From Africa to Haiti USS Gunston Hall Changes Course – DoD Roundtable

This was an extremely unique opportunity to discuss the efforts in Haiti due to the international staff on board the USS Gunston Hall! Captain Thebaud’s staff included naval officers from Nigeria, Senegal, Italy, Britain and Ghana who were embarked for an Africa Partnership Station (APS) West training event when diverted to Haiti. The ship was originally scheduled to head for Africa to work with West and Central African nations to improve their maritime security and cooperation, but this mission in support of Operation Unified Response changed that and became a lesson all its own. Since arriving off the coast of Haiti they have been working to improve conditions at the Killick Haitian Coast Guard base.

Upon arrival on the 18th, the crew began clearing a soccer field for helicopter operations at Killick. Since then 400 patients have been airlifted by helicopter from the soccer field. Each international officer played a critical role in the effort with their language skills and international affairs experience. The officer from Ghana gathered patient information and became known as their “Haitian brother” as he helped gain their confidence. They have had no crowd or unruly mob scenes at the station during the stressful times due to these types of skills. The Italian officer who also speaks French worked security issues at the gate and interfaced well with the population too. The British commander coordinated with United Nations forces as he was experienced with their operations. The Gunston Hall also had a small civil affairs team on board that worked well with the United Nations and Non Governmental Organizations while providing relief supplies.

The team on the Gunston Hall also coordinated with the Mexican Navy to bring supplies onto Killick from the ARM Huesteco. The Huesteco also provided medical teams for the Killick Coast Guard Station triage area. The US Marine group on board the Gunston Hall had planned to train with West African nations joined with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit increasing their capabilities as well.

When asked the officers all had a particular touching story to tell about care and survival for the Haitians. The first one involved the premature birth of a baby that was very unresponsive. Timing was perfect for a medical evacuation helicopter that was on the field and within one and half minutes the baby was enroute to the USNS Comfort hospital ship for critical care. Described as a “miracle” the baby survived and is doing well.

This is a fine example of how international cooperation can speed relief and improve the response of the nations involved. The USS Gunston Hall has made us very proud of her international crew! Thank you!

For the latest reports on DoD efforts in Haiti please go to the following MilitaryAvenue Article: Index of the US Military Response (chronologically listed).

To listen to this very interesting Roundtable with its international flavor please go to DoDLive!

Photo Credit: 100124-N-7948C-082 KILLICK, Haiti (Jan. 24, 2010) British Royal navy Cmdr. David Salisbury, right, the director of staff for Africa Partnership Station (APS) West, embarked aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), helps deliver donated goods from Mexico to more than a thousand people in a school yard in Killick. Gunston Hall was diverted from its Africa Partnership Station (APS) West mission to support Operation Unified Response following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Martine Cuaron/Released)

Photo Credit: 100124-N-7948C-069 KILLICK, Haiti (Jan. 24, 2010) Maritime Civil Affairs Team (MCAT) 203, along with Sailors from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and the Mexican navy ship ARM Huesteco (AMP 01) deliver donated goods from Mexico to more than a thousand people in a school yard in Killick. Gunston Hall was diverted from its Africa Partnership Station (APS) West mission to support Operation Unified Response following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Martine Cuaron/Released)

100122-N-8655E-567 KILLICK, Haiti (Jan. 22, 2010) Logistics Specialist 1st Class Michauli Martin, from Brooklyn, N.Y., assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), and Nigerian navy Capt. Adejimi Osinowo, assigned to the Africa Partnership Station West international staff, pass out bags of rice to Haitian civilians. Gunston Hall was diverted from its Africa Partnership Station West mission to assist in Operation Unified Response relief efforts for the victims of the Jan. 12 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelvin Edwards/Released)byColonel KonWednesday, January 27, 2010Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestMilitary Life:Col K,DoD Roundtable,Haiti