "We are the best qualified crew medically,
[and we're] ready to help these people in Haiti," he said. "To be able to
have such a vital role in the effort, it's awesome." |
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Top Navy Doc
Predicts Long USNS Comfort Deployment
Release Date: 1/16/2010 9:26:00 AM
By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
BALTIMORE (NNS) -- The chief of Navy medicine told the crew
of the USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) here Jan. 15 to prepare for a long deployment
to Haiti.
Vice Adm. (Dr.) Adam M. Robinson Jr. visited the crew of the Comfort as they
prepared to leave Baltimore harbor this morning to sail to Haiti.
He said the need is great in Haiti following the magnitude 7 earthquake that
leveled the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12.
"This is not a training mission," Robinson said. "I suspect that we will
have medical and naval assets in Haiti [for] six months minimum, and I think
longer than that."
The medical staff aboard the Comfort mostly is from the National Naval
Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia.
Other specialists from many other Navy hospitals and clinics in the United
States are aboard the hospital ship.
Red Cross officials estimate that 40,000 to 50,000 people were killed in the
earthquake. Countless thousands more are injured, and the Comfort is one
platform that can deliver world-class medical care for those people,
Robinson said.
"You are going to get first-hand experience in a very intense and a very
critical situation in Haiti," the admiral said.
Robinson, who led a medical hospital detachment in Haiti in 1999, said the
deployment to Haiti will be "a life-defining assignment" for the Comfort
crew. On the best days, he said, Haiti is a poor country. It is, in fact,
the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and it suffers from poverty,
deforestation and political uncertainty. Of the 5 million to 6 million
people who live in Haiti, roughly 2 million live in and around
Port-au-Prince. Before the earthquake struck, Haiti had recently been hit by
hurricanes and floods.
The quake destroyed whatever infrastructure existed, Robinson said, and the
country's need is greater today by an order of magnitude.
Still, Robinson said, the medics need to pace themselves, and he asked the
crew and medical staff to watch out for one another. "Make sure you have
each others' backs," he said. Make sure you are there for one another when
you need each other." This, he said, will be very important when they have
been deployed for months.
The scenes in Haiti will be terrible, Robinson warned the crew.
"You will see devastation and injuries and death and destruction that you've
never seen before," he said. "If you feel overwhelmed and feel the need to
talk, … please – my medical children – don't hesitate to do that. There is
no shame in raising your hand and taking a timeout. There is no shame in
asking for help."
The admiral said he is incredibly proud of the professionals who came
together on short notice to make the deployment happen. Medicine, he added,
is a common language that all people understand, and it is a way to bridge
differences.
"Be safe, be smart and take care of one another," Robinson said. "If you do
that, this is going to be a very successful mission." |
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USS
Carl Vinson Arrives in Haiti
By Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Thompson
Special to American Forces Press Service
ABOARD USS CARL VINSON IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA, Jan. 15,
2010 – The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson arrived off the
coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, today to begin humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief operations.
“Our
initial focus is to concentrate on saving lives while providing
first-responder support to the people of Haiti,” said Navy Rear Adm. Ted N.
Branch, commander of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and of the
sea-based portion of the Navy’s humanitarian-support mission in the
earthquake-stricken nation. “Our assistance here reflects our nation’s
compassion and commitment to those impacted by this tragedy.”
The carrier arrived with a robust airlift capability, picking up extra
helicopters while in transit that will prove essential during the mission.
“When tasked to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
operations in Haiti, we immediately headed to Mayport, Fla., at more than 30
knots and loaded 19 helicopters, personnel and support equipment from five
different East Coast Navy squadrons in less than eight hours,” said Navy
Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey, Carl Vinson commanding officer. “There is no other
platform that can do all of that so quickly.” |
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Military Preps for
Broader Haiti Relief Mission
Release Date: 1/14/2010 1:55:00 PM
By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is headed toward
earthquake-devastated Haiti and is scheduled to arrive Jan. 15 to provide
airlift support for the disaster-response mission, the commander of U.S.
Southern Command reported Jan. 13.
Meanwhile, Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser said, Southcom is "seriously
looking" at deploying a large-deck amphibious ship with a 2,000-member
Marine expeditionary unit to provide disaster response and, if required, to
help maintain security.
Several other Defense Department ships and Coast Guard vessels – from small
ships to destroyers to cutters -- also are headed toward Haiti, some with
limited humanitarian assistance supplies and helicopters aboard.
In addition, an 82nd Airborne Division brigade and "various forces around
the armed forces" have been put on alert, ready to deploy if needed to
support the effort, the general said.
The actions are part of a "very robust effort" under way to ensure the
military is ready to respond to requirements identified through ongoing
assessments, Fraser explained during news briefings today at the Pentagon
and the State Department.
"We don't know precisely what the situation is on the ground," he said, "so
we are leaning forward to provide as much capability as quickly as we can to
respond to whatever the need is when we get there."
Meanwhile, the military is taking accountability of its own 64 troops
assigned to Haiti. Most are part of the military liaison group there or
support the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, Fraser said.
Fraser is leading military support to the disaster response mission, being
coordinated through the U.S. Agency for International Development and State
Department's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.
His deputy military commander, Air Force Lt. Gen. P.K. "Ken" Keen, was on
the ground in Haiti when the earthquake struck, and is providing the initial
on-the-ground military command.
The initial thrust in the operation, Fraser said, is on assessing the
situation on the ground to determine what's needed and where, and to provide
communications and command-and-control equipment needed to support relief
efforts.
Toward that end, Southcom is deploying a 30-person team to Haiti this
afternoon to support U.S. relief efforts.
Two Puerto Rico Air National Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft will deliver the
team, made up of U.S. military engineers, operational planners, a
command-and-control group and communication specialists. Once on the ground,
they will work with U.S. Embassy personnel as well as Haitian, U.N. and
international officials to assess the situation and facilitate follow-on
U.S. military support.
"From practice, we've found that the assessments are critical to making sure
we get the right equipment in there and make the recovery efforts and the
life-supporting efforts as efficient as possible," Fraser explained.
Meanwhile, the C-130s are transporting civilian search-and-rescue teams to
Haiti, he said.
Southcom officials reported other immediate response activities:
-- A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter evacuated four critically injured U.S.
Embassy staff to Naval Station Guantanamo, Cuba, hospital for further
treatment earlier today;
-- Elements of the Air Force's 1st Special Operations Wing will arrive in
Haiti this afternoon to provide air traffic control capability and airfield
operations at the Port-au-Prince airport; and
-- A Navy P-3 Orion aircraft took off from Comalapa, El Salvador, early this
morning to conduct an aerial reconnaissance of the area affected by the
earthquake.
An important initial thrust is on getting communications and
command-and-control assets into Haiti to support relief operations, Fraser
told reporters. He noted that the U.N. Mission's headquarters was severely
damaged during the earthquake, with much of its communications equipment
lost.
As communications and other support goes to Port-au-Prince airport to
restore it to full functioning, assessment teams will also evaluate the port
facilities to determine if they are operational to receive incoming aid.
The USS Carl Vinson was on a training mission when it was ordered to Haiti
to support the effort. It will transit through Mayport, Fla., to take on
additional humanitarian support supplies and helicopters before arriving in
Haiti later tomorrow, Fraser said.
The arrival of a yet-undetermined amphibious ship, probably a couple of days
after the Vinson, will provide a broader range of capability to move
supplies around and provide lift capability to support the effort, he said.
While not ruling out a deployment of the hospital ship USS Comfort, Fraser
said the amphibious ship could provide much of the same medical capability.
In the meantime, all available military assets remain on the table as a
clearer picture begins to emerge about what's needed, the general said.
