American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - Due to advances in modern medicine, many wounded servicemembers are returning to the fight or transitioning their experience to civilian employment. Naval Sea Systems Command wants them on board. Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, NAVSEA commander, and Army Brig. Gen. Gary Cheek, commander of the Army's Warrior Transition Command, signed an agreement Jan. 13 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to increase opportunities for meaningful internships and employment with the Navy's largest system command.
"What we have done so far is put the fundamentals in place," Cheek told those assembled in Walter Reed Army Medical Center's auditorium here. "But our real goal is to provide that opportunity, that light, that inspiration for a full and productive future to the warfighters in this program. No matter what disease, illness or injury you are fighting, you have skills and abilities that make a difference in this world."
The general continued by focusing on the scope of opportunities the program's partnership with the Navy command offers wounded warriors. "Of all the organizations we are starting to embrace and work with, I believe NAVSEA is perhaps one of the finest in what they are offering to provide for the future for many of you," he said. "There are opportunities within this command across the United States, possibly even in your hometown, doing things you would like to do and making a contribution to the nation."
Following the general's remarks, McCoy thanked the injured for their service, and committed his organization to increasing opportunities for them. The command has about 60,000 employees, 95 percent of whom are civilians. "We provide ship, submarines, aircraft carriers, and weapons systems to our warfighters," he told the group. "We're responsible for all the maintenance on our surface ships, subs and aircraft carriers."
McCoy continued to promote the significance of the command's numerous and diverse career opportunities, including his own passion for work done at the Navy's shipyards.
"Half of NAVSEA carries a lunch bucket, wears a hard hat and steel-toe shoes to work each day. In my opinion, we have the best blue-collar jobs in America -- jobs you can raise a family on," he said. "The entry requirement to be an electrician, pipe-fitter, welder, technician, is a high-school [diploma] and lots of enthusiasm. We will give you everything else. We have stable careers working on some of our nation's most important military war platforms."
The agreement between the commands establishes their roles and responsibilities for the coordination of Operation Warfighter internships available to servicemembers receiving medical treatment for combat-related injuries, as well as staff jobs for warriors in transition, and combat-wounded veterans, and their spouses and caregivers, as eligible, for various federal direct-hiring authorities.
Juan Garcia, assistant secretary of Navy manpower and reserve affairs, also lauded NAVSEA's contributions toward warrior transition efforts, and reminded assembled troops that employers are eager to put their skills, knowledge and determination to use.
"This is not charity. This is not a 'set-aside' program," Garcia said. "Wounded warriors are, by definition, tenacious and resilient. They are leaders and doers. At a very young age, they have proven themselves capable of accomplishing what has been set before them.
"In the Department of the Navy, NAVSEA has set the pace and created the model for wounded warrior integrations," he continued. "They have made a commitment. They have put their money where their mouth is, and they have brought accountability to the process."
(From a Naval Sea Systems Command news release.)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Top Navy Doc Predicts Long USNS Comfort Deployment
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 16, 2010 - The chief of Navy medicine told the crew of the USNS Comfort here yesterday to prepare for a long deployment to Haiti. Navy 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."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 16, 2010 - The chief of Navy medicine told the crew of the USNS Comfort here yesterday to prepare for a long deployment to Haiti. Navy 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."
The Web for Leaders
An ignorance of the language and capabilities of Internet-based tools creates a situation where today’s leader cannot see how their organization’s website can be fully integrated into their current organizational practices or integrated into their vision of the future.
More Information
http://leadership-online.blogspot.com/2010/01/web-for-leaders.html
More Information
http://leadership-online.blogspot.com/2010/01/web-for-leaders.html
Pennsylvania Guard to Broadcast to Haitians
By Airman 1st Class Claire Behney
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - The Pennsylvania National Guard is sending a uniquely equipped plane to Haiti to provide radio and television broadcasts to keep the people of the earthquake-stricken nation informed as rescue and humanitarian missions continue. About 50 airmen and three C-130 aircraft assigned to the 193rd Special Operations Wing will provide rapid communications response capabilities to all of Hispaniola, which comprises Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Two of the aircraft are cargo aircraft. The third, named Commando Solo, is an airborne radio and television station that will provide important information to the Haitian people as U.S. and international search and rescue and humanitarian aid missions continue.
In what he described as an "unprecedented humanitarian mission," Gov. Edward G. Rendell said that the Pennsylvania Air National Guard had been called out to support the Air Force Special Operations Command mission in Haiti.
One of the aircraft departed late on Jan. 14, the other two aircraft left Middletown, Pa., today.
"Our National Guard is honored to extend a helping hand to the people of Haiti. I am proud of these dedicated airmen, who are always ready to answer the call of duty, whether it is for combat missions or to aid those in need," said Army Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, the adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
The 193rd was last called to serve in Haiti more than a decade ago. In 1994, Commando Solo was used to broadcast radio and television messages to the citizens and leaders of Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy. This is, however, the first humanitarian mission of its type for the wing.
(Airman 1st Class Claire Behney is assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard.)
Jan. 15, 2010 - The Pennsylvania National Guard is sending a uniquely equipped plane to Haiti to provide radio and television broadcasts to keep the people of the earthquake-stricken nation informed as rescue and humanitarian missions continue. About 50 airmen and three C-130 aircraft assigned to the 193rd Special Operations Wing will provide rapid communications response capabilities to all of Hispaniola, which comprises Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Two of the aircraft are cargo aircraft. The third, named Commando Solo, is an airborne radio and television station that will provide important information to the Haitian people as U.S. and international search and rescue and humanitarian aid missions continue.
In what he described as an "unprecedented humanitarian mission," Gov. Edward G. Rendell said that the Pennsylvania Air National Guard had been called out to support the Air Force Special Operations Command mission in Haiti.
One of the aircraft departed late on Jan. 14, the other two aircraft left Middletown, Pa., today.
"Our National Guard is honored to extend a helping hand to the people of Haiti. I am proud of these dedicated airmen, who are always ready to answer the call of duty, whether it is for combat missions or to aid those in need," said Army Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, the adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
The 193rd was last called to serve in Haiti more than a decade ago. In 1994, Commando Solo was used to broadcast radio and television messages to the citizens and leaders of Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy. This is, however, the first humanitarian mission of its type for the wing.
(Airman 1st Class Claire Behney is assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard.)
Southcom Officials Provide Haiti Update
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 16, 2010 - Officials at U.S. Southern Command headquarters here provided a recap last night of the previous 48 hours of developments in the Haiti relief effort.
Southcom is managing the U.S. military aspects of the earthquake-relief mission.
Officials noted that Joint Task Force Haiti had been established to oversee U.S. military relief efforts in Haiti, with Army Lt. Gen. P.K. "Ken" Keen in command.
As of last night, 4,200 U.S. military personnel were currently supporting task force operations, within Haiti and from Navy and Coast Guard vessels offshore. An additional 6,300 military personnel are scheduled to arrive through the weekend.
Current U.S. military efforts are focused on working with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, international relief organizations and local responders to provide search and rescue, distribute aid and assess damage to key infrastructure, officials said.
With approval from the Haitian government, U.S. Air Force air traffic control and airfield management personnel are managing air operations into the international airport at the national capital of Port-au-Prince. The airfield is open for 24-hour operations and has a 90-aircraft-per-day capability.
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Higgins are operating off the Haitian coast in support of the task force. USS Carl Vinson has 19 embarked helicopters flying airlift missions in support of relief efforts. The carrier also is delivering more than 30 pallets of relief supplies for distribution to affected areas.
Overall, 24 helicopters were providing relief to the people of Haiti as of last night, officials said.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the amphibious ship USS Bataan and composed of more than 2,200 Marines is scheduled to arrive in Haiti on Jan. 18 with heavy-lift and earth-moving equipment and additional medical-support capabilities. The amphibious ships USS Carter Hall, USS Fort McHenry, USS Underwood and USS Normandy also are en route to Haiti.
The hospital ship USNS Comfort left Baltimore this morning en route to Haiti, with about 600 medical personnel. It's projected to arrive in Haitian waters on Jan. 21. Comfort's capabilities include fully equipped operating rooms, a 500-bed hospital facility, digital radiological services, a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, an optometry lab, a CT-scan capability and two oxygen-producing plants. Each ship is equipped with a helicopter deck capable of landing large military helicopters.
An initial company of more than 100 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in Haiti on Jan. 14, and 600 additional paratroopers are scheduled to arrive over the next few days to augment U.N. security and assist with search-and-rescue missions.
Since 2005, U.S. Southern 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.
All military efforts are in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is orchestrating U.S. government contributions to the relief mission.
(From a U.S. Southern Command news release.)
Jan. 16, 2010 - Officials at U.S. Southern Command headquarters here provided a recap last night of the previous 48 hours of developments in the Haiti relief effort.
Southcom is managing the U.S. military aspects of the earthquake-relief mission.
Officials noted that Joint Task Force Haiti had been established to oversee U.S. military relief efforts in Haiti, with Army Lt. Gen. P.K. "Ken" Keen in command.
As of last night, 4,200 U.S. military personnel were currently supporting task force operations, within Haiti and from Navy and Coast Guard vessels offshore. An additional 6,300 military personnel are scheduled to arrive through the weekend.
Current U.S. military efforts are focused on working with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, international relief organizations and local responders to provide search and rescue, distribute aid and assess damage to key infrastructure, officials said.
With approval from the Haitian government, U.S. Air Force air traffic control and airfield management personnel are managing air operations into the international airport at the national capital of Port-au-Prince. The airfield is open for 24-hour operations and has a 90-aircraft-per-day capability.
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Higgins are operating off the Haitian coast in support of the task force. USS Carl Vinson has 19 embarked helicopters flying airlift missions in support of relief efforts. The carrier also is delivering more than 30 pallets of relief supplies for distribution to affected areas.
Overall, 24 helicopters were providing relief to the people of Haiti as of last night, officials said.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the amphibious ship USS Bataan and composed of more than 2,200 Marines is scheduled to arrive in Haiti on Jan. 18 with heavy-lift and earth-moving equipment and additional medical-support capabilities. The amphibious ships USS Carter Hall, USS Fort McHenry, USS Underwood and USS Normandy also are en route to Haiti.
