1. Vol. I, Issue 3
THE RESPONDER Telling the Joint Task Force-Haiti story
a
ll
t od
u ty
ca February 20, 2010
Servicemembers distribute
clean, fresh water in Haiti
By Spc. A. M. LaVey
XVIII Airborne Corps
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The
Soldiers of the 82nd Water De-
tachment, 16th Quartermaster
Company, 530th Combat Sus-
tainment Support Battalion, 49th
Group, have been purifying and
distributing clean water here
since they arrived last month.
“Our mission is to make and
distribute potable water, not only
to our servicemembers but also
to the people of Haiti,” said Staff
Spc. Latu Halafihi, a water puri- Sgt. Steven Latham, detachment
fication specialist with the 82nd noncommissioned officer-in-
Water Det., 16th Quartermas-
ter Co., 530th Combat Sustain-
charge.
“We acquired a water source
Colombian forces
ment Support Battalion, 49th
Group, provides local citizens from the locals who run the well PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Lt. Gen. Ken Keen, com-
and the pump for us,” Latham mander, Joint Task Force-Haiti, meets with Co-
with fresh water here Feb. 17.
lombian army Lt. Col. Ricardo Beltran (left), and
The 82nd Water Det. provides said. “We are bringing up their Colombian army and air force personnel at an inter-
its neighborhood with clean water, making it clean and then mediate aftercare facility here. Full story on Page 5
drinking water twice daily.
distributing it.”
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. A.M.
LaVey / XVIII Airborne Corps) Continued on page 6
Army divers help repair Haitian seaport
By Staff Sgt. Stephen Roach here has been congested since the earth-
XVIII Airborne Corps quake struck and the seaport’s north pier
was completely destroyed. That meant the
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – U.S. Army south pier which was also badly damaged
divers are deployed to Haiti in support of has to be repaired to allow for the offload
operation unified response. The small team of much needed relief supplies from large
of engineers specializes in underwater re- vessels.
pair, recovery operations, as well as demo- Ship-to-shore transport runs almost non-
lition. stop during the day, but the smaller vessels
544th Engineer Dive Team from Fort can only move so many supplies per trip.
Eustis, Va., was in Belize for a partner na- In order for the south pier to be used the
tion training opportunity with divers from Army divers have to restore vertical load
Central Belize and Guatemala the day the stability.
earthquake devastated the island nation of Capt. Scott Sann, commander, 544th En-
Haiti and they were sent straight to Port au gineer Dive Team, said, “The last thing you
Prince, Haiti to start mapping and survey- want to see is a ship weighed down with
Sgt. Andrew Miltenberger (L), and Capt. ing the Port-au-Prince Seaport shipping cargo that is meant for the Haitian people
Scott Sann (R), both with the 544th En-
lanes to ensure there was access to the bad- anchored out of the port waiting to come
gineer Dive Team, inspect the pier at the
ly damaged pier. in. Our main mission right now is to get
Port-au-Prince Seaport as a Haitian citizen
watches from the support structure. (U.S.
There are only two ways to get supplies this pier back to its vertical load capability
Army photo by Staff Sgt. Stephen Roach) into Haiti, by air or by sea. The airport pre-earthquake.”
Continued on page 6

2. JTF-H commander visits Spanish military allies in Haiti
By Sgt. Richard Andrade
XVIII Airborne Corps
PETIT-GOAVE, Haiti – Spain dispatched its naval amphibious as-
sault ship, Castilla, to assist in Operation Hispaniola, Spain’s mili-
tary relief operation for Haiti following the Jan. 12. earthquake.
The Rota Cadiz, Spain-based ship arrived in Haiti Feb. 4, trans-
porting a field hospital, 50 medical officers and 450 troops. The
ship is able to transport three helicopters, and several fast boats.
The Castilla is expected to remain on-station for approximately
three months.
Lt. Gen. Ken Keen, commander, Joint Task Force-Haiti, was
escorted by Spanish forces throughout Petit-Goave and visited
Spain’s medical aid stations and water distribution points. Keen
met with the doctors and civilians working at the aid station who
are assisting with the humanitarian aid effort.
