USS PONCE (AFSB-I)

Team,
Earlier this month USS PONCE (AFSB-I) got underway on a historic deployment as our first-ever Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB). The timeline of this deployment is remarkable when you consider that just six months ago she finished her “final” operational deployment and was on schedule to be decommissioned. From the moment we received the order to execute, our shipyard workers and staffs at MSC, NAVSEA, and CNSL (and later, the PONCE crew) worked around the clock to complete the maintenance and refurbishments necessary for her new missions. We went from zero-to-complete in just three months – a remarkable feat for an unplanned and very significant overhaul of a 42-year old ship.

Having recently commemorated (and written about) the Battle of Midway, I am reminded of the herculean effort from the Pearl Harbor shipyard workers to get the USS YORKSTOWN (CV 5) turned around after the Battle of Coral Sea and back into the fight at Midway. YORKTOWN was hit hard at Coral Sea and initial estimates were that it would take three months to return her to service…ADM Nimitz needed her back in the fight in just three days. Our Naval engineers and shipyard workers at Pearl Harbor worked around the clock to make the necessary repairs and three days later she got underway from Pearl Harbor just in time to join Task Force 16 in the Battle of Midway – the turning point of the war in the Pacific.

Just like the men and women at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in 1942, our PONCE teams worked together to overcome many significant challenges (technical and bureaucratic) to fix her and send her back to the fight on a very tight timeline. I could not be more pleased with the hard work and commitment we received from all involved. PONCE and her crew will soon arrive on station, ready for tasking. All the best, JCHjr

Corrosion Control Assist Team (CCAT)

Team,
On Tuesday, I visited USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL (DDG 81) to observe the Corrosion Control Assist Team (CCAT) in action. The CCAT is a joint NAVSEA and Fleet initiative created to educate and assist Fleet Sailors in ship preservation and corrosion control. The team conducts training and brings expertise, tools and new technology to our ships during an intensive corrosion control and prevention visit.

My visit was led by BMC Anthony Pici and from the very beginning it was evident to me that his team has complete ownership (read: control) of the problem. BMC Pici has engaged the entire ship and created a “Damage Control-like” environment in which every member of the crew is responsible for some aspect of corrosion control and prevention, just like every member of the crew is expected to have fundamental DC skills. His Corrosion Control Tiger Team shares the knowledge, tactics and techniques they learned from the CCAT to ensure every Sailor on the ship is capable of contributing to the fight against corrosion. I was very encouraged by the work being done by BMC Pici and his team and look forward to a future update.

The retired BMCM who led the CCAT gave me a terrific walk-around pointing out the many things done in construction, material selection, etc that add significantly to every ship’s corrosion problems. There are many things we can do differently to help ourselves and our Sailors – we’re going to get after them.

In addition to my discussions with the crew of CHURCHILL, I received feedback from the crew of USS LABOON – another one of our ships whose crew benefited from the CCAT training. LABOON’s crew provided the following best practices that have been particularly useful in their fight against corrosion:

• Created a 10-person Corrosion Control Division (CCD) in support of an initial Corrosion Control Assistance Team (CCAT) visit. Based on the success achieved, CCD became a permanent organization onboard.
• CCD conducts topside preservation and attends training on corrosion control procedures; during inclement weather their focus shifts to fan rooms, castleways, bilges and interior spaces. CCD is responsible for managing the paint locker and corrosion control tool issue.
• Members of CCD are volunteers and are "IA'd" from their division; they report permanently to CCD and have no PMS, DCPO, admin or other responsibilities with their former divisions. CCD personnel conduct preservation inport and underway and are in a duty free status during the period of their assignment.
• A junior officer (LTJG, SWO qualified) provides day-to-day supervision and addresses admin responsibilities.
• Length of assignment lasts approximately 3 months, at which time CCD personnel turn over with a trained replacement. Outgoing CCD personnel return to their former division to share and inculcate corrosion control best practices within their division.