The hospital ship USNS Comfort left Baltimore this morning en route to Haiti, with about 600 medical personnel. It's projected to arrive in Haitian waters on Jan. 21. Comfort's capabilities include fully equipped operating rooms, a 500-bed hospital facility, digital radiological services, a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, an optometry lab, a CT-scan capability and two oxygen-producing plants. Each ship is equipped with a helicopter deck capable of landing large military helicopters.
An initial company of more than 100 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in Haiti on Jan. 14, and 600 additional paratroopers are scheduled to arrive over the next few days to augment U.N. security and assist with search-and-rescue missions.
Since 2005, U.S. Southern 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.
All military efforts are in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is orchestrating U.S. government contributions to the relief mission.
(From a U.S. Southern Command news release.)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Obama Pledges Continued Commitment to Haiti
By Carol Bowers
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - President Barack Obama today pledged America's continued commitment to the government and people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and in recovery efforts. Speaking from the White House, the president singled out the men and women in uniform who "have moved so swiftly" to help Haitians and thanked troops and search and rescue teams.
"I want you to know that you demonstrate the courage and decency of the American people, and we are extraordinarily proud of you," Obama said.
With the arrival of the USS Carl Vinson in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, Obama said, a distribution plan for food, water and medical aid is being developed, and will be coordinated among the United States, the government of Haiti, the United Nations and other international partners and aid organizations.
The Carl Vinson's helicopters "will be critical in delivering assistance in the days to come," he said, noting that crews are going to distribute badly needed water, food and other life-saving supplies to priority areas in Port-au-Prince.
Setting up distribution points for food, water and medical supplies and aid so they can be disbursed in a safe, orderly and effective fashion will take time, Obama said. "But I want the people of Haiti to know that we will do what it takes to save lives and to help them get back on their feet," he added.
Obama said he had talked this morning with Haitian President Rene Preval and expressed his deepest condolences for the people of Haiti.
"Like so many Haitians, President Preval himself has lost his home, and his government is working under extraordinarily difficult conditions," Obama said. "Many communications are down ... and many people remain unaccounted for. The scale of devastation is extraordinary ... and the losses are heartbreaking."
Obama said that during the conversation, he "pledged America's continued commitment to the government and people of Haiti, in the immediate effort to save lives and deliver relief and in the long-term effort to rebuild."
At present, communications are down, the port is closed, roads are damaged and food and water scarce, Obama said. Rescue efforts continue, and Obama praised search and rescue teams from Florida, Virginia and California who have saved American and Haitian lives in recent days.
Meanwhile, resources are continuing to move to Haiti from the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, France, Colombia and the Dominican Republic and others, Obama said. The president is scheduled to meet tomorrow with former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to discuss ways to enlist the American people in recovery and rebuilding efforts going forward.
"The entire world stands with the government and people of Haiti. For in Haiti's devastation, we all see the common humanity that we share," Obama said.
However, America has a particular responsibility to render aid because the nation "has a unique capacity to reach out broadly and to deliver assistance that can save lives," Obama said.
"That responsibility obviously is magnified when the devastation that's been suffered is so near to us," he added.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - President Barack Obama today pledged America's continued commitment to the government and people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and in recovery efforts. Speaking from the White House, the president singled out the men and women in uniform who "have moved so swiftly" to help Haitians and thanked troops and search and rescue teams.
"I want you to know that you demonstrate the courage and decency of the American people, and we are extraordinarily proud of you," Obama said.
With the arrival of the USS Carl Vinson in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, Obama said, a distribution plan for food, water and medical aid is being developed, and will be coordinated among the United States, the government of Haiti, the United Nations and other international partners and aid organizations.
The Carl Vinson's helicopters "will be critical in delivering assistance in the days to come," he said, noting that crews are going to distribute badly needed water, food and other life-saving supplies to priority areas in Port-au-Prince.
Setting up distribution points for food, water and medical supplies and aid so they can be disbursed in a safe, orderly and effective fashion will take time, Obama said. "But I want the people of Haiti to know that we will do what it takes to save lives and to help them get back on their feet," he added.
Obama said he had talked this morning with Haitian President Rene Preval and expressed his deepest condolences for the people of Haiti.
"Like so many Haitians, President Preval himself has lost his home, and his government is working under extraordinarily difficult conditions," Obama said. "Many communications are down ... and many people remain unaccounted for. The scale of devastation is extraordinary ... and the losses are heartbreaking."
Obama said that during the conversation, he "pledged America's continued commitment to the government and people of Haiti, in the immediate effort to save lives and deliver relief and in the long-term effort to rebuild."
At present, communications are down, the port is closed, roads are damaged and food and water scarce, Obama said. Rescue efforts continue, and Obama praised search and rescue teams from Florida, Virginia and California who have saved American and Haitian lives in recent days.
Meanwhile, resources are continuing to move to Haiti from the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, France, Colombia and the Dominican Republic and others, Obama said. The president is scheduled to meet tomorrow with former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to discuss ways to enlist the American people in recovery and rebuilding efforts going forward.
"The entire world stands with the government and people of Haiti. For in Haiti's devastation, we all see the common humanity that we share," Obama said.
However, America has a particular responsibility to render aid because the nation "has a unique capacity to reach out broadly and to deliver assistance that can save lives," Obama said.
"That responsibility obviously is magnified when the devastation that's been suffered is so near to us," he added.
Officials Urge Guard, Reserve to Nominate Employers
By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - Guard and Reserve members are encouraged to acknowledge their civilian employers' exceptional support by nominating them for a top Defense Department award. Servicemembers and their families have until Jan. 18 to submit their employer for a Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. They can nominate their employers online at http://www.freedomaward.mil/.
This award is the government's highest recognition of outstanding employers of the National Guard and Reserve. This year's top 15 employers will be announced in the spring and honored in Washington, D.C., in the fall.
The award is a "great opportunity for the secretary of defense to, No. 1, put his stamp of approval on the conduct of these great employees, and No. 2, say thank you for what they're doing because it's a direct contribution to national defense," Dennis M. McCarthy, the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, said yesterday in an interview with the Pentagon Channel.
"Employers who have supported us since 9/11 have almost exclusively, almost entirely, been wonderful, been solidly supportive," he added.
Past recipients of the award – which have ranged from small businesses such as AeroDyn Wind Tunnel to large companies like Microsoft -- have provided significant support to their military employees, including full salary, continuation of benefits, care packages and family assistance, according to an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve news release. This Defense Department agency manages the award program as part of its mission to recognize exceptional support of military employees.
"We ask employers in this country to make significant sacrifices," McCarthy said, noting they do so without any direct compensation for their support. While employers gain valuable employees in their servicemembers, recognition programs offer a way "to formally say thank you," he added.
The program has received 2,000 nominations since Nov. 2, McCarthy said, but there's always room for one more.
"The only way to get an award is for a member of the National Guard or Reserve, or their families, to nominate an employer; that starts the process," he said. "We really encourage people to do that."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - Guard and Reserve members are encouraged to acknowledge their civilian employers' exceptional support by nominating them for a top Defense Department award. Servicemembers and their families have until Jan. 18 to submit their employer for a Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. They can nominate their employers online at http://www.freedomaward.mil/.
This award is the government's highest recognition of outstanding employers of the National Guard and Reserve. This year's top 15 employers will be announced in the spring and honored in Washington, D.C., in the fall.
The award is a "great opportunity for the secretary of defense to, No. 1, put his stamp of approval on the conduct of these great employees, and No. 2, say thank you for what they're doing because it's a direct contribution to national defense," Dennis M. McCarthy, the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, said yesterday in an interview with the Pentagon Channel.
"Employers who have supported us since 9/11 have almost exclusively, almost entirely, been wonderful, been solidly supportive," he added.
Past recipients of the award – which have ranged from small businesses such as AeroDyn Wind Tunnel to large companies like Microsoft -- have provided significant support to their military employees, including full salary, continuation of benefits, care packages and family assistance, according to an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve news release. This Defense Department agency manages the award program as part of its mission to recognize exceptional support of military employees.
"We ask employers in this country to make significant sacrifices," McCarthy said, noting they do so without any direct compensation for their support. While employers gain valuable employees in their servicemembers, recognition programs offer a way "to formally say thank you," he added.
The program has received 2,000 nominations since Nov. 2, McCarthy said, but there's always room for one more.
"The only way to get an award is for a member of the National Guard or Reserve, or their families, to nominate an employer; that starts the process," he said. "We really encourage people to do that."
Air Force Evaluates Damaged Haitian Airports
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - The Air Force is working with U.S. Southern Command and the Haitian government to determine what's needed to bring damaged airports up to par to accept more humanitarian relief supplies, officials said today. A massive U.S.-international relief effort is under way to help Haitians stricken by a Jan. 12 earthquake that damaged much of the country's capital of Port-au-Prince.
Ongoing evaluations to determine how to increase traffic at the main airport at Port-au-Prince should be completed sometime today, Air Force Col. Steve Shea, director of the combat support center within the Air Force Office of Logistics Readiness, said during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable.
"The Air Force is part of the joint and international support [effort] to help stop the suffering of the Haitians and to try to restore the infrastructure so they can essentially return to normalcy," Shea said.
The major supply route into Haiti right now is at the Port-au-Prince airport, the country's largest, Shea said, and the Air Force already has deployed airport security personnel, air traffic controllers and ground operations technicians to Port-au-Prince. The use of aluminum ground matting, he said, is an option being considered to increase ramp and runway capacity at Port-au-Prince and other Haitian airports.
Additionally, Shea said, a U.S. joint assessment team is evaluating ways to increase the Haitian capital's seaport capacity, which also was damaged by the earthquake.
"Clearly the ability to use a seaport enables both the international community and the Department of Defense to move [a] large tonnage of supplies that will be needed there at a capacity that exceeds what we could do by air lift," he explained.
The Air Force has a team of logistics and transportation experts focused on the Haiti relief mission, said Air Force Col. Sid Banks, chief of logistics plans within the Office of Logistics Readiness. The Air Force, Banks said, can deploy specially trained teams that have the ability to restore operations at the earthquake damaged Port-au-Prince airport.
"We can resume operations on that specific field that may have been crippled as a result of this catastrophe," Banks said. The Air Force, he added, also can supply water-purification units.
From a logistics standpoint, the Air Force's contributions to the Haitian humanitarian relief effort "are huge," Banks said. And it's imperative, he emphasized, that the relief effort for Haiti is a thought-out and organized endeavor.