The convoy of five vehicles drove through Petit-Goave with the Lt. Gen. Ken Keen, commander, Joint Task Force-Haiti, is es-
corted by Spanish navy officers throughout the city of Petit-
Spanish Marines. There were people donning face masks to pro- Goave, visiting Spain’s medical aid stations and water distribu-
tect them from the dust in the streets while sweeping and cleaning tion points. Spain dispatched its naval amphibious assault ship,
up rubble that was on the sidewalk. Castilla, to assist in Operation Hispaniola, Spain’s military re-
After visiting one medical aid station set up by the Spanish forc- lief operation for Haiti following the Jan. 12. earthquake. (U.S.
es, Sgt. Maj. Louis M. Espinal, command senior enlisted advisor, Army photo by Sgt. Richard Andrade / XVIII Airborne Corps)
JTF-H said the Spanish Marines and navy have “made an immedi- Remote Communities.
ate impact,” to the city of Petit-Goave He said, “One of the issues after the disaster was that many
There are many non-governmental organizations working with people wanted to give aid but there wasn’t an organization set up
the Spanish forces assisting with the relief efforts in Haiti, offering here,” said.
food, water, and radios. “Aid for Haiti has been here for less than two years,” said
Seamus O’Brien, logistics director for Medical Assistance to Continued on page 6
Coast Guard conducts humanitarian aid mission at Port-Au-Prince orphanage
By Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric J. Chandler
USCG District Seven
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit
307 began conducting a series of humanitarian assistance missions
at a local orphanage here Feb. 2.
The children of orphanages need more help than ever after a
magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the nation’s capitol on Jan. 12, kill-
ing more than 100,000 people and causing widespread devasta-
tion.
Members of the PSU are in Haiti performing security duties dur-
ing efforts to restore full shipping capacity at the port, but seeing
the extent of suffering and damage caused by the earthquake, the
Coast Guardsmen were compelled to do more.
“We’ve just come here to do something to help a little bit and
Coast Guard Lt. Teresa Wolf, a physician assistant assigned put smiles on these kid’s faces,” said Capt. Steven Baynes, Coast
to Port Security Unit 307, and Methelus Edelette, A Haitian Guard Liaison to the Joint Task Force-Haiti. “This is probably one
Coast Guard coreman, provide medical attention and medi-
cine during an orphanage relief project, Feb. 3. (U.S. Coast
of the most fulfilling and worth while endeavors I have been on
Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric J. Chandler) since being here.” Continued on page 6
THE RESPONDER Telling the Joint Task Force-Haiti story
ac
al
l to
du
ty The Responder is an electronic newsletter published every Wednesday and Saturday
for the Soldiers, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Airmen and Marines of JTF-Haiti.
Commander JTF-Haiti Lt. Gen. P. K. (Ken) Keen Responder Staff: The editor can be reached at The Responder
Command Senior Enlisted Advisor JTF-Haiti Sgt. Maj. Louis M. Espinal Editor Sgt. Richard Andrade office located in the LSA Dragon Sustainment
JTF-Haiti Public Affairs Officer Col. Billy J. Buckner Public Affairs Specialist Spc. A.M. LaVey tent, by phone: 797-7009 and or by email:
JTF-Haiti Public Affairs Senior Enlisted Advisor Sgt. Maj. Sharon Opeka richard.andrade@us.army.mil
This newspaper is an authorized publication for the members of Joint Task Foce-Haiti. Content of The Responder are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government. or the Department of
Defense. The Responder is an unofficial publication authorized by Army Regulation 360-1. Editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs office of Joint Task Force-Haiti.
The Responder is an electronic newsletter distributed by the JTF-H PAO. All photos are Department of Defense unless otherwise credited.