The photos of CHURCHILL (provided below) illustrate why our corrosion control efforts are so important. Corrosion is one of our greatest challenges to operational readiness and significantly impacts our ability to achieve the expected service life of our ships. The good news is we’ve learned a lot over the years about how to effectively fight and control it. The bad news is there is work for us all in this fight and that certainly includes me (one team, one fight!).

During my visit to CHURCHILL, I asked BMC Pici what I needed to know that I didn’t know and what he needed me to do; after some hesitation, BMC Pici looked me in the eye and said he needed paint floats and that there weren’t any available. I was really stunned by BMC Pici’s answer. As I quickly reflected on my days in command (in Long Beach and Norfolk), paint floats were never an issue. What the hell happened? Well, I don’t know yet what happened, but I do know that Chief Pici was ABSOLUTELY RIGHT – we’re down to two (that’s right, two) paint floats at NAVSTA NORFOLK. I’m on it – RADM Dave Thomas, CNSL, and I are going to fix this as soon as we can.

I will also ensure the necessary scaffolding and staging are installed at the beginning of all CMAVs and CNO avails to give our Sailors access to hard-to-reach areas. I’ll do my part to give you the resources you need, but it’s going to take a consistent and steady effort from all hands on deck to win this fight.

Thanks again to the crews of USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL and USS LABOON for taking the time to share their best practices and show us how they get it done every day.
All the best, JCHjr

USS PONCE (LPD 15) – “Proud Lion”

Team,

Yesterday I paid a surprise visit to the USS PONCE, a tough-as-nails ship with an even tougher crew. PONCE is one of our Navy’s oldest active ships (commissioned in 1971) and had actually begun decommissioning preps before being recalled last year for one more deployment.

She got underway in August (of last year) and recently completed her 9-month deployment to the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean where she conducted maritime and theater security operations, which included no-notice tasking to support Operation ODYSSEY DAWN (Libya Ops).

There was certainly no shortage of challenges on this deployment (we talked about them here and here), but her crew pulled together as a team, stayed focused on their mission and executed without missing a beat.

With her final deployment in the history books, the “Proud Lion” will now (once again) begin her final journey to decommissioning. And while her last deployment was no “walk in the park,” I’m quite certain there could not have been a finer crew to get the job done, bring her home and carry on the proud legacy of all those who have served on PONCE before them.

I’m very glad I had the chance to walk this ship with the CO, get into the spaces with the CHENG and meet some really great “get ‘er done” Sailors.

Well done!

All the best, JCHjr



E. coli outbreak in Germany

Team,
If you have been following the news then you are aware of the Escherichia coli, commonly referred to as E. coli, outbreak in Germany. E. Coli are bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract of animals including humans. Most types of E. coli are harmless; however, some strains can cause fatal illness by producing toxins which can result in serious kidney complications. Since early May, the German outbreak caused 39 deaths and sickened over 3,517 people, 839 of them with life-threatening kidney disease.

German authorities initially believed that cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce were the sources of the outbreak. Our DoD’s executive agent for subsistence, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support, quickly removed these items from the European subsistence prime vendor contract while SIXTH Fleet immediately issued a message directing all activities in theater to either discard or properly disinfect all cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce with chlorine or an appropriate sanitizer. Further, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) issued a “Food Flash” to all afloat and ashore galleys advising food service officers of the problem and reiterating the direction in the SIXTH Fleet message to ensure ALCON were aware of the situation and taking the necessary precautions to prevent infection of U.S. personnel.

By 10 June, German authorities revised their assessment by identifying bean sprouts as the root cause for the E. Coli outbreak. Military food service activities were not at risk because DoD approved sources for bean sprouts do not include Germany. Again, SIXTH Fleet and NAVSUP notified all activities of the suspected E. Coli source and DLA Troop Support returned cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce to the subsistence prime vendor contract.

Keeping our military food safe for consumption is a critically important task since an outbreak of food borne illness can cripple a deployed ship or unit. Interestingly, since food borne diseases are animal related, the Army Veterinary Corps provides food safety and security inspections for all the Armed Services. The Army Veterinary Corps works closely with U.S. and foreign public health activities to ensure our military global subsistence supply chain is providing safe food to the warfighter.