"We're focused on the life-saving measures that we need to do there -- the
assessment, the emergency response -- and then looking at what the
humanitarian and disaster relief requirements are and providing
international support to Haiti, to help them through this significant
disaster," he said. |
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Obama Makes
Haiti Response Top U.S. Priority
Release
Date: 1/14/2010 1:54:00 PM
By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- President Barack Obama said Jan. 14 he's made helping Haiti in the
wake of a crippling earthquake the top priority of every U.S. government
agency.
Speaking from the White House, Obama called the quake an unimaginable
tragedy and said the United States has launched "a swift, coordinated and
aggressive effort" to help.
Flanked by his national security team, the president said the U.S. response
will require help from every government agency and the compassion of
Americans.
"I've made it clear [to Cabinet officers and government agency heads] that
Haiti must be a top priority for their departments and agencies right now,"
Obama said. "This is one of those moments that call out for American
leadership."
American service members are deploying to the area, the president said.
"Several Coast Guard cutters are already there, providing everything from
basic services like water to vital technical support for this massive
logistical operation," he said. "Elements of the Army's 82nd Airborne
Division will arrive today."
The United States also is deploying a Marine expeditionary unit, the
aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the hospital ship USNS Comfort
(T-AH-20).
The first waves of the U.S. rescue and relief effort are on the ground and
at work, the president said.
"An airlift has been set up to deliver high-priority items like water and
medicine," Obama said.
The United States is working closely with the Haitian government, the United
Nations and relief organizations to deliver supplies, but it will take some
time for supplies, personnel and equipment to arrive in Haiti, he added.
"Right now in Haiti, roads are impassible, the main port is damaged and
communications are just beginning to come online, and aftershocks continue,"
he said. "None of this will seem quick enough, … but it's important that
everyone in Haiti understand that one of the largest relief efforts in our
recent history is moving toward Haiti."
The earthquake struck the evening of Jan. 12 near the capital of
Port-au-Prince. The magnitude 7.0 quake flattened many areas of the city.
Port-au-Prince is one of the largest cities in the Caribbean, and Haitian
officials fear that at least 100,000 people may be dead.
American assets are pouring into the country. U.S. search and rescue teams
have arrived, and medical personnel and relief supplies are arriving.
In the best of times, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western
Hemisphere. The country suffers from extreme poverty, deforestation, a lack
of infrastructure and political instability.
Obama pledged not to forsake the people of Haiti in their hour of need.
"American stands with you. The world stands with you," he said. "We know you
are a strong and resilient people. You have endured a history of slavery and
struggle and natural disaster and recovery. Through it all, your spirit has
been unbroken and your faith unwavering. Today, you must know that help is
arriving and much more help is on the way." |
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Sailors from MCAST Prepare for Deployment en route to Haiti
Release
Date: 1/14/2010 4:57:00 PM
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Katrin
Albritton, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS)
-- Sailors from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) brought their gear
on board USS Bataan (LHD 5) Jan. 13, in preparation for their deployment to
support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts following a
magnitude 7.0 earthquake which struck southern Haiti Jan. 12.
A nine-man Maritime Civil Affairs Team (MCAT), from Maritime Civil Affairs
and Security Training (MCAST) Command, will be on hand to assist theater
commanders with engagement and security, as well as to establish relations
between governmental and non-governmental organizations and the civilian
populace.
"We are deploying an experienced Maritime Civil Affairs Planner and MCAT
team to support the needs of the Haitian people," said MCAST Commodore Capt.
Claudia Risner. "MCAST is able to address a unique need in planning and
conducting maritime security operations, humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief."
The team includes a French speaking Sailor who has deployed to Haiti before
and a native Haitian who is familiar with the area. The team members'
cultural awareness and experience is a key element in their ability to
quickly relate to the local people and to help alleviate suffering.
The expeditionary character of NECC forces uniquely positions them to
quickly support out nation's response to the tragedy in Haiti. NECC forces
support the Maritime Strategy with the agility and flexibility needed to
provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the Haitian people. |
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Sailors from MSRON-6 Prepare for Deployment en route to Haiti
Release
Date: 1/14/2010 4:46:00 PM
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Katrin
Albritton, Navy Expeditionary
NORFOLK (NNS)
-- Sailors from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) loaded their gear
on board USS Ft. McHenry (LSD 43) Jan. 14, in preparation for their
deployment to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts
following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake which struck southern Haiti Jan. 12.
More than 140 Sailors from Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON)
6, assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 2, loaded four
patrol boats, communications gear and other types of equipment to assist
with their upcoming mission.
"We're saving lives, doing our jobs, here to do protection," said Chief
Boatswain's Mate (SW) Richard Glessner, a member of MSRON-6. "There are a
lot of displaced people who heed our help and we're happy to do our job."
Another member of MSRON-6 is facing this from a personal perspective.
Boatswain's Mate ate Seaman Dominique Pierre, who is originally from la
Turture, Haiti, is a member of MSRON-6, and preparing to deploy along with
this squadron.
"I don't know if my family is okay, yet," Pierre said. "But everything
happens for a reason, and we're going to help people. I'm ready to do my
job."
The expeditionary character of NECC forces uniquely positions them to
quickly support out nation's response to the tragedy in Haiti. NECC forces
support the Maritime Strategy with the agility and flexibility needed to
provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the Haitian people. |
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NATO
Commander Expects 'Significant Progress' in Afghanistan
Release
Date: 1/14/2010 4:30:00 PM
By John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- NATO's top military commander expects significant progress in
Afghanistan before the scheduled departure of U.S. troops begins in July
2011, a timeline that he said lends focus to the mission.
The remarks Jan. 13 by Adm. James G. Stavridis, NATO's supreme allied
commander for Europe, add weight to an American troop withdrawal start date
that has been criticized as representing more a symbolic aspiration than a
realistic commitment.
"I have great confidence that as we get forward toward 2011, we're going to
have significant progress," Stavridis said in an interview. "If we do that,
we will be able to start transitioning over to an Afghan security force
lead, and that's going to be the key."
Characterizing the significance of the July 2011 target built into the new
U.S. strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan announced last month, Stavridis
backed a statement by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
"I saw President Karzai in an interview last night saying that the 2011 date
does not concern him; it helps focus things," Stavridis said. "I think
that's a good way to think about it."
The new strategy President Barack Obama unveiled last month will send an
additional 30,000 U.S. troops and at least 7,000 more NATO forces to
Afghanistan, bringing the total there to around 150,000. The U.S. deployment
is expected to include a brigade-sized element to train Afghan forces - a
key component undergirding the transfer of responsibility to Afghanistan to
begin in July 2011 that will enable the potential drawdown of American
troops.
During a congressional hearing a day after the Dec. 1 strategy rollout,
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said the 18-month deadline signals the
need for the Afghan government in Kabul to claim greater responsibility and
shows the American public the war isn't open-ended.
Though any reduction in U.S. forces in July 2011 would be based on
conditions on the ground, Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee,
the Defense Department expects to be able to transition uncontested areas to
Afghan responsibility and gradually draw down at that time.
Echoing these remarks, Stavridis today emphasized the importance of handing
over authority from the United States and NATO to Afghan forces.
"I'm very confident, as we get forward to 2011, we're going to have serious
momentum in this area, because we're putting very significant resources
against it from the whole NATO alliance," said Stavridis. "It will be job
No. 1."
The Afghan military is slated to increase from 134,000 troops in December
2010 to 170,000 by July 2011. Some 70,000 U.S. and 43,000 NATO forces are in
Afghanistan now as the increase of forces gets under way.