3. Air Mobility Command brings hope to Haiti
A C-17 Globemaster III from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., lands at the Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport Jan. 24, in Port-
au-Prince, Haiti. Department of Defense and U.S. Agency for International Development officials are conducting relief efforts in the
area following a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the region Jan. 12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)
By Capt. Jon Stock support the crippled nation. Command [Airmen] provided, by AMC Airmen through the
Air Mobility Command Since Operation Unified Re- and continue to provide, after Haitian airfield while 223 Hai-
lief operations launched, more the earthquake in Haiti has been tian critical patients have been
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, than 10,000 AMC active-duty, the largest, most concentrated aeromedically evacuated to the
Ill. (AFNS) -- One day after Air Force Reserve and Air Na- disaster response I've seen in United States. More than 30.5
an earthquake devastated the tional Guard units around the my 25-year Air Force career," million pounds were offloaded
island nation of Haiti Jan. 12, globe have responded in sup- said Col. Brian Reno, the direc- at the aerial port in Haiti by
Air Mobility Command Air- port of the humanitarian mis- tor of the 618th TACC's Con- AMC personnel as well.
men along with its total force sion. tingency Response Cell for Op- "During a recent 60-day de-
partners began operations to "The support Air Mobility eration Unified Response. ployment to the busiest aerial
"The Contingency Response port in Afghanistan, we moved
Cell was running for 30 days around 80 million pounds of
straight, which is the longest cargo with about 115 aerial por-
activation the CRC has seen ters. That's a lot of weight," said
since Sept. 11, 2001. The men Master Sgt. Shannon Koenig-
and women of AMC, starting stein, the aerial port lead for the
here at the TACC, did a phe- 817th Contingency Response
nomenal job planning, task- Group.
ing and executing missions to "In our first 10 days on the
support relief efforts, all while ground here in Haiti, we had
continuing to meet the needs already moved more than 12
of forces deployed around the million pounds of cargo with
world, including those engaged 20 porters. The initial pace of
in Operations Iraqi and Endur- operations here was blazing."
ing Freedom,” said Reno. AMC air-refueling tankers
AMC Airmen have flown were also in the relief opera-
more than 400 missions into tions keeping cargo aircraft in
Port-au-Prince delivering near- the air, flying 40 air-refueling
Tech. Sgt. Wayne Pennington helps control airflow traffic at ly 6,000 support members and sorties and delivering more
Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. This influx of aircraft op-
erate out of the base to assist with the Haiti earthquake re-
19 million pounds of cargo. than 130,000 gallons of fuel to
lief efforts. Sergeant Pennington is from the 512th Airlift Con- More than 15,000 American 45 aircraft.
trol Flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz) citizens have been evacuated Continued on page 7
3

4. Fort Bragg Field Service Company brings
showers, clean laundry to troops in Haiti
By Spc. A.M. LaVey and with Carlson’s two systems
XVIII Airborne Corps at full capacity, can process about
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The 259th 20,000 pounds of laundry per day.
Field Service Company, part of the 189th Starting a LADS site in the austere
Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, environment of Haiti has been very
82nd Sustainment Brigade, based out of trying for Carlson and his team.
Fort Bragg, N.C., arrived here Feb. 10 “Here in Haiti, it has been a chal-
to provide the Joint Task Force – Haiti lenge because there were no ex-
and the 82nd Airborne Division with isting facilities, but we were able
shower facilities and laundry services. to get things started and now we
Two 20-person shower, laundry, and keep them going,” said Carlson.
clothing repair teams, bringing with them “Before I took command
three trailer-based Laundry Advanced Sys- of the 259th, I did not real-
tems, have set-up shop at Logistical Sup- ize the amount of resources it
port Area Sustainer and work to provide takes to conduct field show-
Soldiers with two very important, often ers and laundry,” said Carlson.
overlooked services that almost seem al- “If I don’t have water, or fuel
most luxurious in a field environment. or some type of sump that can
“Soldiers want clean clothes, they have extract grey water, I can’t do
got to get their stuff clean,” said Capt. my mission. You have to al-
Burton Carlson, commander of the 259th. ways be thinking: what can I do
“We get it clean and return it to make this mission happen?”