I was very impressed with the manner in which our teams at the DLA Troop Support, NAVSUP and SIXTH Fleet rapidly responded and took control of the supply lines to protect our Service members, Civilians and their families from this very serious outbreak. I wanted to share this story with you because it is a great example of what our Sailors, Civilians, and military support organizations do every day for our Navy – but whose hard work is rarely publicly recognized.
All the best, JCHjr

Visit to Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF GTMO)

Team,
Recently, I spent a day with our Sailors who are inside the wire supporting Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF GTMO) in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. JTF GTMO is the task force that provides the care and custody of detained enemy combatants.

Thanks to the Assistant Officer-in-Charge
of Camp VI for a very useful visit and
discussion

JTF GTMO has three supporting components: The Headquarters Element; Joint Medical Group; and the Joint Detention Group. Our Navy has Sailors deployed as Individual Augmentees (IAs) supporting each component with the majority conducting detainee ops in the Joint Detention Group.

The Joint Detention Group (JDG) is the guard force component of JTF GTMO comprised of Sailors and Soldiers responsible for detainee ops. The Sailors in the JDG are IAs from our Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion (NEGB) who provide “safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody” of the detainees they oversee. These Sailors come from a variety of Navy career fields, but all go through five weeks of training conducted by subject matter experts to learn the skills needed for guard duty and become familiar with the latest tactics used by detainees. Upon arriving for duty at the camp, they undergo an additional two weeks of on-the-job turnover with the Sailors they are replacing.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to observe and talk with our Sailors about their jobs and the many challenges they face and work through every day.  I was very pleased to see how they filter out the “noise” from working in such a controversial location and instead stay focused on executing their mission every day. And I can assure you, there is not a more difficult mission in our Navy right now.

Talking with our Sailors about some of the issues unique
 to an Individual Augmentee assigned to JTF GTMO

There is nothing that can fully prepare our Sailors for all of the unique experiences they encounter during their tour at GTMO. Every day they come face-to-face with individuals who hate them and everything they represent. Detainees employ a range of tactics in an attempt to disrupt the flow of daily operations, reduce morale in the camps, and physically and mentally manipulate the guards. Yet our Sailors exercise proper restraint and stick to the strict operating procedures of the camp - they are true professionals. I want to underscore the importance of our Sailors’ professional conduct because I believe it directly contributes to our credibility around the world. Many of these detainees are being held for planning and/or carrying out terrorist activities against our nation. Our Sailors at GTMO are well aware of this fact, yet they still carry out their duties every day with remarkable discipline.

Overall, I was extremely impressed by the Sailors I had the opportunity to meet and talk with. They clearly understand the importance of their mission and take their jobs very seriously. I appreciate the time they gave me and the very candid conversations we had…I’ve already started taking action on the issues we discussed.

Getting the gouge from our Sailors over a good meal

Bottom-line - These are great Sailors doing a damn difficult job extremely well. I couldn't be more proud of them. All the best, JCHjr

Our Global Navy

Team,
Whenever I think about our Navy and what we deliver for our nation, the same three words always come to mind – READY, RESPONSIVE, and RELEVANT. Recent events in Libya demonstrate the fundamental truth of those words.

With very little advance notice, our ships and aircraft were placed in position to deliver effects ashore in support of our national objectives, from Tomahawk strikes to knock down the Libyan air defense network to launching the quick reaction TRAP mission from KEARSARGE to rescue downed aviators.

At the very same time, half a world away, the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet is leading the effort delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief to Japan in response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami as well as providing assistance in recovering from the nuclear accidents that occurred in the wake of the natural disasters. The same words apply in relief efforts for Japan – our naval forces were READY, RESPONSIVE, and RELEVANT.