Similarly to the drop-off in violence that came in the wake of a U.S. troop
surge in Iraq, Stavridis said, success in Afghanistan also will take shape
through better security and improvements in government institutions.
"I think progress and success will look a lot like Iraq does today," said
Stavridis. "I think what we'll end up with is a nation that will have
reasonable control over its borders, it will have a reduced level of
corruption and terrorist attacks, it will have a strong and dedicated
security force, both in the army and in the police side, and I think we will
then be able to transition province by province." |
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NTTC Meridian
Named Bainbridge Award Winner
Release
Date: 1/14/2010 4:40:00 PM
From Center for Service Support Public Affairs
NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Meridian was
named the 2009 USS Bainbridge Award winner by the director of the Navy Staff
on Jan. 7.
The command was recognized for its outstanding contributions in its
volunteer support efforts to the local community by Vice Adm. Sam Locklear
via Navy message sent to the fleet.
NTTC personnel, as part of the Staff/Students Helping Interesting People in
the Meridian Area Through Enthusiastic Service (SHIPMATES) program, logged
more than 36,000 volunteer hours. Throughout the year, SHIPMATES supported
such programs as Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity and Love's Kitchen.
They also tutored students at their Personal Excellence Partnership school
(West Kemper Elementary School), donated blood to the local community, and
participated in Arbor Day and Earth Day events.
"Unquestionably, the best reward our volunteers earn is the unique feeling
of serving the community and our great nation while, at the same time,
making a difference in people's lives," said Cmdr. Chris Bownds, NTTC
Meridian commanding officer.
"All of NTTC Meridian's programs are designed to improve quality of life
within the local community through volunteerism," said Bownds. "Results are
immediate and clearly visible, promoting a sense of accomplishment, and
further empowering Navy's young Sailors with the knowledge that they can
make a difference. It encourages them to take a more active role in the
future through proactive engagement and leadership."
NTTC volunteers who participated in the many community service projects not
only gave back to the community, making a difference in the lives of their
neighbors, but they also gained something personal in return.
"Our projects are successful because of the dedication and willingness of
our volunteers to contribute their time in order to make a difference," said
Ship's Serviceman 1st Class David M. Zepeda. "Their contributions and
efforts have a lasting and direct impact on the local community and bring
about positive changes in the lives of those they help."
Capt. Bernie Dunn, commanding officer for the Center for Service Support in
Newport, R.I., congratulated the folks at Meridian as well as all of the men
and women throughout the CSS domain for their dedication to communities in
their respective areas.
"Everyone should be proud of your efforts to make the communities we live in
better places," Dunn said. "We are especially proud of our NTTC Meridian
team for their great example in support of the Meridian community and, in
the process, instilling values of contribution, engagement and teamwork for
our new Sailors."
The USS Bainbridge Award is named in honor of its namesake ship, whose crew
provided tremendous community support, and is given to a Navy command in
recognition of volunteer efforts working with America's communities. |
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Vinson
Deploys to Respond to Haiti Earthquake
Release
Date: 1/13/2010 7:15:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Robert A.
Wood Sr., U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs
MAYPORT,
Fla. (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) has been ordered to deploy to Haiti
to conduct Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) missions Jan.
13. Currently, Vinson is underway in the Atlantic Ocean, and will briefly
loiter off the coast of Mayport to receive equipment and supplies.
Along with Vinson, USS Bataan (LHD 5) embarked with Marines from the 22nd
Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU 22), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), and USS
Carter Hall (LSD 50) were ordered to get underway as soon as possible.
Additionally, USS Normandy (CG 60) and USS Underwood (FFG 36) will deploy
from their homeports and stand ready to assist, while USNS Comfort
(T-AH-20), homeported in Baltimore, Md., is preparing to get underway, if
required.
A Navy P-3 Orion aircraft from the Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 detachment
operating from Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa, El Salvador,
took off early this morning to conduct aerial surveys of the area affected
by the earthquake.
USS Higgins (DDG 76) based out of Naval Station San Diego will arrive on
station off the coast of Haiti tomorrow to provide afloat logistical
services for the Coast Guard helicopters.
Additionally, various units are prepared to provide assistance with
sea-based helicopters, to include H-53 Sea Stallions and H-60 Seahawks.
As the Navy component command of U.S. Southern Command, NAVSO's mission is
to direct U.S. Naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South
American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime
environment. Routine operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater
security cooperation, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and
multinational training. |
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SOUTHCOM to
Deploy Assessment Team to Haiti
Release
Date: 1/13/2010 5:17:00 PM
From U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs
MIAMI (NNS)
-- A team of 30 people from U.S. Southern Command will deploy to Haiti in
support of U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake
Jan. 12.
The team, which includes U.S. military engineers, operational planners, a
command and control group and communication specialists, will arrive in
Haiti Jan. 13 on two C-130 Hercules aircraft.
The team is scheduled to work with U.S. Embassy personnel as well as
Haitian, United Nations and international officials to assess the situation
and facilitate follow-on U.S. military support.
Other immediate response activities include;
- At first light today, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter evacuated four
critically injured U.S. Embassy staff to the Naval Station Guantanamo, Cuba,
hospital for further treatment.
- Elements of the U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing are deploying
today to the international airport at Port au Prince, Haiti, to provide air
traffic control capability and airfield operations. They are expected to
arrive in Haiti this afternoon.
- A U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft from the Forward Operating Location at
Comalapa, El Salvador, took off early this morning to conduct an aerial
reconnaissance of the area affected by the earthquake.
- The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), is underway and
expected to arrive off the coast of Haiti Jan. 14. Additional U.S. Navy
ships are underway to Haiti.
Florida-based SOUTHCOM is closely monitoring the situation and is working
with the U.S. State Department, United States Agency for International
Development and the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance and other
national and international agencies to determine how to best respond to this
crisis.
SOUTHCOM is well versed at providing humanitarian assistance in the region.
Since 2005, the command has led U.S. military support to 14 major relief
missions, including assistance to Haiti in September 2008. During that
mission, U.S. military forces from USS Kearsarge and other units airlifted
3.3 million pounds of aid to communities that were devastated by a
succession of major storms. |
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Navy
to Commission Littoral Combat Ship Independence
Release
Date: 1/13/2010 6:52:00 PM
From Department of Defense
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- The Navy will commission Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Independence
Jan. 16 during an 11 a.m. CST ceremony at Cooper Riverside Park in Mobile,
Ala.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead will deliver the ceremony's
principal address. Doreen Scott, wife of the former Master Chief Petty
Officer of the Navy Terry Scott, will serve as ship's sponsor. In the
time-honored Navy tradition, she will give the first order to "man our ship
and bring her to life!"
Five previous ships have been named Independence, which recognizes the
cornerstone of our nation's foundation that many Americans have sacrificed
to ensure. The first Independence was a 10-gun sloop that served during the
War of Independence. The second Independence, the first ship of the line in
the Navy, was launched in 1814 as a 74-gun ship, but later refitted to a
54-gun frigate. The third Independence served with the Naval Overseas
Transportation Service following the end of World War I. The fourth
Independence (CVL 22), a small aircraft carrier commissioned in 1943, earned
eight battle stars during World War II. The fifth Independence (CV 62) was
an aircraft carrier commissioned in 1959 and decommissioned in 1998.
The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS Independence (LCS 2)
Dec. 18, 2009, in Mobile. Independence is the second of two sea frames being
produced, and the first LCS of the General Dynamics variant. USS Freedom (LCS
1), the Lockheed Martin variant, was commissioned Nov. 8, 2008.