to them in a timely manner.” “There are so many different
U.S. Army Pfc. Krystal Valentin, a shower/laundry
The laundry systems, known as LADS, can pieces in the puzzle to make a field and clothing repair specialist with the 259th Field
process 400 pounds of laundry in an hour service company work, and we are Service Co., 189th Combat Sustainment Support
working with the locals to make Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, inventories
this mission a success,” he said. a Soldier’s laundry here Feb 18. The 259th is de-
This deployment to Haiti has ployed to Haiti to support the XVIII Airborne Corps
been a great teaching tool, be- and 82nd Airborne Division with shower and laun-
cause the 259th has a lot of dry services. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. A.M. LaVey)
newer Soldiers who have yet to deploy. From the LADS it goes to another
“This is an opportunity to train my tent, where it is re-inventoried, orga-
Soldiers and deploy my equipment,” nized back into the Soldier’s laundry
said Sgt. 1st Class Kumlai Manigault, bag, and then it is ready to be picked up.
a platoon sergeant with the 259th. “I “I like what I do, it’s fun and different,” said
get to know the capabilities and limita- Pvt. Elizabeth Ramirez, a shower/laundry
tions of our Soldiers and equipment.” and clothing repair specialist with the 259th.
“When you have a mission, especially “We do laundry and keep people clean,”
in an austere environment such as this, she said. “When you get exhausted with
you really get to know your people, their this heat and humidity, a fresh shower and
strengths and weaknesses,” said Carlson. clean laundry always makes you feel great.”
“You don’t get to see it until your “This is a good experience and we’re learning
unit faces adversity and challenges.” to interact with the people here outside our
Many Soldiers may not know about field normal work environment,” Ramirez said.
service specialists or what they do here. “Being out in the field will help prepare us
Soldier’s laundry is collected from around for our next mission, even though this mis-
Haiti and brought to LSA Sustainment sion may only be for a short amount of time.”
The laundry is received, inventoried and “We have a really good system going on, and I
An Army shower/laundry and clothing re-
pair specialist with the 259th Field Service
separated into mesh bags, 20 pieces of know this mission will go well,” said Ramirez.
Co., 189th Combat Sustainment Support laundry per bag. The mesh bags are then Even with this type of mission and
Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, coded with the Soldier’s information and the new personnel, the 259th FSC
operates the LADS, a rugged field laun- then sent to be processed in the LADS. is making it happen, helping those
dry machine here Feb. 18. The 259th Each LADS has two drums that can fit 35 who are helping the people of Haiti.
is deployed to Haiti to support the XVIII
Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Divi-
bundles per drum. It takes once hour to “We bring patience, creativity and
sion with shower and laundry services. process a load: washing, two rinse cycles, hard work – and that is what it takes to
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. A.M. LaVey) and then it is dried – all in the same drum. make this mission work,” said Carlson.
4

5. Safety
Spc. Jared Penland, an infantryman with
Co. A, Headquarters and Headquarters
Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, drinks a
bottle of water while on guard shift here
at LSA Dragon. (U.S. Army photo by
Spc. A.M. LaVey / XVIII Airborne Corps)
U.S. Navy Lt. Yonnette Thomas, officer in charge of the Center for Infor-
By Mr Jesse Martin mation Dominance Learning Site in Norfolk translates between Haitian pa-
JTF-H Safety tients and a delegation of visiting physicians from Colombia aboard the hos-
pital ship USNS Comfort. (U.S. Navy photo by Staff Sgt. Loobens Alphonse)
Drink Water.