The types of ships we’re using for those vastly different missions are very similar – Amphibious Ready Groups with embarked Marine forces, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers capable of launching Tomahawks or helos with food and water, and MSC ships supplying the logistics support to keep our ships at sea indefinitely. Built into our ships is the flexibility and agility to respond to a wide variety of missions enabled by the fundamental fact that our Navy is truly expeditionary and routinely forward-deployed around the globe.

Think about what else is going on in addition to Operation ODYSSEY DAWN and Operation TOMODACHI – we have two Carrier Strike Groups in the NAVCENT AOR supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, our SSBN force is deployed to the Atlantic and Pacific conducting strategic nuclear deterrent patrols (as they have for over 50 years), USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7) is deployed in support of PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2011 to sustain our strategic relationships with a host of nations in the South and South West Pacific Ocean areas, USS STEPHEN W. GROVES (FFG 29) and USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49) are deployed in support of Africa Partnership Station and the USNS COMFORT will soon depart Norfolk in support of Operation CONTINUING PROMISE to conduct a wide array of humanitarian operations and partner capacity building exercises throughout Central and South America.

Our Navy – a global force, routinely forward-deployed and inherently expeditionary – executing the key tenets of our Maritime Strategy every day.

Our Navy – a READY, RESPONSIVE, and RELEVANT force – able to operate across the spectrum of conflict because of the professionalism, initiative and quality of our PEOPLE.

And now our challenge – sustaining this expeditionary capability to respond globally, rapidly and effectively to whatever mission comes our way. We must ensure our ships, submarines and aircraft are well-maintained, our magazines and parts lockers are full, and our Sailors are well-trained despite the nation’s ongoing fiscal crisis and the inevitable impact this crisis will have on our operations and maintenance funding over the next three years.

Just as our Sailors and our forces are up to the missions they’ve been given, so must we be up to the challenge to sustain our Navy into the future and ensure we remain READY, RESPONSIVE, and RELEVANT in this chaotic and violent world.
All the best, JCHjr

Navy Elevated Causeway System - Modular (ELCAS-M)

Team,

Last January I talked about the Navy Logistics Over-the-Shore (NLOTS) mission we were executing in Haiti. I was very impressed with how quickly our Sailors were able to get the Navy lighterage system in place and fully operational to deliver much needed supplies to the Haitian people. You can read what I wrote about LOTS in Haiti here and here, and see a Power Point overview of our LOTS mission here.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Beach Group 2 and Expeditionary Support Logistics Group to observe our Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalions 1 & 2 constructing a 500-foot Elevated Causeway System – Modular (ELCAS-M). The ELCAS-M is one of our core systems used to support our Navy LOTS mission. There is a video of the visit here.

The ELCAS-M is essentially a mobile pier system that can be shipped to any location in the world and assembled within days of arriving. A fully functional ELCAS-M is equipped with full-size cranes that offload equipment from vessels (such as the Navy lighterage system) onto vehicles that move the cargo ashore. It can be used to support a wide range of operations – from wartime missions where large quantities of equipment need to be moved ashore to humanitarian missions where an entire port has been destroyed by a natural disaster.

The ELCAS-M may not be widely-known, but it provides our forces with a unique capability that is unmatched by any other nation. And it is a critical part of our LOTS mission and our Sea Basing strategy. The ability of our Sailors to deliver and assemble a massive portable, improvised pier thousands of miles away from their homeport emphasizes my belief that Sea Basing is not a future concept that we should be planning for; rather, it is here and it is now – it is something our Sailors have been doing for many years. And no one does it better than our Sailors. This capability truly is a key element of what makes our Navy an effective, global force.

Altogether, the exercise at Little Creek involved over 200 Sailors, alternating 12-hour shifts for a total of 60,000 man-hours and 13 days to complete the 750-foot causeway. I believe exercises like this are critically important because they give our Sailors an understanding of their job that can only be gained through a hands-on practical experience. And most importantly they provide lessons learned that we can evaluate to improve future performance.