A fast, agile, and high-technology surface combatant, Independence will be a
platform for launch and recovery of manned and unmanned vehicles. To meet
increased demand for mission-tailored forces packages, its modular design
will support interchangeable mission packages, allowing the ship to be
reconfigured for antisubmarine warfare, mine warfare, or surface warfare
missions on an as-needed basis. The LCS will be able to swap out mission
packages pierside in a matter of days, adapting as the tactical situation
demands. These ships will also feature advanced networking capability to
share tactical information with other Navy aircraft, ships, submarines and
joint units.
Independence is an innovative combatant designed to operate quickly in
shallow water environments to counter challenging threats in coastal
regions, specifically mines, submarines and fast surface craft. The LCS is
capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and can operate in water less than
20 feet deep.
Independence will be manned by one of two rotational crews, Blue and Gold,
similar to the rotational crews assigned to Trident submarines. The crews
will be augmented by one of three mission package crews during focused
mission assignments. The prospective commanding officer of the Blue Crew is
Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, who was born in Louisville, Ky., and raised in New
Albany, Ind. The prospective commanding officer of the Gold Crew is Cmdr.
Michael Riley, a native of Phoenix, Ariz. Independence will be homeported in
San Diego as a part of the Pacific Fleet.
In September 2009, the Navy announced that in an effort to introduce more
effective competition to control costs, it will down select between the two
LCS designs in fiscal 2010. At down select, a single prime contractor and
shipyard will be awarded a fixed price incentive contract for up to ten
ships with two ships in fiscal 2010 and options through fiscal 2014. This
decision was reached after careful review of the industry bids,
consideration of total program costs, and ongoing discussions with the
Congress. |
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Mission
Packages Key to LCS Capabilities
Release
Date: 1/13/2010 7:00:00 PM
By L.t. Sean Riordan, Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs
MOBILE,
Ala. (NNS) -- The littoral combat ship (LCS) is revolutionary in its use of
modularity and open-architecture to ensure it is able to adapt to the
ever-changing threat environment.
"LCS has some core capabilities, but it is largely self-defensive," said
Capt. Michael Good, program manager, LCS Mission Modules. "The embarkable
mission package augments the sea-frame and gives LCS offensive capabilities
in three focused mission areas: mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare
and surface warfare."
"We're more versatile," said Lt. Cmdr. James Schmitt, the pilot of an MH-60S
helicopter that arrived aboard Pre-Commisioning Unit Independence (LCS 2)
Jan. 12. "It is part of the master plan to incorporate more capabilities
into fewer platforms." Schmitt said the helicopter is specifically designed
for the mine countermeasures mission, but it is still able to support other
needs the ship may have.
The MH-60S, from Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, along
with mine countermeasure equipment from LCS Mine Countermeasures (MCM)
Detachment 1, represents a mission package that can be assembled to meet the
specific and changing demands of the maritime strategy.
Mineman 1st Class Ricardo Contreras, who served on a mine countermeasures
ship and is now as part of the LCS MCM detachment, was impressed with the
improvements.
"Since the mission module allows us to be on an LCS, we can go where we need
to go a lot quicker and the unmanned vehicles allow us to reduce the risk
necessary to accomplish the mission."
LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in
naval warfighting technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat
"anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including fast
surface craft, quiet diesel submarines, and mines. To meet the combatant
commander's increased demand for mission-tailored forces packages, LCS
features an interchangeable modular design that allows the ship to be
reconfigured to meet mission requirements.
Independence will be commissioned Jan. 16 in Mobile, Ala. Following
commissioning, Independence will conduct further testing and evaluation
before eventually heading toward its homeport in San Diego. |
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U.S.-Japan Alliance is Cornerstone of Security in Asia, says 7th Fleet
Commander
Release
Date: 1/13/2010 7:02:00 PM
From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs
YOKOSUKA,
Japan (NNS) -- On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan security
treaty, the U.S. Navy's senior commander in the Western Pacific called the
alliance the "cornerstone of peace and stability throughout the Asia-Pacific
region."
"I consider our alliance with Japan to be critical to the security and
stability of this region, and I know our Sailors do as well," said Vice Adm.
John Bird, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet.
"For the past half century this treaty has successfully deterred aggression,
while promoting common values of freedom and democracy, and creating the
conditions that have allowed the economies of Japan and nations around the
region to flourish."
Jan. 19 marks the 50th anniversary of signing of the Treaty of Mutual
Cooperation and Security between the U.S. and Japan. Signed in Washington
D.C. in 1960 and ratified later that year by both nations, the document has
served as foundation for the U.S. Navy's strong working relationship with
the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.
JMSDF and 7th Fleet forces work together on daily basis to train, share
information, coordinate operations, and plan for contingencies. The
bilateral Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX), held last November with nearly 30
ships participating to focus on enhancing command and control and air,
undersea and surface warfare, has been conducted more than 20 times since
its inception.
U.S. Navy and JMSDF ships throughout Japan will be in full dress ship on
Jan. 19 to mark the anniversary. Additionally, the destroyers USS Lassen and
JS Oonami will conduct a joint colors ceremony in Yokosuka. Other
celebrations will be held throughout the year, to include personnel
exchanges, sister ship and squadron events, community service projects and
port visits.
Bird said the commemoration of the alliance symbolizes how the maritime
relationship is honed, tested and strengthened on a daily basis.
"Our mutual understanding of commitments to each other under the security
treaty is the reason for this incredible bond between our Sailors and
between our nations," said Bird. "This alliance has served as the basis for
our strong relationship with the JMSDF, arguably the most critical
navy-to-navy partnership in the world." |
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USS Missouri
Returns, 100 Service Members Reenlist
Release
Date: 1/12/2010 8:11:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico,
Commander Navy Region Hawai‘i Public Affairs
PEARL
HARBOR (NNS) -- More than 100 service members reenlisted aboard the
Battleship Missouri Memorial as the ship returned to its home pier near the
Arizona Memorial Jan. 7.
The former USS Missouri (BB 63) returned to its pier along Battleship Row,
Ford Island, Jan. 7 after three months of extensive maintenance work at
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (PHNS).
During the historic journey back from the dry dock to Battleship Row, Naval
Station Pearl Harbor Executive Officer Capt. Lawrence Scruggs reenlisted the
service members from the different branches.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Scruggs. "To be on a
battleship that had a big historical impact to WWII, it brings home the
sacrifice of our veterans and the hard life that the Sailors of the earlier
days had to maintain a battleship like this. I'm excited to be able to
reenlist our fine Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Soldiers that have been in
harm's way and represent the best of the United States."
Missouri returned after 12 weeks and $18 million worth of preservation and
maintenance work at PHNS's largest dry dock facility.
"We are returning [Missouri] to Battleship Row," said Mike Pagano, the
military liaison for the USS Missouri Memorial Association Inc. "We're going
back to where she belongs. She is one of the bookends of WWII. The Arizona
signifies the beginning of WWII, and the Battleship Missouri represents the
end of WWII. The place of tragedy, the Arizona, the place of triumph, the
Missouri."
After its return to Battleship Row, the ship is scheduled to re-open to the
public on Jan. 30 to show off its new coat of paint, enhanced tour route and
informational signage. A new custom-designed tenting will also be installed
over high traffic areas and special events sites.
"It's almost like she's getting back into service just as these people
[re-enlistees] are saying that, 'I'm going to commit to another three or
four years of going back into the breach, in a time of war,'" said Mike
Pagano, the military liaison for the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc.
Pagano personally coordinated the reenlistment ceremony. He said the
majority of the re-enlistees aboard the ship are signing up for three to
four additional years of service.
Since opening in 1999, the memorial has hosted reenlistments, promotions,
commissionings, retirements and change of command ceremonies for Sailors,
Soldiers, Airmen and Marines. Over the last three years, the memorial has
accommodated an average of 357 military ceremonies for 7,100 military
personnel and guests per year.