"From a logistics-plan standpoint," Banks said, "we try to understand our roles and responsibilities, so we can be efficient and effective in getting the right stuff to the right place at the right time."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - The Air Force is working with U.S. Southern Command and the Haitian government to determine what's needed to bring damaged airports up to par to accept more humanitarian relief supplies, officials said today. A massive U.S.-international relief effort is under way to help Haitians stricken by a Jan. 12 earthquake that damaged much of the country's capital of Port-au-Prince.
Ongoing evaluations to determine how to increase traffic at the main airport at Port-au-Prince should be completed sometime today, Air Force Col. Steve Shea, director of the combat support center within the Air Force Office of Logistics Readiness, said during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable.
"The Air Force is part of the joint and international support [effort] to help stop the suffering of the Haitians and to try to restore the infrastructure so they can essentially return to normalcy," Shea said.
The major supply route into Haiti right now is at the Port-au-Prince airport, the country's largest, Shea said, and the Air Force already has deployed airport security personnel, air traffic controllers and ground operations technicians to Port-au-Prince. The use of aluminum ground matting, he said, is an option being considered to increase ramp and runway capacity at Port-au-Prince and other Haitian airports.
Additionally, Shea said, a U.S. joint assessment team is evaluating ways to increase the Haitian capital's seaport capacity, which also was damaged by the earthquake.
"Clearly the ability to use a seaport enables both the international community and the Department of Defense to move [a] large tonnage of supplies that will be needed there at a capacity that exceeds what we could do by air lift," he explained.
The Air Force has a team of logistics and transportation experts focused on the Haiti relief mission, said Air Force Col. Sid Banks, chief of logistics plans within the Office of Logistics Readiness. The Air Force, Banks said, can deploy specially trained teams that have the ability to restore operations at the earthquake damaged Port-au-Prince airport.
"We can resume operations on that specific field that may have been crippled as a result of this catastrophe," Banks said. The Air Force, he added, also can supply water-purification units.
From a logistics standpoint, the Air Force's contributions to the Haitian humanitarian relief effort "are huge," Banks said. And it's imperative, he emphasized, that the relief effort for Haiti is a thought-out and organized endeavor.
"From a logistics-plan standpoint," Banks said, "we try to understand our roles and responsibilities, so we can be efficient and effective in getting the right stuff to the right place at the right time."
Ancient Greek Tales of War Evoke Modern Catharses
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - After 2,500 years of retirement, a former general has been hired as a military consultant to help troops cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. Sophocles, an ancient Greek general and 5th century B.C. dramatist who penned tales of war and the lives of those affected by it, now speaks from the grave, as a modern interpretation of his works is read at military facilities and hospitals before audiences with ties to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Theater of War," a brainchild of director Bryan Doerries that intends to bridge the past and present, represents what military officials describe as one of the more innovative public health efforts to amplify the dialogue about a psychological injury borne by an estimated 20 percent of troops returning from combat.
"I think the military naturally distrust film quite a bit, but I think theater is pure," Doerries, the son of two psychologist parents, said this week in an interview at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here during a performance's intermission. "I think there's something about the felt emotion in the presence of others that changes your relationship to material like this, so that all of a sudden you're not coming at it from your head. You're coming at it from your heart."
The two-part performance staged within an auditorium on the hospital grounds was minimalist fare: it featured only a long table with four microphones and chairs for the performers. Enter stage right, three graduates of the venerable Julliard School, and prominent actor Isiah Whitlock Jr., who is best known for his performance as Sen. Clay Davis on HBO's gritty urban drama "The Wire."
But the matinee of excerpts from Sophocles' "Ajax" and "Philoctetes" was less about the performance itself and more about its effect on audience members able to connect the ancient text to their own lives.
"You, and your various perspectives within this community, are ultimately the translators of this material," Doerries, whose theater production has teamed with the Defense Department to conduct 100 performances over the next year, told the audience. "The performance really begins with what we do onstage, but it ends when the last person in the audience has finished commenting."
Facing the sparse stage was an audience composed of wounded troops, retired servicemembers, families, hospital caregivers and other curious parties interested in the oblique approach to an issue that has been characterized as a "signature wound" of the current U.S. wars.
As the actors portrayed scenes of rage, shame, guilt, isolation and suicide – all inspired or catalyzed by war experience – some in the audience were seen sitting on the edge of their seats, others wiping tears from behind the lenses of their glasses.
One of the more evocative moments came after the dialogue was performed, when a group of panelists – referred to as "the chorus" – occupied the front of the room and drew parallels between then and now, illuminating some of the universal and timeless themes attendant to human conflict documented since the Trojan War.
Among the panelists was self-titled "Army Wife" Sherri Hall, who recalled remaining in "deployment mode" during the brief seven-month period in 2004 between her husband's two tours in Iraq. When her husband, Army Maj. Jeff Hall, returned from Iraq after his second deployment, she said, he possessed what Sophocles described as "the thousand-yard stare."
"I knew he was different when I saw him in the airport hangar," she said.
For years after returning, Hall declined to face the demons he collected during his lengthy deployments. He focused his rage on subordinate soldiers under his command. His family relationships chilled. He loathed himself. Finally, in April 2008, he "hit a wall," and decided to take his own life.
Paraphrasing a line from one of the plays that particularly resonated with him, Hall said, "I decided that if I couldn't live honorably, I would die an honorable death."
When his wife discovered him at 3 a.m., Hall was passed out on the lawn surrounded by empty bottles of wine. He had held a loaded weapon to his head, but had decided against suicide at the last moment.
"It wasn't until I was actually in the backyard about to pull the trigger when I realized that my daughters might see me the way that I had seen people overseas," he recalled. "And I did not want to leave them with that."
With the main dramatis personae and chorus having concluded their roles, an empty microphone stand was placed near the audience. A young woman in civilian clothes approached it.
For the next few minutes, a soldier who declined to be identified, told of her job as a combat nurse at a military hospital in Iraq, the horror she witnessed and the images she can't forget.
"All I saw was death," she said. Identifying with the shame Ajax felt at his inability to cope with his feelings of anguish, the nurse felt isolated from her friends and family. She felt pushed away by an indifferent military system. But gradually, she sought help for her invisible wounds and found solace in connecting with other troops in her recovery program.
"I was the only female amongst all the guys," she said. "And when they cried before me, that made me say to myself, 'We're all one.' We all think the same way, we all have the same problems and the same issues, we all hurt the same way, we all bleed the same way. There's no gender, there's no different military job. There's just a soldier."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - After 2,500 years of retirement, a former general has been hired as a military consultant to help troops cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. Sophocles, an ancient Greek general and 5th century B.C. dramatist who penned tales of war and the lives of those affected by it, now speaks from the grave, as a modern interpretation of his works is read at military facilities and hospitals before audiences with ties to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Theater of War," a brainchild of director Bryan Doerries that intends to bridge the past and present, represents what military officials describe as one of the more innovative public health efforts to amplify the dialogue about a psychological injury borne by an estimated 20 percent of troops returning from combat.
"I think the military naturally distrust film quite a bit, but I think theater is pure," Doerries, the son of two psychologist parents, said this week in an interview at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here during a performance's intermission. "I think there's something about the felt emotion in the presence of others that changes your relationship to material like this, so that all of a sudden you're not coming at it from your head. You're coming at it from your heart."
The two-part performance staged within an auditorium on the hospital grounds was minimalist fare: it featured only a long table with four microphones and chairs for the performers. Enter stage right, three graduates of the venerable Julliard School, and prominent actor Isiah Whitlock Jr., who is best known for his performance as Sen. Clay Davis on HBO's gritty urban drama "The Wire."
But the matinee of excerpts from Sophocles' "Ajax" and "Philoctetes" was less about the performance itself and more about its effect on audience members able to connect the ancient text to their own lives.
"You, and your various perspectives within this community, are ultimately the translators of this material," Doerries, whose theater production has teamed with the Defense Department to conduct 100 performances over the next year, told the audience. "The performance really begins with what we do onstage, but it ends when the last person in the audience has finished commenting."
Facing the sparse stage was an audience composed of wounded troops, retired servicemembers, families, hospital caregivers and other curious parties interested in the oblique approach to an issue that has been characterized as a "signature wound" of the current U.S. wars.
As the actors portrayed scenes of rage, shame, guilt, isolation and suicide – all inspired or catalyzed by war experience – some in the audience were seen sitting on the edge of their seats, others wiping tears from behind the lenses of their glasses.
One of the more evocative moments came after the dialogue was performed, when a group of panelists – referred to as "the chorus" – occupied the front of the room and drew parallels between then and now, illuminating some of the universal and timeless themes attendant to human conflict documented since the Trojan War.
Among the panelists was self-titled "Army Wife" Sherri Hall, who recalled remaining in "deployment mode" during the brief seven-month period in 2004 between her husband's two tours in Iraq. When her husband, Army Maj. Jeff Hall, returned from Iraq after his second deployment, she said, he possessed what Sophocles described as "the thousand-yard stare."
"I knew he was different when I saw him in the airport hangar," she said.
For years after returning, Hall declined to face the demons he collected during his lengthy deployments. He focused his rage on subordinate soldiers under his command. His family relationships chilled. He loathed himself. Finally, in April 2008, he "hit a wall," and decided to take his own life.
Paraphrasing a line from one of the plays that particularly resonated with him, Hall said, "I decided that if I couldn't live honorably, I would die an honorable death."
When his wife discovered him at 3 a.m., Hall was passed out on the lawn surrounded by empty bottles of wine. He had held a loaded weapon to his head, but had decided against suicide at the last moment.
"It wasn't until I was actually in the backyard about to pull the trigger when I realized that my daughters might see me the way that I had seen people overseas," he recalled. "And I did not want to leave them with that."
With the main dramatis personae and chorus having concluded their roles, an empty microphone stand was placed near the audience. A young woman in civilian clothes approached it.
For the next few minutes, a soldier who declined to be identified, told of her job as a combat nurse at a military hospital in Iraq, the horror she witnessed and the images she can't forget.
"All I saw was death," she said. Identifying with the shame Ajax felt at his inability to cope with his feelings of anguish, the nurse felt isolated from her friends and family. She felt pushed away by an indifferent military system. But gradually, she sought help for her invisible wounds and found solace in connecting with other troops in her recovery program.
"I was the only female amongst all the guys," she said. "And when they cried before me, that made me say to myself, 'We're all one.' We all think the same way, we all have the same problems and the same issues, we all hurt the same way, we all bleed the same way. There's no gender, there's no different military job. There's just a soldier."
