USS Carl Vinson Passes Sea Trials After Upgrade

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Why Bill Clinton's heart belongs to Haiti


In 1975, he and Hillary spent a belated honeymoon in the country and have felt a connection ever since

WASHINGTON–Horrible happenstance and deep personal history have thrust Bill Clinton into the spotlight as the global point man for his beloved Haiti, with the former U.S. president already mobilizing millions in aid donations from citizens the world over.

George W. Bush, who shares duties with Clinton leading the drive for earthquake relief, is playing a quieter role behind the scenes. But both will appear Saturday at a White House meeting with President Barack Obama in a rare bipartisan moment intended to demonstrate unity of purpose.

For Clinton, the project is unmistakably personal – it was in Haiti in December 1975 that he and now-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spent a belated honeymoon, marking the start of an extraordinary interest in the country that has endured.

Clinton's fingerprints on Haiti are controversial, most memorable his 1994 decision to use the threat of U.S. military invasion to force the return of exiled former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide – a move history suggests merely extended chronic poverty and corruption.

But Clinton never gave up and has since emerged as the pre-eminent champion for the hemisphere's poorest country, mobilizing an estimated $200 million (U.S.) in aid to Haiti through his Clinton Global Initiative charity. Clinton redoubled those efforts last May, accepted a role as UN envoy to Haiti to spearhead recovery efforts after a series of four deadly hurricanes.

Tuesday's horrific earthquake awakened in Clinton a quality that personified his most charismatic days in office – the ability to implore for an urgent and worthy cause with almost evangelical zeal. And he has worked it tirelessly in a succession of TV appeals and print articles that have helped to fashion a sense of hope from chaos.

Hillary Clinton announced that she would visit the country Saturday with new USAID chief Rajiv Shah to get a first-hand look at the relief effort. She said the trip would allow her to personally show support for the people of Haiti.

So far, she has said little of the couple's personal history with Haiti. Instead, husband Bill filled the void on CNN, saying, "She is so upset about this.

"We have loved that place for a long time and we think that the people have gotten a raw deal time and time again," he said. "And they keep coming back, and they will come back again if people will see them as their fellow human beings.... They are hurting, but they are good people, and they need our help."

Looks like the earthquake shook those old memories eh... ,anyways great effort for those poor deserving people. God Bless them All ....!

Why Bill Clinton's heart belongs to Haiti

 

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Southcom Officials Provide Haiti Update
UNITED STATES - 16 JANUARY 2010

WASHINGTON -- Officials at U.S. Southern Command headquarters here provided a recap Jan. 15 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 Jan. 15, 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 (CVN 70) and the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) are operating off the Haitian coast in support of the task force. 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 Jan. 15, officials said.

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the amphibious ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) 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 (LSD 50), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Underwood (FFG 36) and USS Normandy (CG 60) also are en route to Haiti.

The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) left Baltimore this Jan. 16 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 (LHD 3) 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.

 

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Looks like the Whole US homeland forces are mobilized for the AID of Haiti....!!!

 

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USS Gunston Hall Arrives in Haiti to Assist Earthquake Victims
19 JANUARY 2010

KILLICK, Haiti -- USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) anchored off Haiti Jan. 18 to begin providing relief supplies and assistance as part of Operation Unified Response.

"We were ready on arrival and began making an immediate difference," said Cmdr. Fred Wilhelm, commanding officer of Gunston Hall.

At anchorage near the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base, Gunston Hall sent boats ashore laden with people and supplies for use at the base clinic.

"There is a Coast Guard unit there that has been there several days," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Guest, an independent-duty corpsman and one of seven medically-trained personnel to go ashore. "The most important thing we could do for them was bring supplies. They were running low on some stuff and what we brought they began to use immediately."

The ship provided rice, dry spaghetti, bottled water and other dry goods, as well as approximately $20,000 worth of much-needed medical supplies to organizations already providing care. Some of the material included thermometers, surgical lights, syringes, medications and bandages.

The ship's doctor and Guest also provided assistance in caring for five of the patients, while other Sailors helped organize the pharmacy and aid in activities to make conditions better for the patients and caregivers. The ship's chaplain also performed spiritual services for the wounded.

"A lot of us were excited because this is what we trained for and what we wanted to provide," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Jessica Toothe.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Guy Leppry, a French speaker, provided translation services.

"It made me feel like a team player, knowing what I could do is critical to helping patients," said Leppry. "But it was busy; there was never a break."

"We'll continue to do what we can," Wilhelm said. "We're here to help."

Gunston Hall was scheduled to deploy to Africa to take part in Africa Partnership Station (APS) West when it got the word to be part of Operation Unified Response, providing support to Haitian earthquake victims.

A Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship, Gunston Hall recently completed a mid-life modernization availability. The work included major upgrades to the ship's control system, local area network and machinery control system, propulsion systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as replacement of the ship's boilers and evaporators with an all-electric services system.

Africa Partnership Station West is an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa that aims to improve maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.


ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 16, 2010) A CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 366 delivers a water buffalo to the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44). Gunston Hall was diverted from its mission to assist with relief efforts following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010.

 

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USNS Grasp, Divers Arrive in Port-au-Prince, Begin Port Assessments
19 JANUARY 2010

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) arrived in Haiti Jan. 18 and began coordinated joint diving operations in the port of Port-au-Prince in support of Operation Unified Response.

Grasp, a Military Sealift Command (MSC) rescue and salvage vessel, began dive operations with embarked U.S. Army's 544th Engineer Dive Team to assess the damage to the port facilities in order to reopen them for operations, allowing relief supplies and personnel additional access to provide aid.

"The 544th is ready to execute underwater surveying operations to identify obstacles that are blocking the channels in Haiti as well as confirm possible areas for unloading of cargo." said Capt. Scott Sann, Commander, 544th Engineer Dive Team. "This would be followed by salvage operations to clear debris from the identified pathways."

Grasp and the 544th will work in conjunction with Explosive Ordnance Disposal group 2, the Mobile and Diving Salvage Unit 2, and Underwater Construction Team 2 under command of Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 42. CTF 42 is overall in charge of all port assessment activities and coordination during Operation Unified Response.

Grasp and the 544th had been conducting Navy Diver Southern Partnership Station 2010 (ND SPS 10) off the coast of Belize prior to the earthquake in Haiti. Once diverted, the ship made a brief stop in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to refuel and collect food and supplies for humanitarian aid and disaster relief prior to their arrival in Port-au-Prince.

 

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Bataan, 22nd MEU, Amphibious Ready Group arrive off Haiti Coast
19 JANUARY 2010

ABOARD USS BATAAN -- The ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived off the coast of Haiti Jan. 19 to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief for earthquake survivors and bolster relief operations already underway in support of Operation Unified Response.

MEU and ARG leadership met with Rear Adm. Ted Branch, Commander, USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and his staff on board Vinson to discuss future operations.

According to 22nd MEU commanding officer, Col. Gareth F. Brandl, the Navy and Marine Corps units will begin providing assistance as soon as possible.

"We are here to support the Haitian people in an area that has been hard hit by this disaster." said Brandl. "As relief operations continue, we will further assess the needs of people in the area and refine how we can best support them with the capabilities we bring."

The major earthquake destroyed buildings and caused devastation throughout Port Au Prince and the surrounding areas Jan. 12. The 22nd MEU was ordered to assist the next morning and was fully embarked and underway aboard the ships USS Bataan, Fort McHenry and Carter Hall on Jan 16 in the morning hours. The ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group were underway from Norfolk to pick up the Marines and their equipment on Jan. 14.

"Something that normally would take weeks to plan execute happened in a matter of days," said Capt. Sam Howard, commanding officer of USS Bataan.

This sea-based force will bring added capabilities to aid the relief efforts without taxing the already strained infrastructure ashore. Comprised of heavy-lift and utility helicopters, trucks and humvees, assault amphibian vehicles, and logistics capabilities to include water purification and limited medical support, the 22nd MEU will further enhance the humanitarian relief efforts ashore.

The 22nd MEU is a multimission capable force comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its command element.

In addition to Bataan, the Amphibious Relief Mission also includes USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and detachments from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 15, Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 21, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 8, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 and Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 2.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 19, 2010) CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 461 conduct pre-flight checks prior to take-off aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan, along with the amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), is participating in Operation Unified Response providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the country on Jan. 12.



ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 16, 2010) UH-1N Huey from the Sabers of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 467 prepares to touch down on the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) during flight operations as the ship transits to Haiti. Bataan departed Naval Station Norfolk to provide humanitarian assistance disaster response following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 16, 2010) A pair of CH-53E Super Stallions from the Ironhorse of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 prepares to touch down on the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) during flight operations as the ship transits to Haiti. Bataan departed Naval Station Norfolk to provide humanitarian assistance disaster response in Haiti following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010.



ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 16, 2010) A CH-53E Super Stallion from the Ironhorse of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 prepares to touch down on the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) during flight operations as the ship transits to Haiti. Bataan departed Naval Station Norfolk to provide humanitarian assistance disaster response in Haiti following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 16, 2010) A Sailor ties down a UH-1N Huey from the Sabers of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 467 aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan departed Naval Station Norfolk to provide humanitarian assistance disaster response in Haiti following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010.

 

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 18, 2010) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) maneuvers off the coast of Haiti. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010.



PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 18, 2010) An MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to the Blackhawks of Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 14 lifts off from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to transport supplies to earthquake victims in Haiti. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010.



PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 18, 2010) An MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to the Blackhawks of Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 14 lifts off from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to transport supplies to earthquake victims in Haiti. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010.



PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 18, 2010) An SH-60S helicopter assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) lands at the airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to load water and supplies for distribution to earthquake victims. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010.



PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 18, 2010) U.S. military service members unload water from an SH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 15 at the airport at Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010.



PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 18, 2010) U.S. Navy Sailors assist a woman from an SH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to awaiting medical personnel. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 16, 2010) U.S. Army Soldiers unload food and water from a U.S. Navy SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The soldiers, assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, have set up a forward operating base to help establish security and provide humanitarian assistance.



PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 18, 2010) An air crew member from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) surveys the Haitian geography before landing and dropping off supplies. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010.

 

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USNS Comfort Receives First Patients Aboard
20 JANUARY 2010

USNS COMFORT, At Sea -- U.S. Navy medical professionals aboard USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) received their first patients Jan. 20, delivered by an MH60S "Knighthawk" helicopter from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the middle of the night.

Comfort's medical staff sprung into action following a message over the hospital ship's general announcing system informing shipboard personnel that a flight carrying patients was imminent.

"The team did an outstanding job with the two patients who arrived tonight," said Cmdr. Timothy F. Donahue, director of surgical services. "Just the way a good trauma resuscitation should be conducted."

The two patients, a six-year-old boy and a 20-year old man injured in the earthquake that devastated Haiti Jan. 12, arrived aboard the 1,000-bed hospital ship shortly after 10 p.m. An initial examination confirmed that both of the patients suffered from serious injuries.

"The first two patients arrived and were taken straight to casualty receiving," said Capt. Richard Sharpe, a trauma surgeon aboard. "The first was a Haitian boy who suffered a blunt injury to his pelvis. He is stable and doing well.

"The second patient was a male who suffered some blunt injury to his head and arm. He won't need surgery for either injury, so that is good news.

"However," said Sharpe, "we discovered spinal cord fluid leaking out of his ear, which is concerning. But based on his computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, his brain looks normal and is functioning properly."

Following initial assessments, both patients were moved to the intensive care unit for further observation.

Prior to arriving on station just a few hours away from the Caribbean nation of Haiti, Comfort Sailors spent much of their three-day transit from their home port of Baltimore, preparing for patients by conducting drills, reviewing procedures and conducting frequent exercises concentrating on the variety of afflictions they felt they were likely to encounter during their disaster relief efforts during Operation Unified Response.

"We have anticipated treating for extreme dehydration, infections from open wounds, orthopedic injuries and crush injuries," said Lt. Cmdr. Daniel D'Auora, division officer for the casualty receiving department aboard Comfort. "We have two cases of injuries at this moment, but we are also focused on the basic medical problems that may be exacerbated by the lack of medical care."

Doctors aboard the Vinson took this same level of care in providing initial treatment to the young boy, which helped extend the child's ability to fight for his life.

"A surgeon aboard Vinson performed the initial surgery on the young boy, who sustained blunt trauma to his pelvic region during the earthquake or subsequent aftershocks," said Sharpe. "That kind of trauma is unusual for such a young child, but upon his arrival to Comfort he was responsive and doing well."

Comfort plans to receive many more patients during their indefinite stay in the region in addition to landing medical teams and providing supplies, including water.

The disaster relief and humanitarian operation capabilities of the ship were expanded from the initial total of 600 medical personnel to man a 250-bed hospital to 1,000 hospital beds and more than 1,000 Sailors to meet the needs of the approximately three million Haitians affected by the earthquake.

In addition to Comfort, U.S. response assets participating in Operation Unified Response include Carl Vinson, USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Underwood (FFG 36), USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51), USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) and the USS Bataan (LHD 5) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). Bataan ARG consists of the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Bataan, USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 20, 2010) The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) anchored off the coast of Haiti, while helicopters bring on medical evacuated patients. Comfort is conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage in Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010.
USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). Length: 272 m



ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 19, 2010) Medical professionals aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) treat a six-year-old Haitian boy in the casualty receiving room aboard the 1,000-bed hospital ship. The boy transferred to Comfort by helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) for treatment for an injury to his bladder and a hip fracture during an earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan 12. The boy is in the intensive care unit aboard Comfort in stable condition. Comfort is supporting Operation Unified Response, a joint operation providing humanitarian assistance to Haiti.

 

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Tremendous photos. Thanks for your continuing coverage of this crisis and our efforts to assist. I'm deeply appreciative.

Thanks.

 

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bad news for islamic world anyway now u see that india will also buy it for sure.

 

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