I was very impressed by our Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalions 1 & 2 and what I saw them do building the ELCAS-M, ready to deliver the goods in just 9 days.
All the best, JCHjr

E-2D Roll-out Ceremony

Team,

Last Thursday I attended a ceremony for the rollout of our Navy’s first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The Advanced Hawkeye is our Navy’s latest version and fourth iteration of the E-2 Hawkeye – a carrier-based, multi-mission, all-weather airborne early warning and command and control aircraft. The E-2 has been the “eyes of the fleet” since it first entered service in 1964; and while the physical characteristics of the airframe have changed very little over the past 50 years, the E-2D features a complete upgrade to the communications and avionics systems that vastly expand the Hawkeye’s capabilities.

One such improvement, and probably the most distinctive feature of the E-2D, is the 24-foot rotodome (antenna) attached to the top of the aircraft. The rotodome does not get many points for style, but it is one of the most important components on the airplane as it now provides our flight operators with a continuous 360-degree scanning capability and the ability to focus in on specific areas of interest.

The APY-9 is the E-2D’s primary sensor and probably the most sophisticated system on the aircraft. It has a surveillance range 250% larger than the E-2C. This state-of-the-art radar provides surface detection up to 200 miles and air detection beyond 250 miles from the surface to 10,000 feet. These enhancements allow the E-2D to assume a range of new missions from blue water surveillance to providing theatre air and missile defense in the littorals (it’s the first aircraft to detect cruise missiles launched from land), and battle management and control over land.

The new Advanced Hawkeye was delivered to Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWO ZERO (VAW 120) where the “Greyhawks” will now learn more about the aircraft to unlock its true potential before training other Sailors to fly and operate the new equipment.

Although the journey has just begun and there is still much to learn, this is a great moment for naval aviation that we can all be proud of. The E-2D is a real game changer for our Navy; indeed, there’s no doubt about it.

All the best, JCHjr

Fleet Operations - Serial 007

Team,

I am transmitting my final Serial - Fleet Operations - after a year in command. This Serial is built upon our work together over the past year and puts our focus squarely on the DISCIPLINED EXECUTION OF FLEET OPERATIONS.

To remind, my Guidance reflects what I learned from you during my first six months in command. The Serials direct the actions we must take to adjust Fleet operations and behaviors in order to deliver forces ready for tasking. Our forces are ready for tasking if, and only if, they are able to effectively employ their combat systems to the limit of their designed capability and sustain that effective employment for the entire duration of the deployment.

Disciplined execution will be required to provide ready forces today and sustain today's Fleet into the future. We've got the 80% solution for many of the issues before us -- so now it's time to move out, ensure vigorous follow-up, and adjust course as necessary on the final approach to station.

I have great confidence in you and in the Sailors and Navy civilians we are honored and privileged to lead. I look forward to continue to work alongside you to overcome the challenges ahead and keep our Fleet the global, responsive and relevant force it is today. One Team - One Fight!

All the best, JCHjr

TACAMO Training Mission

Team,

Back in April I visited the TACAMO Air Wing based out of Tinker Air Force base in Oklahoma and wrote about them here. Last week I had the opportunity to join them on a live training mission. It was, simply put, a very rewarding and educational experience. I was very impressed with the cohesion of this well-trained and disciplined team. Each of our Sailors on-board knew their job very well and executed superbly.

The first mission I observed was emergency message transmission. In the event of a national security emergency, TACAMO provides a survivable communications relay between our nation’s decision makers and our nuclear delivery systems. One of the ways TACAMO communicates with our submerged submarines is through a very-low-frequency (VLF) dual trailing wire antenna system. This antenna wire provides the aircraft with the ability to transmit one-way emergency messages. The antenna is a very long wire (thousands of feet) that is released, controlled and monitored by two reel operators while in flight. When deployed, the antenna trails behind and below the aircraft which must be flown fly in a sharp, circular orbit to allow it to hang as vertically as possible to enhance signal transmission. Depending on the mission, the aircraft may have to do this for hours. I observed the crew release the wire, enter the pattern and transmit a test message.

The picture to the right is a tv console on board that the operators use to monitor the wire. At the end of the wire is a drogue, which creates drag that keeps the wire fully extended and steady.