Haiti Relief Effort Spans Agencies
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - The Defense Department, other U.S. agencies, and international partners are teaming up today in a major humanitarian relief operation for the people of Haiti, officials said here today. Food, water, shelter and medical support already are pouring into Haiti, Philip J. Crowley, assistant secretary of state for public affairs, told reporters today at a State Department news conference. Haiti was stricken by a Jan. 12 earthquake that damaged much of Port-au-Prince, the country's capital.
"But even as we are focused on this disaster response," Crowley said, "we are also focused on the longer term: how to sustain this relief operation over weeks and months and how ultimately the United States, working with the international community, will help Haiti rebuild."
The United States today is mounting "a major relief operation" in Haiti, Rajiv Shah, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, told reporters. USAID is a State Department-affiliated agency that extends help to nations recovering from disasters.
The Haiti humanitarian aid operation, Shah said, is being conducted in close coordination among USAID, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, other U.S.-government organizations including the Defense Department, and civilian agencies.
Today's arrival of the Navy's aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson off the coast of Haiti, Shah said, will "dramatically improve our capabilities to provide critically needed commodities and service support" to nongovernmental organizations and other partners providing aid to the Haitian people.
As stricken Haitians receive basic needs such as food, water, shelter and medical support, Shah said, urban search-and-rescue teams are busy combing Port-au-Prince to rescue people who may be trapped in the rubble.
The humanitarian relief effort also will lay the groundwork for a sustainable redevelopment of Haiti and of Port-au-Prince, with significant financial flows and significant partnerships to improve the development and health outcomes for the Haitian population, Shah said.
Meanwhile, he said, the United States is brainstorming with its partners in Haiti to arrive at ways to expand the reach of humanitarian aid to the affected population.
The Carl Vinson, Shah said, is preparing to deliver 600,000 daily rations to stricken Haitians, and $48 million worth of additional food assistance has been mobilized. The World Food Program and other sources, Shah said, are being mobilized to provide more food.
Also, 100,000 10-liter containers of drinking water have been allocated for Haiti's people, Shah said, with 20,000 of them slated to arrive in Haiti today. Water-purification units also are en route to Haiti, Shah said.
The United States and other countries and agencies involved in the Haitian humanitarian relief effort are confident they'll be able "to send significant commodities, significant materials and significant supplies" to Haiti, Shah said, and are working together to identify the best ways to make sure aid supplies are distributed to Haitians in need.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - The Defense Department, other U.S. agencies, and international partners are teaming up today in a major humanitarian relief operation for the people of Haiti, officials said here today. Food, water, shelter and medical support already are pouring into Haiti, Philip J. Crowley, assistant secretary of state for public affairs, told reporters today at a State Department news conference. Haiti was stricken by a Jan. 12 earthquake that damaged much of Port-au-Prince, the country's capital.
"But even as we are focused on this disaster response," Crowley said, "we are also focused on the longer term: how to sustain this relief operation over weeks and months and how ultimately the United States, working with the international community, will help Haiti rebuild."
The United States today is mounting "a major relief operation" in Haiti, Rajiv Shah, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, told reporters. USAID is a State Department-affiliated agency that extends help to nations recovering from disasters.
The Haiti humanitarian aid operation, Shah said, is being conducted in close coordination among USAID, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, other U.S.-government organizations including the Defense Department, and civilian agencies.
Today's arrival of the Navy's aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson off the coast of Haiti, Shah said, will "dramatically improve our capabilities to provide critically needed commodities and service support" to nongovernmental organizations and other partners providing aid to the Haitian people.
As stricken Haitians receive basic needs such as food, water, shelter and medical support, Shah said, urban search-and-rescue teams are busy combing Port-au-Prince to rescue people who may be trapped in the rubble.
The humanitarian relief effort also will lay the groundwork for a sustainable redevelopment of Haiti and of Port-au-Prince, with significant financial flows and significant partnerships to improve the development and health outcomes for the Haitian population, Shah said.
Meanwhile, he said, the United States is brainstorming with its partners in Haiti to arrive at ways to expand the reach of humanitarian aid to the affected population.
The Carl Vinson, Shah said, is preparing to deliver 600,000 daily rations to stricken Haitians, and $48 million worth of additional food assistance has been mobilized. The World Food Program and other sources, Shah said, are being mobilized to provide more food.
Also, 100,000 10-liter containers of drinking water have been allocated for Haiti's people, Shah said, with 20,000 of them slated to arrive in Haiti today. Water-purification units also are en route to Haiti, Shah said.
The United States and other countries and agencies involved in the Haitian humanitarian relief effort are confident they'll be able "to send significant commodities, significant materials and significant supplies" to Haiti, Shah said, and are working together to identify the best ways to make sure aid supplies are distributed to Haitians in need.
Releases December Suicide Data
The Army released suicide data today for the month of December. Among active-duty soldiers, there were ten potential suicides: one has been confirmed as suicide, and nine remain under investigation. For November, the Army reported 11 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, three have been confirmed as suicides, and eight remain under investigation. There were 160 reported active-duty Army suicides during 2009. Of these, 114 have been confirmed, and 46 are pending determination of manner of death. During 2008, there were 140 suicides among active-duty soldiers.
During December 2009, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were six potential suicides. For the year 2009, among that same group, there were 78 total suicides. Of those, 49 were confirmed as suicides and 29 are pending determination of the manner of death. For 2008, there were 57 suicides among reserve soldiers who were not on active duty.
"There's no question that 2009 was a painful year for the Army when it came to suicides. We took wide-ranging measures last year to confront the problem, from the service-wide stand-down and chain-teach program, to enhanced suicide prevention programs and guidance for our Army units, and the suicide prevention research through our partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health," said Col. Christopher Philbrick, deputy director, Army Suicide Prevention Task Force.
SIn 2010, the Army will continue to update and conduct suicide prevention training and improve procedures to ensure soldiers and families receive the support they need when undergoing key transitions, such as moving to another duty station or separating from the Army.
As part of the ongoing Army Campaign Plan for Health Promotion, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention, the Army Suicide Prevention Task Force will complete a thorough analysis and assessment of each of the Army's current suicide prevention programs to determine which are most effectively meeting the needs of the Army community.
"Our assessment will give us the data we need to make decisions about how our programs should be expanded or adjusted, while at the same time maintaining our focus on saving soldiers' lives," Philbrick added.
The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/default.asp .
Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf .
Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact Military OneSource or the Defense Center of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center. Trained consultants are available from both organizations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The Military OneSource toll-free number for those residing in the continental U.S. is 1-800-342-9647. Their website address is http://www.militaryonesource.com. Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location.
The DCoE Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil .
Information about the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf/.
During December 2009, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were six potential suicides. For the year 2009, among that same group, there were 78 total suicides. Of those, 49 were confirmed as suicides and 29 are pending determination of the manner of death. For 2008, there were 57 suicides among reserve soldiers who were not on active duty.
"There's no question that 2009 was a painful year for the Army when it came to suicides. We took wide-ranging measures last year to confront the problem, from the service-wide stand-down and chain-teach program, to enhanced suicide prevention programs and guidance for our Army units, and the suicide prevention research through our partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health," said Col. Christopher Philbrick, deputy director, Army Suicide Prevention Task Force.
SIn 2010, the Army will continue to update and conduct suicide prevention training and improve procedures to ensure soldiers and families receive the support they need when undergoing key transitions, such as moving to another duty station or separating from the Army.
As part of the ongoing Army Campaign Plan for Health Promotion, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention, the Army Suicide Prevention Task Force will complete a thorough analysis and assessment of each of the Army's current suicide prevention programs to determine which are most effectively meeting the needs of the Army community.
"Our assessment will give us the data we need to make decisions about how our programs should be expanded or adjusted, while at the same time maintaining our focus on saving soldiers' lives," Philbrick added.
The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/default.asp .
Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf .
Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact Military OneSource or the Defense Center of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center. Trained consultants are available from both organizations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The Military OneSource toll-free number for those residing in the continental U.S. is 1-800-342-9647. Their website address is http://www.militaryonesource.com. Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location.
The DCoE Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil .
Information about the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf/.
Military Makes Initial Assessments in Haiti, Mullen Says
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - As U.S. military forces work to provide initial relief to Haiti in the wake of a massive Jan. 12 earthquake there, it's difficult to say how long that support will last, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today. U.S. troops are in the first 24 hours of operations there now and are just beginning to assess the overall situation, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said in a Pentagon Channel interview.
Today, those military members are assessing the extent of the damage, the supplies and services needed and where the immediate efforts should focus, Mullen said.
"As we get through that initial stage -- and it's difficult to know how long that'll take, but lets say for the next few days -- I think in that time frame we'll assess what the longer-term impact will be and what additional support needs to be there and sustained over time," he said.
Immediate efforts so far are focusing on search and rescue and saving lives. Providing basic needs, such as food, water, medical care and security are priorities as well, the admiral added.
"The damage is extensive," he said. "Certainly, the early estimates of the lives lost are in the tens of thousands. So at this point, it clearly looks like it will be extensive support from a lot of countries, not the least of which is ours, for a significant length of time."
But what's certain, the chairman said, is that America's armed forces bring much experience and expertise to the table. He noted U.S. military humanitarian efforts in the wake of a Pakistan earthquake in 2008 and in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The U.S. military brings organizational structure, sustainment capabilities and a variety of other assets in terms of security, transportation, coordination and communication. The military also has extensive experience working in partnership with relief agencies and organizations, he added.
"Tragically, we've had considerable amounts of experience responding to natural disasters," he said. "So we have an experience base in our military that's put us in pretty good shape to respond. Most of all, what we bring is a significant part of the relief effort [to] try to make it as good as we possibly can for those who've suffered so much as rapidly as we can."
Despite the Defense Department's experiences, challenges still remain, he said.
Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, maintains the island nation's main sea and air ports. Mullen called the main port there "dysfunctional, and mostly destroyed." Making them manageable again is another main priority to transport supplies in and out of the country.
Commanders on the ground are exploring other ports on the island in the meantime, Mullen said. They're also working closely with the United Nations, which has led a successful security force there over the past several years, he added.
More than 1,000 servicemembers from all of the services and Coast Guard have been tapped so far to support the relief efforts. Ground forces such as Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune, N.C., and paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team from Fort Bragg, N.C., are part of that effort.