Master Sgt. Hoang McChesney, assigned to U.S. Pacific Command, said he was
excited when he heard about the re-enlistment ceremony aboard Missouri
during its return to Battleship Row.
"This was an awesome opportunity," said McChesney. "My wife told me about
it, and I just had to jump on top of it. You never get a chance like this,
so I wanted to do this. I've never been on a ship while it's moving."
McChesney, who has been with the Air Force for 18 years, is looking forward
to serving another four years.
"Right now I just want to finish my degree and start planning for the next
phase of my life," said McChesney. |
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Navy Supply Corps School
Commanding Officer Relieved
Release
Date: 1/11/2010 4:10:00 PM
By Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command Public
Affairs
PENSACOLA,
Fla. (NNS) -- The commanding officer of the Navy Supply Corps School (NSCS)
in Athens, Ga. was relieved of his duties Jan. 8.
Rear Adm. Joseph Kilkenny, commander, Naval Education and Training Command
relieved the commanding officer of NSCS, Capt. John Titus.
Kilkenny cited a loss of confidence in Titus' ability to command as the
reason for his relief.
Cmdr. Raymond P. Wilson, executive officer of the school, has assumed
temporary command until a permanent replacement is identified.
Titus took command of NSCS on Aug. 7, 2008. A reassignment location for
Titus is still to be determined. |
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Keep Your Family Safe: Practice Operational Security on Social Media
Release
Date: 1/11/2010 2:13:00 PM
By Bruce Moody, Fleet and Family Support Program, Commander,
Navy Installations Command
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- Sailors and Navy families can prevent potential adversaries from
discovering critical information on social media sites by practicing
operational security.
Examples of critical information includes where a ship is going and when it
is returning home or information about Sailors who deploy as individual
augmentees.
Navy families, too, should remain vigilant in not volunteering any
information that could unnecessarily put their Sailors in harm's way.
Deployed and even day-to-day operations are in many cases classified, and
those sharing information with each loved ones or friends should recognize
the importance of keeping sensitive information secure.
"Family members are vital to the success of the Navy," Shauna Turner,
manager of the Deployment Support Program at the Fleet and Family Support
Program, said. "But, potential adversaries also understand this."
It is not unprecedented for spouses and family members of U.S. military
personnel to be targeted for intelligence collection. This is true in the
United States and especially true overseas.
Navy family members all know some bits of critical information. It may not
be classified, and it may even seem insignificant. But, to the potential
adversary, it is a piece of the puzzle. The power of emerging media tools is
a two-edged sword: It makes information exceptionally accessible when posted
- for anyone who is interested, including potential adversaries.
When communicating on social media sites do not post the following
information:
- Exact deployment dates or return dates. This applies to ships, subs,
squadrons and individual augmentees.
- Dates or location of a ship's upcoming ports of call.
- Detailed information about a mission.
- References to trends in crew's morale or an individual's personal
problems.
- Details concerning security procedures, response times or tactics.
- Information about equipment readiness.
- Speculations about future operations.
"The main rule is to simply use common sense," Turner said. "Think before
you post. Anything you post on social media, including photos, is instantly
available around the world. When in doubt, don't post it."
Social media sites allow Sailors and Navy families to keep in contact like
never before. It is a wonderful way to feel close to someone who is far
away. Sailors and Navy families are encouraged to enjoy the connection that
social media offers while practicing operational security and keeping
mindful of the risks presented with the widespread dissemination of
information. |
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Navy's Second
Littoral Combat Ship to be Commissioned
Release
Date: 1/8/2010 10:41:00 PM
By Lt.j.g. Jan Bowers, Surface Force Public Affairs
Mobile, Ala. (NNS) -- USS Independence (LCS 2) will be
commissioned Jan. 16 at a ceremony in Mobile, Ala.
Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that
demonstrates the latest in naval warfighting technology. The ship is
specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal
water regions, including fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines and
mines. To meet the combatant commander's increased demand for
mission-tailored forces packages, LCS features an interchangeable modular
design that allows the ship to be reconfigured to meet mission requirements.
"The ship is large enough and flexible enough to hold just about anything
you could think of in terms of coastal and littoral warfare," says Cmdr.
Michael Riley, commanding officer, Gold Crew. "If you build modules we could
carry them. That's one of the true unique things about Independence. I think
we are going to expand way beyond the initial three mission sets the ship
was designed to do, and of course do those extremely well."
Independence is a 419-foot aluminum trimaran, the first of its design in the
Surface Fleet. It has a displacement of 2,800 metric tons, is capable of
speeds in excess of 45 knots, and can operate in water less than 20 feet
deep. Propelled by four water jets in addition to two diesel and two gas
turbine engines, the ship boasts a range of over 3,500 nautical miles.
Independence was christened by Mrs. Doreen Scott, wife of the 10th Master
Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Terry Scott, in a ceremony in Mobile, Ala.
on Oct. 4, 2008. The ship completed builder's sea trials in the Gulf of
Mexico, and was delivered to the Navy on Dec. 18, 2009.
"There are a lot of roles this ship can play to complement the ships we
already have," says Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, commanding officer, Blue Crew.
"Other ships might have more firepower, but lack the speed of LCS. Other
carry more and have a larger flight deck, but cannot defend themselves as
well. LCS fills that niche."
The Sailors who will bring the ship to life on Jan. 16 are part of an
innovative manning reconstruct that reduces crew size, demanding each Sailor
maintain high levels of proficiency in multiple fields, and optimizes ship
operability with multiple crews. Independence is manned by two rotational
crews, "blue" and "gold," of 40 Sailors each. These crews are further
augmented by detachment specialists for each of the mission modules.
The rotational crew model is already proving effective aboard USS Freedom (LCS
1), Independence's predecessor in the LCS class. Freedom is currently
readying for her maiden deployment, accelerated approximately two years. The
Navy expects to learn key operational lessons about Freedom in a deployment
setting, and to integrate those lessons into the larger LCS fleet, projected
to eventually reach 55 ships.
While Freedom prepares for early deployment, Independence looks forward to
commissioning. The decision to commission the ship in Mobile, Ala., where
construction began nearly four years ago, is testament to the incredible
support the community has lent the Navy.
"By commissioning in Mobile," says Renshaw, "we are also fortunate to have
many of the required resources in place to allow for detailed and efficient
planning for this exciting occasion."
"The city of Mobile has really made us feel welcome," adds Riley. "I want to
extend my gratitude for everything they have been doing and continue to do
for us."
Following commissioning, Independence will conduct further testing and
evaluation before eventually heading toward its homeport in San Diego. |
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Two New Navy Working
Uniforms Announced
Release
Date: 1/8/2010 4:42:00 PM
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- Two new Navy Working Uniforms (NWU) will hit the fleet in fiscal
year 2011.
The first, NWU Type II, a desert digital camouflage uniform of four colors
with the anchor, Constitution and eagle (ACE) logo embedded in the print,
will be worn by special warfare operators and Sailors who support them
during deployment and deployment training exercises.
"The desert camouflage uniform is not going away," said Capt. Vince
Drouillard, branch head within Navy's personnel, plans and policy division.
"Sailors, other than Navy special warfare operators and supporting Sailors,
will continue to wear the current tricolor desert camouflage utility uniform
in desert environments when issued by authorizing commands."
The second, NWU Type III, is a woodland digital camouflage uniform which
also has four colors and the ACE logo embedded in the print. It will be the
standard camouflage uniform worn in non-desert environments and stateside.
Both uniforms, announced in NAVADMIN 374/09, are organizational clothing
provided to Sailors by commands authorized to issue them.