The second mission I observed was a mid-air refueling from an Air Force KC-10 tanker. I cannot say enough about the flying skill that is required from our aviators to make this happen. I think the pictures below tell the story best for this one.
I was once again impressed with our TACAMO Sailors and really enjoyed the opportunity to ride with them and observe first-hand these outstanding professionals at work. 
All the best, JCHjr

Operation Unified Response Update

Team,

I escaped the winter weather in Norfolk and I’m now visiting with the Sailors of the BATAAN ARG and USNS COMFORT supporting the joint force relief effort in Haiti.  I’ll have some great stories and pictures for you of what our Sailors are doing when I get back.

In my last update, I mentioned our Logistics Over-the-Shore (LOTS) capability which is providing a much needed lighterage system until Haiti’s seaport is rebuilt. 

Right now, we have 28 US ships on station, underway, or preparing to get underway in support of OPERATION UNIFIED RESPONSE.  As you can see from the Force Laydown slide, we are joined by ships from many other nations.  The importance of building partnerships and executing our maritime strategy has paid great dividends in developing this multinational response.

Finally, I want to leave you with another update from Captain Dom DeScisciolo (CO, USS BUNKER HILL) -- another great story you probably won’t hear on the news of U.S. Navy Sailors making it happen.    All the best, JCHjr.

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The little town we provided relief for today (Picmi, on the southeast coast of La Gonave) had actually written "SOS" in the sand (picture attached).  Ops had flagged down a helo and gone up for her daily 'aerial recon' the other day and thought she saw the letters while she was taking pictures.  When she got back and we looked at the photos - sure enough, it was there!  We sent in our survey team this morning and found nearly 2,000 residents with no food or water.  Plus we were the FIRST assistance they'd seen since the earthquake 17 days ago.

We began our by now trademark water-and-food shuttle with the RHIBs, and we ended up providing nearly 2,000 meals (MREs) and 400 gal water before wrapping up at sunset.  No medevacs today, but HMC and his team still provided care for over 200 persons (mostly children).  All in all a good day.  And all from an "SOS" in the sand...

Our 6th town in 8 days... V/R Dom

Operation Unified Response Update

Team,

I wanted to provide you another update on our Navy’s efforts in Haiti.  Our Sailors continue to make an extraordinary contribution to the relief efforts and I continue to be impressed with their flexibility and willingness to help in anyway they can. 

For example, the crew of USS HIGGINS had just finished a 6 month round the world deployment and was en route to their homeport in San Diego transiting the Caribbean when the earthquake struck.  USS HIGGINS immediately diverted to help the people of Haiti and was the first Navy ship on station.

Overall, the response of our Navy continues to be rapid and effective.  Since my last post, we have established a Joint Logistics Hub in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and our Sea Base is providing aid by helo and LCAC to remote locations currently inaccessible any other way due to the significant damage to Haiti’s infrastructure.  We’ve also provided a field hospital ashore to improve effective patient flow to our afloat operating rooms.

One capability we are bringing to bear that I find particularly interesting is our Navy Logistics Over-The-Shore (LOTS).  With the damage to Haiti’s port, the investments in Military Sealift Command’s NLOTS are proving invaluable.  With the maritime prepositioning ship, USNS 1ST LT. JACK LUMMUS (T-AK-3011), we are able to transfer large construction equipment and up to 200 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) per day ashore (roughly half the capacity of Haiti’s port in Port-Au-Prince before the earthquake).  Over the coming weeks, USNS LUMMUS will be joined by the CAPE MARY, GOPHER STATE, CORNHUSKER STATE, and PETERSBURG – which will increase our TEU capacity to 1500 per day and offshore petroleum discharge capacity to 300,000 gallons per day.  If you are interested, I have posted a LOTS overview here.  Our Logistics Hub at GTMO, our Sea Base, and our LOTS are all impressive capabilities our Navy has established in Haiti and have greatly relieved the significant pressure on Haiti’s airport, seaport, and hospitals.