Many of those units ordered to Haiti are part of the regular rotation of forces into Iraq and Afghanistan. The 22nd MEU returned only last month from a seven-month tour sailing the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command operational areas.
Mullen stressed that he doesn't believe the U.S. commitment in other parts of the world will be greatly affected by continued support in Haiti, as some might suggest.
"We clearly are involved in two conflicts overseas, and our force is under a lot of pressure," the admiral said. "Clearly, we've seen our Coast Guard, our Navy, as well as our Air Force respond rapidly, and we can sustain that kind of effort for a significant period of time.
"I'm confident, [the Haiti mission] will have an impact" he continued, "but I don't think it will be that severe, even given the other commitments that we have. "And after all, this is our own back yard. They're very close neighbors, and we have a long, committed relationship to this country, and I think it's one that we'll continue to focus on in terms of relief."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - As U.S. military forces work to provide initial relief to Haiti in the wake of a massive Jan. 12 earthquake there, it's difficult to say how long that support will last, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today. U.S. troops are in the first 24 hours of operations there now and are just beginning to assess the overall situation, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said in a Pentagon Channel interview.
Today, those military members are assessing the extent of the damage, the supplies and services needed and where the immediate efforts should focus, Mullen said.
"As we get through that initial stage -- and it's difficult to know how long that'll take, but lets say for the next few days -- I think in that time frame we'll assess what the longer-term impact will be and what additional support needs to be there and sustained over time," he said.
Immediate efforts so far are focusing on search and rescue and saving lives. Providing basic needs, such as food, water, medical care and security are priorities as well, the admiral added.
"The damage is extensive," he said. "Certainly, the early estimates of the lives lost are in the tens of thousands. So at this point, it clearly looks like it will be extensive support from a lot of countries, not the least of which is ours, for a significant length of time."
But what's certain, the chairman said, is that America's armed forces bring much experience and expertise to the table. He noted U.S. military humanitarian efforts in the wake of a Pakistan earthquake in 2008 and in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The U.S. military brings organizational structure, sustainment capabilities and a variety of other assets in terms of security, transportation, coordination and communication. The military also has extensive experience working in partnership with relief agencies and organizations, he added.
"Tragically, we've had considerable amounts of experience responding to natural disasters," he said. "So we have an experience base in our military that's put us in pretty good shape to respond. Most of all, what we bring is a significant part of the relief effort [to] try to make it as good as we possibly can for those who've suffered so much as rapidly as we can."
Despite the Defense Department's experiences, challenges still remain, he said.
Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, maintains the island nation's main sea and air ports. Mullen called the main port there "dysfunctional, and mostly destroyed." Making them manageable again is another main priority to transport supplies in and out of the country.
Commanders on the ground are exploring other ports on the island in the meantime, Mullen said. They're also working closely with the United Nations, which has led a successful security force there over the past several years, he added.
More than 1,000 servicemembers from all of the services and Coast Guard have been tapped so far to support the relief efforts. Ground forces such as Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune, N.C., and paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team from Fort Bragg, N.C., are part of that effort.
Many of those units ordered to Haiti are part of the regular rotation of forces into Iraq and Afghanistan. The 22nd MEU returned only last month from a seven-month tour sailing the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command operational areas.
Mullen stressed that he doesn't believe the U.S. commitment in other parts of the world will be greatly affected by continued support in Haiti, as some might suggest.
"We clearly are involved in two conflicts overseas, and our force is under a lot of pressure," the admiral said. "Clearly, we've seen our Coast Guard, our Navy, as well as our Air Force respond rapidly, and we can sustain that kind of effort for a significant period of time.
"I'm confident, [the Haiti mission] will have an impact" he continued, "but I don't think it will be that severe, even given the other commitments that we have. "And after all, this is our own back yard. They're very close neighbors, and we have a long, committed relationship to this country, and I think it's one that we'll continue to focus on in terms of relief."
Waiting for the 'sadness to hit'
Florida Guardsman anticipates news of family in Haiti
By Master Sgt. Thomas KielbasaFlorida National Guard
(1/15/10) -- As the world turned its attention to the devastation caused by an earthquake in Haiti this week, one Florida National Guard Soldier was waiting for word from family members living in the Caribbean nation.
Capt. Ludger Monfort of the 83rd Troop Command was paying extra attention to the media coverage of the Haitian relief efforts and hoping that his aunts, uncle and cousins affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti are alive and safe.
"I almost didn't believe it," the 32-year-old Guardsman said, describing his initial feelings after hearing about the deadly earthquake. "My immediate reaction was to call my mother (in Miami) and find out what was going on." Monfort was born in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, and said much of his extended family still lives in Haiti.
For the past few days, Monfort's family in South Florida has been trying to get any information they can about their relatives living in Haiti. Monfort said he has about 30 relatives living throughout Haiti, although he hasn't spoken with many of them in years.
He said they have only received word that his aunt and uncle living in Port-au-Prince survived the 7.0 earthquake and the havoc it caused in the capital.
"They were at their place of business in a bank when the earthquake (struck) so they stayed there because their house had tumbled over," Monfort said. "But they stayed in the bank the entire time and they're there right now. But for anyone else we have no idea what is going on right now."
Monfort is based at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in North Florida, but said he plans to visit his mother in Miami this weekend and try to be a "focal point" of stability for his immediate family in the U.S. "It's shocking, but I try to stay calm whenever things like this happen," Monfort said, speaking rapidly with a slight Haitian accent. "I don't want to overreact, especially when I talk to them...I am highly concerned, but I guess I don't show it as much."
As a young child, Monfort lived with relatives in Haiti, and in the early 1980s he came to the U.S. to be with his parents, who were already working in Miami. He became a U.S. citizen later while serving on active duty in the Army.
Now, as Monfort watches ongoing television coverage of the Haiti's earthquake recovery, he said he finds comfort in seeing the extensive humanitarian relief efforts.
"They are trying, and to me that is the most important thing," he said. "But I know it is very difficult. I'm happy to see the effort as opposed to not seeing any at all."
According to news reports, U.S. assets are already arriving in Haiti, including search-and-rescue teams, medical personnel and relief supplies. After hearing early estimates of death-tolls and seeing the images of the earthquake-ravaged capital on the news, Monfort said he expects at some point to hear bad news about his relatives in Haiti.
"The bottom line for me is I'm really concerned, and I'm waiting for that batch of sadness to hit me once I hear about it," he added.
Should they be needed, the Texas Guard members would work closely with and assist local authorities as needed, Guard officials said.
Guardsmen prepare for floods in South Texas
By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy
National Guard Bureau
(1/15/10) – About 95 Texas National Guardsmen are standing by in preparation for possible flash flooding from heavy rains that will move through the San Antonio and Austin areas this weekend. According to local news reports, UH-60 Blackhawk crewmembers and other Guard members with cargo trucks capable of fording standing water several feet deep are ready for any contingency.
Central Texas is known by many as Flash Flood Alley and officials said they will be closely monitoring the Brazos, Nueces and Guadalupe Rivers for any flooding.
Should they be needed, the Texas Guard members would work closely with and assist local authorities as needed, Guard officials said.
National Guard Bureau
(1/15/10) – About 95 Texas National Guardsmen are standing by in preparation for possible flash flooding from heavy rains that will move through the San Antonio and Austin areas this weekend. According to local news reports, UH-60 Blackhawk crewmembers and other Guard members with cargo trucks capable of fording standing water several feet deep are ready for any contingency.
Central Texas is known by many as Flash Flood Alley and officials said they will be closely monitoring the Brazos, Nueces and Guadalupe Rivers for any flooding.
Should they be needed, the Texas Guard members would work closely with and assist local authorities as needed, Guard officials said.
Ohio ANG pilot describes scene in Haiti
By Spc. Darron Salzer
National Guard Bureau
(1/15/10) – An Ohio Air National Guard C-130 pilot, who flew into the Haiti airport the day after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck, said he was surprised by the condition of the runway. “When we went in, we expected there to be worse conditions at the airport, but by the time we got there, all communication, navigation, and lighting systems were up and running,” said Air Force Lt. Col. William Baulkmon, an aircraft commander from the 179th Airlift Wing, based in Mansfield, Ohio.
Late on Jan. 13, members of the wing flew two C-130 aircraft into Haiti with support personnel and equipment.
“We brought in basic cargo such as communication equipment, and service members from the various services to accompany that equipment,” said Baulkmon. “More than likely we will continue to provide this type of support.”
About 45 members of the 179th have been deployed to Puerto Rico since Dec. 26 and were diverted to earthquake relief efforts. They joined forces with two C-130s from the 156th Airlift Wing of the Puerto Rico National Guard, based at Luis Muniz-Marin International Airport in San Juan.
“We were really surprised at how well the airport was set up as we came in,” said Baulkmon. “We expected the facility itself to be more degraded, but as soon as we landed, they started to off-load us and we were back on our way to Puerto Rico in less than an hour.”
The 179th air crews will be on alert, which means that they will be called upon at anytime in the next few days to fly more of these missions.
“We don’t know what the future’s going to hold, so we’re going to be ready at a moment’s notice,” said Baulkmon. “We were honored to be one of the first crews to go into Haiti to provide the aid that the people desperately need.
“We’ve always been willing and able to volunteer and be on the tip of the spear, and this is just a testament to the preparedness and training of our crews.”
In addition to the 179th, several other Air Guard units have been called up to support the relief effort.
The 167th Airlift Wing, based in Martinsburg, W.V., began hosting a staging area for life-saving supplies bound for Haiti on Jan. 14.
The unit has also alerted two aeromedical evacuation crews for possible deployment to Haiti. These crews assess, treat and transport critically wounded patients.
The 167th wing members responsible for palletizing and loading the supplies on a Mississippi Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III aircraft had returned only hours earlier from a grueling week-long deployment to Gulfport, Miss.
The C-17s and crews are part of the 172nd Airlift Wing based at Thompson Field in Flowood, Miss.
“When tragedy strikes our Soldiers and Airmen always come to the front, regardless of the situation,” said Army Maj. Gen. William L. Freeman, Jr., the adjutant general of Mississippi. “Our people and our assets will be standing by for any other recovery support that may be required.
The 193rd Special Operations Wing, based in Harrisburg, Pa., deployed three aircraft today, including an EC130J Commando Solo with 12 support personnel. The aircraft is a specially modified four-engine Hercules transport, which conducts information operations, psychological operations and civil affairs broadcasts in AM, FM, HF, TV and military communications bands, according to an Air Force Fact Sheet.