The unisex uniforms will begin conformance testing to validate design, fit
and wear later in fiscal year 2010. Fleet implementation is expected to
begin in late 2011 with deploying combat and direct command support commands
and units receiving priority in the distribution process.
Both new uniforms have an authorized matching pattern Gortex parka with a
removable fleece liner. Sailors can get complete information on the new NWU
Type II and Type III uniforms in NAVADMIN 374/09 available at
www.npc.navy.mil.
For more information on Navy uniforms visit
http://www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/usnavyuniforms/. |
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American Hero
Awarded Purple Heart and POW Medals
Release
Date: 1/7/2010 9:25:00 PM
By Darren Harrison, Naval District Washington Public Affairs
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- A Navy veteran accepted his Prisoner of War and Purple Heart medals
at the Washington Navy Yard Jan. 4 - more than 40 years after his service in
Vietnam.
Lawrence J. Stark was one of only two Department of Defense civilian
employees who were captured and he spent five years as a prisoner.
"This gentleman lost half a decade of his life in captivity and served as
part of the Department of Defense when he was captured," said Assistant
Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Juan Garcia. "That kind
of sacrifice is rare. We haven't had anyone held for that long in [recent]
conflicts; it doesn't happen like that anymore. So it's an honor to be here
to meet and be part of a ceremony for a real American hero."
After fighting off attacks for two days, Stark was eventually captured on
Feb. 1, 1968 during the Tet Offensive. He was released five years later in
March 1973. Members of Stark's family, in attendance for the ceremony, said
that the family did not know Stark's fate until just before his release and
his father died without knowing that his son was a POW.
"He was taken captive and really the family did not know for sure if he was
alive, if he had survived the capture until shortly before his release in
1973," said brother-in-law Richard Flammini. "Unfortunately his father died
during his captivity but the family never gave up hope that he would come
back and fortunately he did and we are here today and really excited for the
opportunity to reward him for his service and his perseverance."
Stark was working for the Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. when he
was invited to go to Vietnam and work for a consortium of contractors (RMK-BRJ)
under contract to DoD.
Stark accepted the invitation and went to Vietnam in April 1966 and spent a
year with RMK-BRJ before returning to the United States. After a couple of
months, Stark returned to Vietnam and was hired as a U.S. Navy civil service
employee.
Stark was assigned to work in the city of Hue in December 1967 and was taken
prisoner two months later. At the time of the capture, the five military
personnel next door and the four men in his house, combined forces and
resisted capture. At the end of two days of fighting, with practically no
ammunition left with which to defend themselves, two men had been killed and
everyone else was wounded.
"How does a civilian become eligible for a Purple Heart? People ask me that
all of the time," Stark said. "I tell them that President Kennedy authorized
the Purple Heart for civilians in 1962 if certain conditions are met, one of
which is you had to be in combat. And we were in Hue, and we were in combat.
We defended the Navy building and in the process lost a couple of guys and
most of the guys were wounded. They put a mortar right on the roof and four
or five of us happened to be right there. One guy who was wounded died and
the others all received wounds."
Presenting the medals to Stark at the ceremony inside the U.S. Navy Museum
was Naval District Washington Commandant Rear Adm. Patrick J. Lorge who paid
tribute to Stark's heroism.
"As service men and women we are trained to react during a time of conflict
or crisis," Lorge said. "However to accomplish what Lawrence J. Stark did as
a civilian is nothing short of remarkable and deserves the highest possible
recognition. I'm proud to be in his presence and humbled to share this stage
with him and honored to present him with both the Purple Heart and Prisoner
of War medals."
After his release Stark worked in the human resources office on the
Washington Navy Yard for former director of Human Resources Dr. Vincent
Vaccaro.
"I am indeed honored and humbled that Larry has asked me to speak this
afternoon. First let me offer congratulations for a long overdue
recognition. I am extremely pleased today,' Vaccaro said. "One of our
colleagues is finally being recognized for his courage and achievements."
In addition to receiving the two medals, two members of the Rolling Thunder,
Vietnam veterans Artie Muller and Michael Cobb, presented Stark with a
Rolling Thunder leather jacket and declared him an honorary member.
"It's about time Larry was honored for his commitment to the freedom of our
country while he was in Vietnam. He was never recognized with the POW medal,
and he deserved it and has waited many, many years for that and also for the
Purple Heart," Muller said. |
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From Sculptor to Sailor
Release
Date: 1/7/2010 2:02:00 PM
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW) Paul DeLaughter,
Naval Recruiting District New England Public Affairs
BOSTON (NNS)
-- Just days before shipping off to boot camp, a Navy Delayed Entry Program
recruit lent his artistic talents to several ice sculptures in support of
Boston's annual First Night Celebration held Dec. 31.
Anthony Pacitto, a chef and part-time ice sculptor from Wakefield, Mass.,
holds a culinary arts degree and has worked as a chef since 2004.
Pacitto said that he decided to join the Navy to see the world.
"I wanted a change – a chance to do good in the world," said Pacitto. "At
26, I just wasn't happy with where I was in my life, and the Navy is
something I've always been interested in. I wanted to challenge myself."
His reasons for joining are becoming a popular sentiment among America's
youth. So much so that the Navy changed its advertising brand in October
2009 from the older "Accelerate your life" campaign to "Americas Navy … a
global force for good."
The first commercial advertisement under the new campaign, "The Calling,"
was launched Oct. 12 in connection with the Navy's 234th birthday. The
second commercial under the campaign, "The Shield," is scheduled to air in
February 2010. The new commercials and print products associated with the
new brand are available at
www.navy.com.
Commander, Navy Recruiting Command Rear Adm. Craig S. Faller recently said
in a statement that "The Calling" is more than a recruiting slogan.
"It's a message to our Sailors … and our citizens across this great country
what good we do around the world to help keep [Americans] safe at home,"
Faller said.
Faller said it is this "call to serve" that is drawing young people to naval
service.
Research gathered by Navy Recruiting Command and its civilian advertising
agency, Campbell-Ewald, found that people considering naval service are
primarily doing so because they want to do their part in making the world a
better place.
Navy Counselor (SCW) Greg Perpignan, who is the recruiter in charge at the
Waltham, Mass., Navy Recruiting Station, said Pacitto is exactly what the
Navy is looking for.
"He showed up knocking on the door," Perpignan said. "He wanted the Navy bad
and was going to do whatever it took to get it."
He said Pacitto initially wasn't qualified to join because his test scores
were too low and his weight was too high, but that wouldn't stop him.
"He showed up to meetings even before he was able to enlist," said
Perpignan. "He would come in and help around the office and he kept working
on his test scores and fitness until he got them both within standards. He
definitely has the work ethic to be successful in the Navy."
Eventually Pacitto was able to enroll in the Navy's delayed entry program,
and he will leave for basic training Jan. 20.
Donald Chapelle, owner of Brilliant Ice Sculptures located in Lawrence,
Mass., and Pacitto's boss for the past 6 years, said he is happy for his
former protégé but admits that his shoes will be hard to fill. He said the
Navy is gaining a valuable asset because not only is Pacitto talented but he
is hardworking as well.
"You know … you can have all the talent in the world and still be lazy,"
said Chapelle. "People who are ambitious, hardworking and willing to learn
are the people who become successful. I think he's a rock star."
After basic training, Pacitto will receive follow-on training to become a
boatswain's mate – a far departure from working in the kitchen – leaving the
question, why didn't the cook enlist as a cook?
"My plan right now is just to make it to day two of boot camp," Pacitto
said, "It's just like the movie 'Men of Honor.' If I don't get to the top,
then I don't consider it a success. I want to be a chief – I want to be a
master chief. The next time I work in a kitchen it will be at my own
restaurant." |
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CNO Lands on Carrier Operating in the North Arabian Sea
Release
Date: 1/6/2010 12:02:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Amara R.