Haiti has a hot and humid tropical
climate that demands constant hydra-
Colombians assist Haitian relief effort at
tion. Fluid intake should replace fluid intermediate aftercare facility in Port-au-Prince
loss throughout the day. The best way to
prevent heat injuries prevent them from By Sgt. Richard Andrade field, “It is truly a partnership here.
occurring in the first place. When working XVIII Airborne Corps “We have 220 personnel live here, 80 Air
out in the sun, drink five to seven ounces Force medics, 24 Columbians, and 120 navy
of water every 15 to 20 minutes - even if PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Many Hai- master at arms to provide security, he said.
you don’t feel thirsty. tians that suffered injuries during or after Lt. Gen. Keen asked Mansfield about
Dehydration can lead to fatigue, loss of the Jan. 12 earthquake have been taken the level of patients in the hospital
coordination, muscle cramps, heat exhaus- to the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort. Before and he replied, “We had no in-patients
tion, or heat stroke. Heat injuries can and after patients receive care on the ship, last night for the first time in three
cripple or kill you. they are seen by the doctors at an interme- weeks, two weeks ago we had 18 in-
Leaders must ensure new arrivals who diate aftercare facility in Port-au-Prince patients over-night. Things have slowed
have not yet become acclimated to the set up on Jan. 23 by the U.S. air force. down dramatically for the past week.”
heat should be careful about over working Lt. Gen. Ken Keen, commander, Joint “With the pier so close, we provide
or exercising and should stay hydrated. Task Force-Haiti, and Sgt. Maj. Louis M. an invaluable service, making sure
Acclimatization normally occurs in one Espinal, command senior enlisted advisor, the correct people get in and out of
or two weeks. Some Soldiers may take a JTF-H visited the IAF in Port-au-Prince the USNS Comfort,” said Mansfield.
bit longer to acclimate than others. This is that has Colombian army and air force Keen met Columbian Army Lt.
based upon the climate the Soldier came elements and members of the U.S. Army, Col. Ricardo Beltran, who is in
from, and the Soldier’s individual physiol- Air Force, and Navy. Keen met with the charge of the Columbian element.
ogy. doctors and servicemembers who are as- “The Columbian contingent has
The initial symptoms of a heat injury that sisting with the humanitarian aid effort. been in Haiti since Jan. 31., and we
may develop include muscle cramps, diz- The site was established to create a are here as long as it takes to help
ziness, headaches, clumsiness, unsteadi- transitional environment for aftercare these (Haitian) people,” said Beltran.
ness, staggering gait, irritability, vomiting, treatment and rehabilitation of Hai- Columbian army 2nd Lt. Jeovanni Las-
confusion, mumbling, becoming combat- tian patients. The majority of the air- so said “All together we have two from
ive, or passing out, just to name a few. In men are from Travis Air Force Base, CA. the Columbian air force and the rest from
all cases: STOP and rest, cool off, drink U.S. Air Force Col. John Mans- the Columbian army, including three doc-
water and seek medical attention. field 24th Expeditionary Medical Sup- tors, two nurses and eight paramedics.”
The potential for heat injuries is great port (EMEDS) commander gave Keen Columbian air force 2nd Lt. Javier
here in Haiti. From the highest levels of a tour of the 20-bed hospital that of- Andres Ocampo is here to help the Co-
command to each and every Soldier, it’s fers; general surgery, orthopedic sur- lumbian army and the U.S. forces help
everyone’s responsibility to prevent heat gery, gynecology, urology, and pediatrics. the Haitian patients in this hospital.
injuries. Leaders need to keep an eye out “The U.S. Army, Air Force and Co- “The Columbian forces’ mission here is
for the signs of heat injuries and ensure an lumbian forces working together, I’ve to work in conjuction with the U.S. Navy
adequate amount of water is available. never seen that in my career,” said Mans- Continued on page 7
5

6. CONTINUATION “Now that it’s been a month after the di-
Water Divers saster,” said O’Brien, “it’s time to say ‘get
continued from page 1 continued from page 1 a decent supply chain’, because up to now,
all of our supplies have been random dona-
Like most resources, clean drinking water Vertical load stability is needed to ensure tions.”
has been hard to come by after the devas- trucks can move on and off of the pier with- After leaving the medical aid station,
tating earthquake that rocked Haiti Jan. 12. out causing further damage or completely Keen visited another base where the Span-
“When we arrived, there was a rush on destroying it. ish Marines and doctors work.