In 1994, Commando Solo was used to transmit messages to the citizens and leaders of Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy. President jean-Bertrand Aristide was featured in these broadcasts, which contributed to the orderly transition from military rule to democracy, according to the fact sheet.
Air Guard civil engineers from Kansas and New York are currently deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where they are assessing personnel and equipment for providing disaster relief response from the U.S. naval base.
As part of their annual two-week training requirement, the engineers were originally scheduled to assist with several base construction projects. The earthquake changed all that.
“This is what we do and it is an honor to be called upon to support this,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general of the Kansas National Guard. “Our Guardsmen are prepared to do whatever is necessary to help the victims in Haiti.”
Finally, officials from the Kentucky and Texas National Guard said they are standing by to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
"We have offered our airlift, search-and-rescue, and emergency medical capabilities and resources, but we have not received any official tasking to provide aid at this time," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Mike Richie, deputy adjutant general for Kentucky. "Meanwhile, we will continue to assess our resources and prepare for the call to duty."
“The crisis in Haiti is a tragedy of epic proportions,” said Army Maj. Gen. Jose S. Mayorga, the adjutant general of Texas. “It is the right and moral thing to provide whatever assistance is necessary to prevent further loss of life.”
(1/15/10) – An Ohio Air National Guard C-130 pilot, who flew into the Haiti airport the day after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck, said he was surprised by the condition of the runway. “When we went in, we expected there to be worse conditions at the airport, but by the time we got there, all communication, navigation, and lighting systems were up and running,” said Air Force Lt. Col. William Baulkmon, an aircraft commander from the 179th Airlift Wing, based in Mansfield, Ohio.
Late on Jan. 13, members of the wing flew two C-130 aircraft into Haiti with support personnel and equipment.
“We brought in basic cargo such as communication equipment, and service members from the various services to accompany that equipment,” said Baulkmon. “More than likely we will continue to provide this type of support.”
About 45 members of the 179th have been deployed to Puerto Rico since Dec. 26 and were diverted to earthquake relief efforts. They joined forces with two C-130s from the 156th Airlift Wing of the Puerto Rico National Guard, based at Luis Muniz-Marin International Airport in San Juan.
“We were really surprised at how well the airport was set up as we came in,” said Baulkmon. “We expected the facility itself to be more degraded, but as soon as we landed, they started to off-load us and we were back on our way to Puerto Rico in less than an hour.”
The 179th air crews will be on alert, which means that they will be called upon at anytime in the next few days to fly more of these missions.
“We don’t know what the future’s going to hold, so we’re going to be ready at a moment’s notice,” said Baulkmon. “We were honored to be one of the first crews to go into Haiti to provide the aid that the people desperately need.
“We’ve always been willing and able to volunteer and be on the tip of the spear, and this is just a testament to the preparedness and training of our crews.”
In addition to the 179th, several other Air Guard units have been called up to support the relief effort.
The 167th Airlift Wing, based in Martinsburg, W.V., began hosting a staging area for life-saving supplies bound for Haiti on Jan. 14.
The unit has also alerted two aeromedical evacuation crews for possible deployment to Haiti. These crews assess, treat and transport critically wounded patients.
The 167th wing members responsible for palletizing and loading the supplies on a Mississippi Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III aircraft had returned only hours earlier from a grueling week-long deployment to Gulfport, Miss.
The C-17s and crews are part of the 172nd Airlift Wing based at Thompson Field in Flowood, Miss.
“When tragedy strikes our Soldiers and Airmen always come to the front, regardless of the situation,” said Army Maj. Gen. William L. Freeman, Jr., the adjutant general of Mississippi. “Our people and our assets will be standing by for any other recovery support that may be required.
The 193rd Special Operations Wing, based in Harrisburg, Pa., deployed three aircraft today, including an EC130J Commando Solo with 12 support personnel. The aircraft is a specially modified four-engine Hercules transport, which conducts information operations, psychological operations and civil affairs broadcasts in AM, FM, HF, TV and military communications bands, according to an Air Force Fact Sheet.
In 1994, Commando Solo was used to transmit messages to the citizens and leaders of Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy. President jean-Bertrand Aristide was featured in these broadcasts, which contributed to the orderly transition from military rule to democracy, according to the fact sheet.
Air Guard civil engineers from Kansas and New York are currently deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where they are assessing personnel and equipment for providing disaster relief response from the U.S. naval base.
As part of their annual two-week training requirement, the engineers were originally scheduled to assist with several base construction projects. The earthquake changed all that.
“This is what we do and it is an honor to be called upon to support this,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general of the Kansas National Guard. “Our Guardsmen are prepared to do whatever is necessary to help the victims in Haiti.”
Finally, officials from the Kentucky and Texas National Guard said they are standing by to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
"We have offered our airlift, search-and-rescue, and emergency medical capabilities and resources, but we have not received any official tasking to provide aid at this time," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Mike Richie, deputy adjutant general for Kentucky. "Meanwhile, we will continue to assess our resources and prepare for the call to duty."
“The crisis in Haiti is a tragedy of epic proportions,” said Army Maj. Gen. Jose S. Mayorga, the adjutant general of Texas. “It is the right and moral thing to provide whatever assistance is necessary to prevent further loss of life.”
USNS Comfort Readies to Leave for Haiti
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - Early last spring, Navy Capt. James Ware was preparing his crew aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort for a humanitarian assistance mission in Haiti, the first stop during a four-month swing through the region. Today, Ware is overseeing final preparations 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 tomorrow 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."
USNS 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 today 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.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Lamar McDavis, based at the National Naval Medical Center, kept his checklist handy to keep track of the loading process. "It's going to be a long day here," he said, noting that he expects to load as many as 800 pallets by the day's end, compressing into just one day what typically would take about three.
"We're doing this fast, but it can't be fast enough," McDavis said. "People are suffering, and the quicker we get help to them, the better off they will be."
USNS 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 in San Diego, Ware said. In addition to onboard 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, USNS 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."
Navy 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 crewmembers 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 crewmembers 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."
Jan. 15, 2010 - Early last spring, Navy Capt. James Ware was preparing his crew aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort for a humanitarian assistance mission in Haiti, the first stop during a four-month swing through the region. Today, Ware is overseeing final preparations 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 tomorrow 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."
USNS 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 today 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.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Lamar McDavis, based at the National Naval Medical Center, kept his checklist handy to keep track of the loading process. "It's going to be a long day here," he said, noting that he expects to load as many as 800 pallets by the day's end, compressing into just one day what typically would take about three.
"We're doing this fast, but it can't be fast enough," McDavis said. "People are suffering, and the quicker we get help to them, the better off they will be."
USNS 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 in San Diego, Ware said. In addition to onboard 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, USNS 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."
Navy 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 crewmembers 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 crewmembers 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."
MILITARY CONTRACTS January 15, 2010
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
AM General, LLC, Mishawaka, Ind., is being awarded a maximum $93,400,918 firm-fixed-price, sole-source, requirements-type contract in support of HMMWV industrial base requirements. Other locations of performance are in Pennsylvania and Texas. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is for one base year and four possible one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is January 2012. The Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (SPM7LX-09-D-9001).
The Merchants Co., Hattiesburg, Miss., is being awarded a maximum $30,420,000 firm-fixed-price, prime vendor contract for full line food distribution. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies and Coast Guard. The original proposal was Web solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first 18-month option period. The date of performance completion is July 17, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM300-08-D-3242).
NAVY
Michael Baker, Jr., Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $75,000,000 maximum value, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for multimedia environmental compliance engineering support for Navy and other Department of Defense installations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic area of responsibility, primarily including the Northeast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic continental United States and some overseas locations. The work to be performed provides for preparation of studies, plans, specifications, design, reports, cost estimates and all associated engineering services in support of the various environmental compliance programs, including: Clean Air Act compliance; Safe Drinking Water Act compliance; stormwater pollution prevention plans and Clean Water Act compliance studies; wastewater plans and compliance studies; laboratory services; petroleum storage tank; oil spill preparedness and planning; waste management; environmental condition of property programs; pesticide management; radon and related products; and sustainability services. The maximum dollar value includes the base period and four option years. Work will be performed predominately in the following states: Virginia; West Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Alabama; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; and Vermont, as well as locations outside the contiguous United States such as Africa, Europe, Southwest Asia, Bahrain, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay. Also included to a lesser extent are Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana, as needed. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of January 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Web site, with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-10-D-3000).
WTAK-2, Inc., Mobile, Ala., is being awarded $28,000,000 to exercise an option under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00033-82-C-1021) for the purchase of maritime prepositioning ship MV PFC Eugene A. Obregon. WTAK-2, which held Military Sealift Command's (MSC) previous long-term charter for Obregon, is executing the sale on behalf of Bell Atlantic Tricon Leasing. The ship's new name will be USNS PFC Eugene A. Obregon. The ship has been under long-term charter to MSC since 1985. The ship will remain crewed by about 26 U.S. merchant mariners employed by Waterman Steamship Corp., Mobile, Ala. Obregon is one of 15 maritime prepositioning ships that strategically place Marine Corps equipment and supplies at sea around the world, making the cargo readily available to warfighters who are flown into a theater of operations. The ship will transfer to U.S. government ownership on Jan. 15, 2010, and will continue to operate worldwide. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
American Overseas Marine, Quincy, Mass., is being awarded a $27,196,706 firm-fixed-price contract for the operation and maintenance of seven government-owned Bob Hope-class large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ships, also called LMSRs. These civilian-crewed ships with their more than 380,000 square feet of cargo-carrying capacity, reinforced decks, shipboard cranes, interior ramps, slewing stern ramp and a movable ramp that services two side ports are ideal for fast loading and off-loading of out-sized military equipment, including tanks, trucks, Humvees and other rolling stock. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $238,165,698. The contract includes four one-year option periods and five six-month award term periods. For six of the seven LMSRs, work will be performed at East Coast, Gulf Coast and West Coast ports where the ships will be primarily maintained in reduced operating status. When needed, these six ships may be activated and fully crewed to transport Department of Defense equipment in support of deployed U.S. military forces worldwide. For the seventh LMSR, work will be performed at sea in support of the Marine Corps' afloat prepositioning mission. The contract is expected to be completed in February 2011, if all option periods are exercised, completion date will be September 2017. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online and the Federal Business Opportunities Web site, with more than 50 proposals solicited and seven offers received. The Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00033-10-C-5300).