One final note, I received the below email from Captain Dominic DeScisciolo.  Dom was one of my former Department Heads when I was the CO of USS CAPE ST. GEORGE and is currently the CO of USS BUNKER HILL (CG-52).  Dom’s email is a great representation of “a day in the life” of our ships and what is being accomplished everyday by our Sailors.

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We are on our fourth town since last week. As you know, we began on the southwest coast of La Gonave at Point-a-Raquettes. We have since distributed relief aid to Anse-a-Galets, La Source, and Gros Mangle on the northwest coast of La Gonave. All of the towns mentioned, if not affected directly by the earthquake, are feeling some sort of indirect need due to the internally displaced people (IDPs) and the disruption of normal supply lines from Port Au Prince. And we've been figuring it out and getting more effective and efficient at delivering relief as we go along. The system goes something like this:

My Ops Boss arranges for a helo flight and takes picture after picture of potential communities in need, ingress and egress points, distribution areas, landing zones, places to access via RHIB and where to moor on the shore. Myself, my XO, CMC, DH's, Chaps, and HMC huddle up that evening and review the photos Ops took that day. We practice the art of the possible in determining where we will put folks ashore and what we could potentially accomplish based on the size of the town, location, natural features, whether there are NGO contacts (like our Fr. Roosevelt from the first town) we could exploit to our advantage, etc.

The next morning I position the ship as close to shore as possible. Due to the lack of sufficient charts in this area, we're being forced to get close to the beach in support of RHIB ops by sight, feel, and fathometer - which can get pretty sporty. Cheng then leads my two RHIBs ashore for a detailed eyes-on survey of the town, scouts out the most suitable LZ, and establishes a security perimeter manned by my Weapons Officer and his team. We then work with the town 'elders' through a combination of translators and our Chaplain, to set up the food and water distribution points. My HMC and his assistants go right to work in the town "clinic" (usually a thatch-roofed affair under a palm tree). The worst medical cases we arrange for medevac. They usually include the IDP's that have sought refuge here on La Gonave from Port-Au-Prince. By around noontime food, water and medicine start flowing in from the ship via RHIB and helo (if avail; we don't have our own embarked helo det - we've been begging helos each day from air ops on the CSG staff) and gets handed out like an assembly line. We can usually get about 2,000 individual meals and about 1,000 gal of water in to the beach each day before we have to wrap up near sunset. We have been averaging 1-2 days per town to try to bring them up to a 'pre-earthquake condition' in terms of food, water, and medical care. We are beginning to see a decline in injuries directly attributed to the quake or its aftermath. We are now seeing more injuries and illnesses that are in keeping with the generally low standard of living, malnutrition, and poverty that prevails in this country.

Anyway - just wanted to give you a glimpse of our day-to-day existence since my last e-mail. No end in sight just yet. But morale is SKY-HIGH and we're happy to keep perfecting our "system" for the time being.

V/r,

Dom

Operation Unified Response

Team,

I wanted to provide an update on our current relief efforts in Haiti.  From the first news report, we sent all available ships, aircraft, and Sailors to help the people of Haiti.  We have set up a webpage dedicated to the Haiti relief effort and will continue to add more information over the coming days.  You can get to it by clicking here.

I could not be more proud of our Sailors who acted on the first report, leaned forward, and were able to get their ships underway quickly to be a part of our Nation’s relief efforts.  Many of our Sailors deployed on a moment’s notice without a known end date. I am also very mindful of the burden we’ve placed on their families and appreciate their sacrifices as we act to provide this disaster relief.

We’ve done this before - humanitarian assistance / disaster relief is one of our core capabilities.  We prepare for this, we practice for this, we're ready for this, and we are moving out.  But that doesn’t mean that there are no more good ideas.  I ask that you give thought to the situation and post your ideas on how we can better support our Sailors, their families, and the people of Haiti.  It’s going to take a very long time for Haiti to recover from this disaster.  Navy is already looking at long-term solutions to ensure we are able to sustain our efforts until they are no longer required.  All the best, JCHjr