the well,” he said. The repairs to the pier require a skill set Frigate Capt. Juan Jemgruflot is the ship’s
“We came in, and working with the own- that varies from SCUBA diving to carpen- chief of staff. He gave Keen and Espinal a
ers, restored order so that people can come try. tour of the medical stations.
and get water. The people in the area seem After one team did the assessment another “There are around 250 Marines for secu-
very happy.” went to work cleaning the supports before rity here and some sappers to help with all
While the 82nd’s primary mission is to drilling holes for new rebar cages that the heavy equipment,” said Jemgruflot.
support the JTF-H, the detachment really add stability, while yet another team built When asked if the Marines are used to
enjoys meeting and integrating with the lo- wooden frames that will hold the concrete distribute food, said, “No food, just wa-
cals in their neighborhood, which they do in place while it cures. ter, we have water purification plant and
twice daily when they distribute over 3,000 U.S. Army divers spend a lot of time we distribute water all over the city,” said
gallons of clean drinking water to the com- training so they can handle complex tasks Jemgruflot.
munity. under stressful conditions. “Everyday we coordinate with the local
“When we issue out to the locals, you SFC Tracy Bower, team master diver for authorities, the U.N. and the local com-
feel like you actually have a mission,” said the 544th Dive Team, said, “Army divers munity in order to choose the best spot to
Spc. Melissa Jastram, a water purification have a pretty large mission. deliver water,” said Jemgruflot, “something
specialist with the 82nd. We generally support the Army Corps of like 10,000 liters of water everyday.”
“Issuing out to other servicemembers - Engineers with repair and work in water “We just visited a medical facility that
you feel like we are only supporting our- front facilities like dams and other areas treats over 200 patients a day,” said Keen,
selves, but when we provide for the com- throughout North America and we do also “It is vital that the doctors, the marines and
munity, it really sets in that we are here to travel outside the country. We spend a lot navy work very closely with the civilians in
help them.” of time training, Army divers have to be the area,” said Keen.
“I definitely see this as helping. The work jacks of all trades.” After the visit to the Spanish forces base
that we are doing here make peoples lives The dive school in Panama City, Fla., is a Keen was flown aboard Spanish navy ship,
better by providing them with clean water six month course. The first two months are Castilla, where he was given a tour of the
to drink,” said Spc. Latu Halafihi, also a diving-focused and the next four months ship and met with members of its crew.
water purification specialist with the 82nd. are engineering-focused. “It’s been a real pleasure to see what the
The Fort Lee, Va., based detachment is Working from the USNS Grasp, a Navy Spanish marines and navy are doing here
working with the local owners and opera- vessel with a civilian Merchant Marine and it is a great honor to able to see what
tors to pull raw water up from the well, crew, the 544th divers rarely set foot on impact they are making in the city of Petit-
push it through the Army’s reverse osmosis land. They sleep on the ship, ride to the Goave,” said Keen.
water purification unit which filters sedi- pier on Zodiac boats, and get to work in the
ment and debris and then purifies it making polluted waters of the seaport here in Port- Coast Guard
it safe to drink. au-Prince. The hours are long, the bacteria continued from page 2
The trailer-based ROWPU system is a levels in the water are high, and falling de-
self-contained water treatment plant and bris can make the work very dangerous. PSU 307 has been upgrading beds, provid-
can produce potable water from any wa- These U.S. Army divers will be out of ing medical care and spending time inter-
ter source; and at maximum capacity can sight under the pier working to open this acting with the children at the orphanage
purify 3,000 gallons of water per hour and seaport so more supplies can be delivered in addition to their Coast Guard assigned
provide up to 20,000 gallons of water per until they complete the mission. duties. They will be providing generators,
day. repairing plumbing and adding fans to pro-
The Soldiers here “are exceeding the stan- vide indoor ventilation.
dard. They got here, they knew what their Spanish forces “Just the smile on the kids’ faces when we
mission was and they have been perform- continued from page 2 pulled up made it worthwhile. I mean, it’s
ing excellently”, said Latham. the reason why we are here, to help these
“I love my job and I love what we are do- O’Brien, “but after the disaster, everyone people recover from this horrific event,”
ing here,” said Latham. As Soldiers, “we’ve started sending all sorts of resources, and a said Baynes.
got a big piece of the pie and we are here small organization like this just didn’t have
helping these people out. We really are do- an administrative infrastructure to handle
ing our piece, one gallon at a time.” that influx.”