Universal Propulsion Co., Fairfield, Calif., is being awarded a $16,015,378 firm-fixed-price, definite-delivery/definite-quantity contract for the manufacture of digital recovery sequencer kits, power modules and electronic modules in support of the F-15, F-16 F-17 and F-117 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fairfield, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by July 2011. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This announcement includes foreign military sales to the governments of Taiwan (11 percent); the Netherlands (10 percent); Saudi Arabia (4 percent); Singapore (3 percent); Korea (3 percent); Thailand (2 percent); Norway (2 percent); Egypt (2 percent); Israel (1 percent); Denmark (1 percent); Oman (1 percent); and Pakistan, Jordan, Italy, Poland, Chile and United Arab Emirates (less than one percent). This contract was not competitively awarded. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-10-C-K026).
SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., is being awarded an $8,957,506 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for the research and development for low frequency, high power satellite calibration service and software development support. This research and development covers the effort required to support the development of various ground support systems which provide support to space and airborne systems. Work will be performance in State College, Pa. (81 percent) and Menlo Park, Calif. (19 percent), and work is expected to be completed January 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $22,000 will expire at end of current fiscal year. The contract was procured under Request for Proposal Number N000173-09-R-RS02 on the basis of other than full and open competition in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 and one offer was received. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N000173-10-C-6005).
AIR FORCE
Boeing Co., Seal Beach, Calif., was awarded a $30,879,365 contract which will exercise the option for CY2010 maintenance and operations services to provide the requirements for the development and delivery of the logistics infrastructure for the Space Based Space Surveillance Block 10 system. At this time, $7,756,737 has been obligated. SMC/SYSW, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8819-08-C-0006, P00014).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., was awarded an $8,241,332 contract which will provide data rates communications upgrade Phase II to the Aircraft Structural Integrity Program. At this time, $2,000,000 has been obligated. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (F33657-01-C-4600).
Unison Engine Components, Manchester, Conn., was awarded an $8,246,798 contract which will provide 455 synchronization rings to support the F100_PW-200/20/220E engines. 448 SCMG/PKBCB Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8121-10-C-C-0002).
AM General, LLC, Mishawaka, Ind., is being awarded a maximum $93,400,918 firm-fixed-price, sole-source, requirements-type contract in support of HMMWV industrial base requirements. Other locations of performance are in Pennsylvania and Texas. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is for one base year and four possible one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is January 2012. The Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (SPM7LX-09-D-9001).
The Merchants Co., Hattiesburg, Miss., is being awarded a maximum $30,420,000 firm-fixed-price, prime vendor contract for full line food distribution. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies and Coast Guard. The original proposal was Web solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first 18-month option period. The date of performance completion is July 17, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM300-08-D-3242).
NAVY
Michael Baker, Jr., Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $75,000,000 maximum value, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for multimedia environmental compliance engineering support for Navy and other Department of Defense installations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic area of responsibility, primarily including the Northeast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic continental United States and some overseas locations. The work to be performed provides for preparation of studies, plans, specifications, design, reports, cost estimates and all associated engineering services in support of the various environmental compliance programs, including: Clean Air Act compliance; Safe Drinking Water Act compliance; stormwater pollution prevention plans and Clean Water Act compliance studies; wastewater plans and compliance studies; laboratory services; petroleum storage tank; oil spill preparedness and planning; waste management; environmental condition of property programs; pesticide management; radon and related products; and sustainability services. The maximum dollar value includes the base period and four option years. Work will be performed predominately in the following states: Virginia; West Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Alabama; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; and Vermont, as well as locations outside the contiguous United States such as Africa, Europe, Southwest Asia, Bahrain, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay. Also included to a lesser extent are Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana, as needed. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of January 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Web site, with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-10-D-3000).
WTAK-2, Inc., Mobile, Ala., is being awarded $28,000,000 to exercise an option under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00033-82-C-1021) for the purchase of maritime prepositioning ship MV PFC Eugene A. Obregon. WTAK-2, which held Military Sealift Command's (MSC) previous long-term charter for Obregon, is executing the sale on behalf of Bell Atlantic Tricon Leasing. The ship's new name will be USNS PFC Eugene A. Obregon. The ship has been under long-term charter to MSC since 1985. The ship will remain crewed by about 26 U.S. merchant mariners employed by Waterman Steamship Corp., Mobile, Ala. Obregon is one of 15 maritime prepositioning ships that strategically place Marine Corps equipment and supplies at sea around the world, making the cargo readily available to warfighters who are flown into a theater of operations. The ship will transfer to U.S. government ownership on Jan. 15, 2010, and will continue to operate worldwide. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
American Overseas Marine, Quincy, Mass., is being awarded a $27,196,706 firm-fixed-price contract for the operation and maintenance of seven government-owned Bob Hope-class large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ships, also called LMSRs. These civilian-crewed ships with their more than 380,000 square feet of cargo-carrying capacity, reinforced decks, shipboard cranes, interior ramps, slewing stern ramp and a movable ramp that services two side ports are ideal for fast loading and off-loading of out-sized military equipment, including tanks, trucks, Humvees and other rolling stock. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $238,165,698. The contract includes four one-year option periods and five six-month award term periods. For six of the seven LMSRs, work will be performed at East Coast, Gulf Coast and West Coast ports where the ships will be primarily maintained in reduced operating status. When needed, these six ships may be activated and fully crewed to transport Department of Defense equipment in support of deployed U.S. military forces worldwide. For the seventh LMSR, work will be performed at sea in support of the Marine Corps' afloat prepositioning mission. The contract is expected to be completed in February 2011, if all option periods are exercised, completion date will be September 2017. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online and the Federal Business Opportunities Web site, with more than 50 proposals solicited and seven offers received. The Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00033-10-C-5300).
Universal Propulsion Co., Fairfield, Calif., is being awarded a $16,015,378 firm-fixed-price, definite-delivery/definite-quantity contract for the manufacture of digital recovery sequencer kits, power modules and electronic modules in support of the F-15, F-16 F-17 and F-117 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fairfield, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by July 2011. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This announcement includes foreign military sales to the governments of Taiwan (11 percent); the Netherlands (10 percent); Saudi Arabia (4 percent); Singapore (3 percent); Korea (3 percent); Thailand (2 percent); Norway (2 percent); Egypt (2 percent); Israel (1 percent); Denmark (1 percent); Oman (1 percent); and Pakistan, Jordan, Italy, Poland, Chile and United Arab Emirates (less than one percent). This contract was not competitively awarded. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-10-C-K026).
SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., is being awarded an $8,957,506 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for the research and development for low frequency, high power satellite calibration service and software development support. This research and development covers the effort required to support the development of various ground support systems which provide support to space and airborne systems. Work will be performance in State College, Pa. (81 percent) and Menlo Park, Calif. (19 percent), and work is expected to be completed January 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $22,000 will expire at end of current fiscal year. The contract was procured under Request for Proposal Number N000173-09-R-RS02 on the basis of other than full and open competition in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 and one offer was received. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N000173-10-C-6005).
AIR FORCE
Boeing Co., Seal Beach, Calif., was awarded a $30,879,365 contract which will exercise the option for CY2010 maintenance and operations services to provide the requirements for the development and delivery of the logistics infrastructure for the Space Based Space Surveillance Block 10 system. At this time, $7,756,737 has been obligated. SMC/SYSW, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8819-08-C-0006, P00014).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., was awarded an $8,241,332 contract which will provide data rates communications upgrade Phase II to the Aircraft Structural Integrity Program. At this time, $2,000,000 has been obligated. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (F33657-01-C-4600).
Unison Engine Components, Manchester, Conn., was awarded an $8,246,798 contract which will provide 455 synchronization rings to support the F100_PW-200/20/220E engines. 448 SCMG/PKBCB Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8121-10-C-C-0002).
Defense Department to Provide Blood Supplies to Haiti
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - The Defense Department has ordered delivery of an initial supply of 500 units of frozen red blood cells to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, a military official said today. With the number of wounded Haitians climbing well into the thousands, blood and medical support has become another priority in the relief efforts, Army Col. (Dr.) Frank Rentas, director of the armed forces blood program, said in a Pentagon Channel interview.
The USNS Comfort, a hospital ship home-ported in Baltimore, as well as other Navy vessels are heading to Haiti throughout the weekend, Rentas said. As of 3 p.m. EST today, those units of blood were being transferred to the Comfort from the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
"We're still in contact [with the U.S. military in Haiti] and are going to be checking throughout the weekend to see if there's an additional support necessary for the mission," Rentas said. "We're on stand by to find out whether what they have is enough blood supplies, or if they're going to need more."
The Red Cross estimates that 50,000 Haitians were killed in the magnitude 7 earthquake. Thousands of walking wounded throughout the island reportedly need medical treatment.
Medical assistance, food, water and search and rescue are the military's main concerns in the initial response there, Pentagon officials said.
U.S. military support includes ground forces of Marines and soldiers focused on humanitarian assistance and search-and-rescue operations. Coast Guard and Navy vessels are operating off the Haitian coast. More than 1,000 U.S. servicemembers are providing relief efforts there, with more on the way.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - The Defense Department has ordered delivery of an initial supply of 500 units of frozen red blood cells to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, a military official said today. With the number of wounded Haitians climbing well into the thousands, blood and medical support has become another priority in the relief efforts, Army Col. (Dr.) Frank Rentas, director of the armed forces blood program, said in a Pentagon Channel interview.
The USNS Comfort, a hospital ship home-ported in Baltimore, as well as other Navy vessels are heading to Haiti throughout the weekend, Rentas said. As of 3 p.m. EST today, those units of blood were being transferred to the Comfort from the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
"We're still in contact [with the U.S. military in Haiti] and are going to be checking throughout the weekend to see if there's an additional support necessary for the mission," Rentas said. "We're on stand by to find out whether what they have is enough blood supplies, or if they're going to need more."
The Red Cross estimates that 50,000 Haitians were killed in the magnitude 7 earthquake. Thousands of walking wounded throughout the island reportedly need medical treatment.
Medical assistance, food, water and search and rescue are the military's main concerns in the initial response there, Pentagon officials said.
U.S. military support includes ground forces of Marines and soldiers focused on humanitarian assistance and search-and-rescue operations. Coast Guard and Navy vessels are operating off the Haitian coast. More than 1,000 U.S. servicemembers are providing relief efforts there, with more on the way.