Timberlake, USS Nimitz Public Affairs
USS NIMITZ,
At Sea (NNS) -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) arrived aboard USS
Nimitz (CVN 68), the aircraft carrier currently conducting operations in the
Northern Arabian Sea, Jan. 6.
Adm. Gary Roughead, CNO, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW)
Rick West are visiting the carrier to hear directly from the Sailors of the
deployed strike group.
During his visit Roughead will spend time talking to Sailors and observing
day-to-day operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). He
will also hold an all-hands call with Sailors in the ship's hangar bay.
"It's important for me to visit Nimitz and the fleet as often as I can to
get a sense of what we're doing and what's on the minds of our Sailors; what
they're thinking about and the ideas they have to make our Navy better."
said Roughead. "You can get a very narrow view of things in Washington; and
if you're not out listening to our great Sailors around the world,
especially here on Nimitz, you're not getting the full picture."
During his visit Roughead is scheduled to re-enlist Sailors as well as pin
on enlisted air and surface warfare devices on newly appointed warfare
specialists.
Since entering the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations Sep. 18., Nimitz has
flown more than 2,058 sorties in support of OEF, providing 30 percent of the
close air support to the coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Nimitz CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Miller, is comprised of USS
Nimitz, embarked Carrier Air Wing 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and
the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to DESRON 23
include the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS Rentz.
Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron
41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders"
of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black
Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet
Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne
Command and Control Squadron 117.
Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter
Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack"
of HSL 45, the "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea
Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge. |
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Revolutionary
Ship Readies for Commissioning
Release
Date: 1/6/2010 4:09:00 PM
By Lt.j.g. Jan Bowers, Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs
MOBILE,
Ala. (NNS) -- Pre-Commissioning Unit Independence (LCS 2) will be
commissioned Jan. 16.
Advanced technology, unique manning, and a very recognizable tri-hull – at
first glance, nearly everything about Independence's steep angles, high
bridge, and aluminum construction appears to be the first of its kind. That
impression continues inside, where a spacious mission module bay is reached
by stairs instead of shin-banging ladders, and down below, where four water
jets compliment two diesel and two gas turbine engines.
LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in
naval warfighting technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat
"anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including fast
surface craft, quiet diesel submarines, and mines. To meet the combatant
commander's increased demand for mission-tailored forces packages, LCS
features an interchangeable modular design that allows the ship to be
reconfigured to meet mission requirements.
"The ship is large enough and flexible enough to hold just about anything
you could think of in terms of coastal and littoral warfare," said Cmdr.
Michael Riley, commanding officer, Gold Crew. "If you build modules we could
carry them. That's one of the true unique things about Independence. I think
we are going to expand way beyond the initial three mission sets the ship
was designed to do, and of course do those extremely well."
The Sailors who will bring the ship to life on Jan. 16 are part of an
innovative manning reconstruct that reduces crew size, demanding each Sailor
maintain high levels of proficiency in multiple fields, and optimizes ship
operability with multiple crews. Independence is manned by two rotational
crews, "blue" and "gold," of 40 Sailors each. These crews are further
augmented by detachment specialists for each of the mission modules.
"We ask every one of our Sailors to be on their game all the time, and in
terms of manpower provide a great product," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw,
commanding officer, Blue Crew. "That team has come together, and with this
great product and this great ship, we will be ready to take her and do the
nation's tasking, hopefully sooner rather than later."
"Both LCS 1 and LCS 2 were designed to meet the same requirements with
reduced manning," said Rear Adm. Jim Murdoch, LCS program manager. "In the
last several years, we have conducted a great deal of assessment to be sure
we implement this shift without any loss of efficiency or increase in
vulnerability. Manning of the ship is centered around the question of
whether you have enough people to fight it."
"On other ships, Sailors from every department help in the kitchen, and the
cooks do just that – they cook," said Renshaw. "On LCS, we have three cooks
who can also shoot a gun, fight a fire, manage systems, and stand
anti-terrorism watches. Our Sailors have a lot of skills."
"My best machine-gunner is a culinary specialist; my best emergency medical
technician is an electronics technician," Riley said. "We've really brought
out the best in the Sailors we have on board."
The rotational crew model is already proving effective aboard USS Freedom (LCS
1), Independence's predecessor in the LCS class. Freedom is currently
readying for her maiden deployment, accelerated approximately two years. The
Navy expects to learn key operational lessons about Freedom in a deployment
setting, and to integrate those lessons into the larger LCS fleet, projected
to eventually reach 55 ships.
While Freedom prepares for early deployment, Independence looks forward to
commissioning. The decision to commission the ship in Mobile, Ala., where
construction began nearly four years ago, is testament to the incredible
support the community has lent the Navy.
"By commissioning in Mobile, we are also fortunate to have many of the
required resources in place to allow for detailed and efficient planning for
this exciting occasion," said Renshaw.
"The city of Mobile has really made us feel welcome," Riley said. "I want to
extend my gratitude for everything they have been doing and continue to do
for us."
Following commissioning, Independence will conduct further testing and
evaluation before eventually heading toward its homeport in San Diego.
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Navy Non-Kinetic Air
Power for OEF
Release
Date: 1/6/2010 12:14:00 PM
From USS Nimitz Public Affairs
USS NIMITZ,
At Sea (NNS) -- Carrier Air Wing 11 employs non-kinetic force to support
troops on the ground in Afghanistan, minimizing the potential for civilian
casualties. Non-kinetic force is intended not to cause any physical damage.
The EA-6B Prowlers assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 deploy
daily from the flight deck of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) jamming electronic
signals in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
"Our main focus of effort is to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum. That
means we preserve it for coalition forces, and we deny its use to Afghan
insurgents. If we can successfully do that, many times the ground commander
may not need a bomb," said Lt. Cmdr. Blake Tornga, maintenance officer from
VAQ-135.
The missions Prowlers fly directly support the July 2009 tactical directive
issued by Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of coalition forces in
Afghanistan.
"We must fight the insurgents, and will use the tools at our disposal to
both defeat the enemy and protect our forces," McChrystal outlined in the
directive. The directive clearly states limitations on the use of force that
could result in civilian casualties in Afghanistan.
"The enemy command and control network in Afghanistan is fairly dispersed
and flexible. We have to constantly adapt our tactics, based on new
technology in the hands of the enemy, to interdict parts of that network,"
Tornga said.
When the Prowlers were first received by the Navy in January of 1971 and
deployed to Vietnam in 1972, the primary mission was focused on jamming
enemy radar. They supported strike aircraft, ships and ground troops by
degrading the enemy's early warning capability and electronic weapons
systems.
The EA-6B of yesterday, outfitted with technology of today, has adapted its
platform to support Operation Enduring Freedom in a way no other airframe
can.
"There are very few electronic attack platforms out there," said Tornga. "We
are the only tactical electronic attack platform. Mountain valleys, small
turns, staying tight with a convoy, that mission right now can only be done
with the EA-6B."
Tornga explained that the intentions of McChrystal's directive are what
Prowlers have been doing for years. "There will certainly remain a need for
kinetics in support of the ground forces – but being able to turn a kinetic
situation into a non-kinetic one is pretty rewarding," said Tornga.
"Some of the real-time feedback we get from the ground troops after a
successful mission makes me realize why we need to be here, and it makes
this deployment very, very meaningful."
Since entering the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations Sep. 18., Nimitz has
flown more than 2,058 sorties in support of OEF, providing 30 percent of the
close air support to the coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Miller, is
comprised of Nimitz, embarked CVW 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and
the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to DESRON 23
include the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS Rentz.
Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron
41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders"
of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black
Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet
Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne
Command and Control Squadron 117.
Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter
Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack"
of HSL 45, the "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea
Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge. |
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Ike Strike Group Deploys
Release
Date: 1/2/2010 2:44:00 PM
From USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs
USS DWIGHT
D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE)
Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployed Jan. 2 for a six-month deployment in
support of 5th and 6th Fleet operations.
IKE CSG is made up of Commander, CSG 8; the aircraft carrier IKE, homeported
in Norfolk, Va.; Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW) 7; Commander, Destroyer
Squadron 28; the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), homeported in
Norfolk; and the Mayport, Fla.-based ships, guided-missile cruiser USS Hue
City (CG 66) and guided-missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG 64) and USS
Farragut (DDG 99).
IKE CSG missions focus heavily on maritime security operations and theater
security cooperation efforts that help establish conditions for regional
stability.
"I'm extremely proud of the men and women of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike
Group," said Rear Adm. Phil Davidson, commander of IKE CSG. "They've
exceeded all expectations in a very short amount of turnaround time. We are
ready to go over the horizon and support the troops on the ground in
Afghanistan, support the nation's Maritime Strategy, and protect our
nation's interests."
The deployment is part of an on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to
support maritime security operations in international waters around the
globe.
IKE CSG consists of approximately 6,000 Sailors who, over the last four
months, have successfully completed refresher training and certifications to
ensure they operate effectively and safely together.
"IKE returned from a successful combat deployment last summer. We spent most
of November (2009) at sea training during a challenging Composite Training
Unit Exercise, and we spent December (2009) making sure the ship, our
Sailors and our families are ready for this deployment. This is an amazing
ship, but what's even more amazing are the young Americans who bring it to
life," said Capt. Dee Mewbourne, IKE's commanding officer. |
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Nimitz Keeps Golden
Anchor for Fourth Year
Release
Date: 1/2/2010 10:21:00 AM
By USS Nimitz Public Affairs
USS NIMITZ,
At Sea (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, awarded USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
the Retention Excellence Award, also known as Golden Anchor, for the fourth
year in a row.
Deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Nimitz has ordered
several cans of gold paint to apply to her two 30-ton anchors, the privilege
afforded to award winners.
"Retention starts with dedicated leaders, mentorship and a proactive career
development team," said Navy Counselor Chief Michael Cheshier, Nimitz
command career counselor. "We have a good command atmosphere here, one that
Nimitz has maintained for many years".
Retention excellence award winners are required to win a minimum of two of
the four quarterly honor rolls in 2009.
Nimitz succeeded in winning the two quarterly honor roll awards by meeting
the requirements for each zone while keeping the attrition of early
separating Sailors below the 6.2 percent threshold, said Cheshier.
This is a team effort, said Cheshier, pointing out that winning would not
have been possible without the departmental and divisional career counselors
who worked closely with Sailors to help define their goals and best develop
their naval careers.
"The importance of this particular award is that it validates our shipwide
effort," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 1st Class (AW) Mark
Berglund, Nimitz' Air Department career counselor. "It is a measuring stick
for our career programs, and it shows that we must be doing something right
if our Sailors continue to stay Navy," he said.
Since entering the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations Sep. 18., Nimitz has
flown more than 1,800 combat sorties, providing 30 percent of the close air
support to the coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG), commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Miller, is
comprised of USS Nimitz, embarked CVW 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON)
23, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to DESRON
23 include the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS
Rentz.
Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron
41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders"
of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black
Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet
Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne
Command and Control Squadron 117.
Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter
Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack"
of HSL 45, the "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea
Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge. |
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Tips on how to protect your computer and
personal data
(From the
Defense Finance and Accounting Service regarding myPay but good
advice for all computer users.)
ARLINGTON, Va
(Feb. 12, 2007) As the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
continues to protect information and data on
myPay – we want to remind
customers that they too have a responsibility to take measures to protect
their personal information from scams and identity theft.
In the past
several months, two private U.S. industry firms disclosed that overseas
hackers broke into customer accounts. According to the chief information
officer (CIO) at one of these firms, these attacks were carried out by
“keylogging” software installed on users PC’s. This software allowed the
thieves to steal the users account information from their home computers, by
capturing the user's
keystrokes.
Key logging
software is often installed on systems when an individual simply views
emails or clicks links that look and seem like reputable sites. . They were
able to detect passwords, IDs and other personal information from a
diagnostic used in the software development which is also known as
“keystroke logging”.
myPay
uses a variety of security features to protect
data and in its transmission to users’ computers.
“The secure
technology provided to myPay
customers meets or exceeds security requirements in private
industry worldwide,” said Pat Shine, director DFAS Operations.
The features
include items such as 128 bit encryption, firewalls, Virtual Private
Networks (VPN) and other measures.
“It is also
important that customers do everything they can to protect data from being
compromised or captured on their computers, especially when using personal
computers at home,” explained Shine.
“Phishing”
attacks trick people into parting with personal information by luring them
to false corporate Web sites or by requesting personal information be sent
in a return e-mail. According to the Federal Trade Commission, “‘Phishers’
send e-mails or pop-up messages claiming to be from a business or
organization you would routinely deal with – an Internet service provider,
bank, online payment service or even a government agency. The message
usually says that you need to ‘update’ or ‘validate’ your account
information and might threaten dire consequences if you don’t respond. You
are directed to a Web site that mimics a legitimate organization’s site. The
purpose of the bogus site is to trick you into divulging personal
information so the scam operators can steal your identity and make purchases
or commit crimes in your name.”
Whether it be
phishing, identity theft, government e-mail scams, credit card offers or
electronic commerce fraud there are scammers on the Internet who are very
creative and constantly come up with new scams or variations on old scams.
The only way to fight this is with knowledge.
Here are several
things customers should consider to protect data not only when using
myPay
, but any electronic commerce activity (e.g. on-line banking,
credit card purchases, etc.):
1.
Install operating system and application software (e.g. Internet
Explorer) updates regularly. Many of these updates are issued to fix
security problems which have been identified.
2.
Install and use anti-virus software and personal firewalls. Keep
this software updated. The correct use of these programs can help protect
your system from being compromised by malicious software (e.g. software
which can capture information processed on your computer, etc). The DoD
Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) makes this type of software
available to most DoD employees (check with your agency).
3.
Do not store your various User-IDs and passwords in files on your
computer. If someone gains access to your computer this is the type of
information they look for and would aid them in accessing your account.
4.
After using your browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, etc) to access a
site where you process sensitive information (e.g.
myPay, your bank account, etc.) close all of your browser
windows and restart a new browser session. Sometimes the browser can hold
that information in memory (e.g. cache, etc) and some Web sites know where
to look to find it.
5.
Be very careful when installing software that gives others access to
your computer. Remote service software or peer-to-peer software used for
file sharing can create unintended openings into your computer that
outsiders can use if the software is not configured correctly.
6.
Don’t e-mail personal or financial information. E-mail is not a
secure method of transmitting personal information. If you initiate a
transaction and want to provide your personal and financial information
through a Web site, look for indicators that the site is secure, such as an
image of a lock or lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a Web site
address that begins “https:” ( the “s” stands for “secure”).
7.
DFAS does not send e-mail messages asking customers to update or
validate information. We do send e-mail messages that provide important
information about customer’s pay account, but we never ask for customers to
send passwords, login names, Social Security numbers, or other personal
information through e-mail.
“Maintaining the safety and security of
myPay is a top priority”, said Shine. “We proactively implement
new security features on a routine basis to protect our customers against
identity theft and scams.” |
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