6

7. AMC
CONTINUATION Colombians patients from the comfort,” she said, “We
continued from page 3 continued from page 5 arrange for patients’ further care, by tak-
Additionally, AMC Airmen air deliv- and air force to help the patients affected by ing them to a non governmental organiza-
ered more than 246,000 pounds of criti- earthquake that struck Haiti,” said Ocampo. tion, or another hospital, or to take them
cal supplies such as water and MRE’s “The patients that we care for are ini- home if they are well enough to go home.”
through four missions using five aircraft. tially treated at the USNS Comfort, af- “This hospital is tri-service, the navy
"This has been one of the most reward- ter that, they are brought here via he- provides security, the air force provides
ing experiences of my life," said Col. Pat- licopter or by ship,” said Ocampo. the majority of the medical care here, and
rick Hollrah, the commander of the Joint U.S. Air Force Col. Mary Pelszynski, the army provides fuel,” said Pelszynski.
Task Force-Port Opening air element in the 59th Maternal/Child Care Squadron Another mission that the hospital provides
Haiti. "For the first couple weeks, this commander said that the air force contin- is that they are now going to some of the
airport was the main hub of humanitarian gency is from multiple locations in the U.S. NGO’s to provide humitarian assistance.
relief coming into Haiti. The 120 Airmen “We have air force personnel from “The navy and air force provide trans-
and 50 Soldiers I had the pleasure of serv- McDill, Travis, Coney, Shaw and Scott lators and we also have ministry of
ing with here were the difference between Air Force bases,” said Pelszynski. health representative to help us to place
supplies sitting at the airport and sup- When asked about the hospital’s mission all of the patients,” Pelszynski said.
plies flowing out to the people who need here Pelszynski said, “We have several The IAF is helping the USNS Com-
them. They made a visible impact on this missions here, our main mission is to sup fort continue the mission of provid-
operation, and they can go home proud port the USNS Comfort, we are the only ing aid and to let the Haitian peo-
of what they were able to accomplish." entry into the Comfort, and we also bring ple heal physically and emotionally.
In case you have been wondering...
Financial entitlements for those supporting Operation United Response
As of Jan. 22, 2010 /Courtesy Army G-1
7

8. POSTCARD FROM HAITI
Naptime
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- U.S. Air Force Col. Todd Wall, a C-17 pilot with the 817th Contingency Re-
sponse Group, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., holds a Haitian baby for a mother who fell asleep from exhaus-
tion at Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Alvin Johnson)
JTF-H gets new menu
Lt. Col. John ‘Jay’ Boyd
20th Military History Detachment
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Logistics Support
Area Dragon moved from one-star to two-star din-
ing on Feb. 17 with the arrival of cereal packs and
other delicious alternatives to the Meal Ready-to-
Eat.
Indeed the much maligned and misunderstood
veggie burger, along with its evil twin the vegetable
lasagna, were quickly jettisoned in favor of the
newly arrived taste treats.
A popular item is also the hot soup kit, a ‘trend
-setting’ perfect fit for sunny Haitian afternoons in
which the temperature usually goes into the 90s!
U.S. Army Spc. Sabine Osirus, a human resources specialist with the
That said – the veggie burger has certainly met its J-1 casualty liasion team, 14th Human Resources Sustainment Cen-
match in variety and taste. ter, attached to the XVIII Airborne Corps, enjoys yummy hot soup
Truly Joint Task Force-Haiti continues its march with Chief Warrant Officer 2 Enny Wade, a human resources techni-
towards transition! cian with the J-1 strength management division, also with the 14th
Bon Appetit!! HRSC. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. John ‘Jay’ Boyd/20th MHD)