West Virginia Air Guard Operates Staging Area
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Sherree Grebenstein
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - Airmen with the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing are working around the clock here in an effort to get critical life-saving supplies to Haiti's earthquake victims. The air base was transformed yesterday into a staging area for more than 332,000 pounds of supplies bound for the airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Hundreds of thousands of pounds more are expected to be palletized at the air base for shipment to Haiti in the coming days. A C-17 Globemaster III from the Mississippi Air National Guard made the first flight out of the Martinsburg air base last night.
Sixteen tractor-trailers and eight box trucks ordered by the Department of Health and Human Services brought the critical cargo to the 167th Airlift Wing to be loaded onto aircraft bound for Haiti's capital. The trucks were loaded with medical supplies and equipment, generators, air-conditioning units, tents, food and water.
Air Force Col. Roger L. Nye, 167th Airlift Wing commander, said the C-5 Galaxy aircraft stationed at the base in Martinsburg aren't being used to fly the supplies and equipment to Haiti due to the transport jet's massive size. "A C-5 would shut down the airfield at Port-au-Prince," he said.
Jerry Hill, a Health and Human Services logistics manager, has a 180,000-square foot warehouse that houses emergency medical supplies. "When disasters happen, [the department] is responsible for getting critical assets to the medical professionals in the field," he said.
When it came to finding a location to stage operations for the massive humanitarian airlift, Hill didn't have to look far. As the deployment officer for the 167th Airlift Wing's aeromedical evacuation squadron, Hillknows the wing's efficient reputation and capabilities.
"Within 12 hours, we had trucks on site here," he said. "I expected great support from the unit, and that is exactly what we got. When the flag goes up, these guys really shine."
Hill estimated that more than a million pounds of supplies will be flown to Haiti from the base.
"The base was chosen to support this mission due to the ideal proximity to the national capital region," said Air Force Maj. Melissa Shade, 167th Airlift Wing chief of staff. "Most recently, emergency responders were staged at Martinsburg to support the 2009 presidential inauguration. Since the base began the transformation to house C-5s in 2002, the spacious hangars offer ideal conditions for these types of operations."
Nye lauded the efforts of his unit's airmen as they worked in tandem to ensure that critical supplies were loaded onto aircraft as quickly as possible for the desperate earthquake victims in Haiti.
The colonel said airmen from the unit eventually may be tasked to support the humanitarian efforts downrange as well. The 167th Airlift Wing has alerted two aeromedical evacuation crews for possible deployment to Haiti. These crews will assess, treat and transport critically wounded patients.
About 700 airmen currently are involved with relief effort operations at the Martinsburg air base.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Chris Crowell, a cargo specialist with the wing's Logistics readiness squadron, said he is proud to serve on his first humanitarian mission by helping to palletize supplies for aircraft waiting on the base's runway.
"'Mountaineer Pride Worldwide' is our motto," he said of the West Virginia Air National Guard.
Crowell said his heart goes out to the earthquake victims. "I know they didn't have that much to begin with," he said. "We'll try to do what we can to help. It will be worth it in the end."
Many 167th Airlift Wing members responsible for palletizing and loading the supplies on the Mississippi Air National Guard C-17 aircraft had just returned from a week-long deployment to Gulfport, Miss. More than 400 of the base's airmen were in Mississippi to complete an operational
readiness exercise, which is a test of a unit's ability to prepare its members for overseas deployments.
Air Force Capt. Bill Brohard, officer in charge of the wing's small air terminal, said the real-world humanitarian mission allows airmen to test their mettle.
"We're hoping to put our skills to good use," he said.
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Sherree Grebenstein serves with the West Virginia National Guard. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Cadle, state public affairs officer for the West Virginia National Guard, contributed to this story.)
Jan. 15, 2010 - Airmen with the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing are working around the clock here in an effort to get critical life-saving supplies to Haiti's earthquake victims. The air base was transformed yesterday into a staging area for more than 332,000 pounds of supplies bound for the airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Hundreds of thousands of pounds more are expected to be palletized at the air base for shipment to Haiti in the coming days. A C-17 Globemaster III from the Mississippi Air National Guard made the first flight out of the Martinsburg air base last night.
Sixteen tractor-trailers and eight box trucks ordered by the Department of Health and Human Services brought the critical cargo to the 167th Airlift Wing to be loaded onto aircraft bound for Haiti's capital. The trucks were loaded with medical supplies and equipment, generators, air-conditioning units, tents, food and water.
Air Force Col. Roger L. Nye, 167th Airlift Wing commander, said the C-5 Galaxy aircraft stationed at the base in Martinsburg aren't being used to fly the supplies and equipment to Haiti due to the transport jet's massive size. "A C-5 would shut down the airfield at Port-au-Prince," he said.
Jerry Hill, a Health and Human Services logistics manager, has a 180,000-square foot warehouse that houses emergency medical supplies. "When disasters happen, [the department] is responsible for getting critical assets to the medical professionals in the field," he said.
When it came to finding a location to stage operations for the massive humanitarian airlift, Hill didn't have to look far. As the deployment officer for the 167th Airlift Wing's aeromedical evacuation squadron, Hillknows the wing's efficient reputation and capabilities.
"Within 12 hours, we had trucks on site here," he said. "I expected great support from the unit, and that is exactly what we got. When the flag goes up, these guys really shine."
Hill estimated that more than a million pounds of supplies will be flown to Haiti from the base.
"The base was chosen to support this mission due to the ideal proximity to the national capital region," said Air Force Maj. Melissa Shade, 167th Airlift Wing chief of staff. "Most recently, emergency responders were staged at Martinsburg to support the 2009 presidential inauguration. Since the base began the transformation to house C-5s in 2002, the spacious hangars offer ideal conditions for these types of operations."
Nye lauded the efforts of his unit's airmen as they worked in tandem to ensure that critical supplies were loaded onto aircraft as quickly as possible for the desperate earthquake victims in Haiti.
The colonel said airmen from the unit eventually may be tasked to support the humanitarian efforts downrange as well. The 167th Airlift Wing has alerted two aeromedical evacuation crews for possible deployment to Haiti. These crews will assess, treat and transport critically wounded patients.
About 700 airmen currently are involved with relief effort operations at the Martinsburg air base.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Chris Crowell, a cargo specialist with the wing's Logistics readiness squadron, said he is proud to serve on his first humanitarian mission by helping to palletize supplies for aircraft waiting on the base's runway.
"'Mountaineer Pride Worldwide' is our motto," he said of the West Virginia Air National Guard.
Crowell said his heart goes out to the earthquake victims. "I know they didn't have that much to begin with," he said. "We'll try to do what we can to help. It will be worth it in the end."
Many 167th Airlift Wing members responsible for palletizing and loading the supplies on the Mississippi Air National Guard C-17 aircraft had just returned from a week-long deployment to Gulfport, Miss. More than 400 of the base's airmen were in Mississippi to complete an operational
readiness exercise, which is a test of a unit's ability to prepare its members for overseas deployments.
Air Force Capt. Bill Brohard, officer in charge of the wing's small air terminal, said the real-world humanitarian mission allows airmen to test their mettle.
"We're hoping to put our skills to good use," he said.
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Sherree Grebenstein serves with the West Virginia National Guard. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Cadle, state public affairs officer for the West Virginia National Guard, contributed to this story.)
Air Force Photographs Damage to Help Relief Effort
By Judith Snyderman
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - A high-tech, unmanned Air Force aircraft is flying over Haiti to collect imagery of vital infrastructure in the wake of the Jan. 12 earthquake that struck the island. The RQ-4 Global Hawk's photos are providing critical assessment data for earthquake recovery efforts and will inform the U.S. military where they can position assets, Air Force Col. Bradley G. Butz told reporters during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable today. Butz is vice commander of the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va.
The Global Hawk flew 14 hours yesterday and will log another 16 hours today, providing about 2,000 images of some 1,000 targets, Butz said. "I think we have pretty good coverage of the entire situation and across the spectrum of capabilities," he added.
The priority is to capture the condition of key infrastructure such as airstrips, bridges and ports throughout the country, where relief agencies may be able to gain entrance to reach injured and trapped people. The clarity of the high-altitude images is good enough, Butz said, "to determine a go [or] no-go," for the use of airport facilities.
Analysts, including some working for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, will compare the Global Hawk photos with reference images taken in June to discern what damage was caused by the earthquake, Butz said. The images will be available to U.S. Southern Command officials coordinating the military effort in Haiti.
"The objective is massive distribution to everyone supplying relief," he said.
The Global Hawk had been slated to go to Afghanistan, Butz said, but was diverted by a Southcom request for help in Haiti. "To my knowledge, this is first time for the use of this aircraft for disaster relief in the Caribbean," the colonel said.
The Global Hawk was flown from its home station at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. It refueled at the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md., before arriving in Haiti.
(Judith Snyderman is assigned to Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 15, 2010 - A high-tech, unmanned Air Force aircraft is flying over Haiti to collect imagery of vital infrastructure in the wake of the Jan. 12 earthquake that struck the island. The RQ-4 Global Hawk's photos are providing critical assessment data for earthquake recovery efforts and will inform the U.S. military where they can position assets, Air Force Col. Bradley G. Butz told reporters during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable today. Butz is vice commander of the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va.
The Global Hawk flew 14 hours yesterday and will log another 16 hours today, providing about 2,000 images of some 1,000 targets, Butz said. "I think we have pretty good coverage of the entire situation and across the spectrum of capabilities," he added.
The priority is to capture the condition of key infrastructure such as airstrips, bridges and ports throughout the country, where relief agencies may be able to gain entrance to reach injured and trapped people. The clarity of the high-altitude images is good enough, Butz said, "to determine a go [or] no-go," for the use of airport facilities.
Analysts, including some working for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, will compare the Global Hawk photos with reference images taken in June to discern what damage was caused by the earthquake, Butz said. The images will be available to U.S. Southern Command officials coordinating the military effort in Haiti.
"The objective is massive distribution to everyone supplying relief," he said.
The Global Hawk had been slated to go to Afghanistan, Butz said, but was diverted by a Southcom request for help in Haiti. "To my knowledge, this is first time for the use of this aircraft for disaster relief in the Caribbean," the colonel said.
The Global Hawk was flown from its home station at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. It refueled at the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md., before arriving in Haiti.
(Judith Snyderman is assigned to Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
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