America's North Shore Journal

Did you know that the U.S. Army still has veterinary services units? While they provide health care for working dogs and other animals used by the Army, their primary role is sanitation. They assure that the latrines are sited correctly and safely, that the water supply is pure, and that the local bugs aren’t too numerous.

In another bay, Charlene, who is five, hugs a teddy bear she received when she got to the ship. She has a bandage on her left foot, but medics are concerned about her sight. Navy Dr. (Capt.) Terence McGee places eye drops in to dilate her pupils. She is a brave young lady as the doctor looks in her eyes. When he finishes the examination, she begins to cry so he picks her up. He asks if she has an escort – her mom or dad – and is told no.

“Five years old and alone,” he says, and continues to rock her back and forth.

Howard said he has prepared his crew to be in Haiti until directed otherwise. “As more arms and legs are needed we have an entire crew that is excited to help.”

This is a personal mission for several crew members who are of Haitian descent, he added. They are continuing the mission in spite of losing family members and having a personal tie to Haiti.

Approximately 125 Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit came ashore near Leogane, Haiti today beginning relief operations in a pasture that is now being used as a landing zone for helicopters loaded with supplies.

The Marines launched from the USS Bataan aboard CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopters and UH-1N Hueys, aircraft that are part of the MEU’s Aviation Combat Element, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced).

As of 1100 hours local time on January 18, the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) reported that U.S. urban search and rescue (USAR) teams had rescued approximately 40 individuals from collapsed buildings, including one girl two years of age this morning. On January 17, USAR teams rescued 12 people, including three children between the ages of three and seven. To date, international USAR teams have rescued more than 70 individuals throughout Port-au-Prince, an unprecedented tally for a five-day USAR operation.

“Someone got a hold of our international desk which is our world headquarters which we’re in touch with every hour,” said Gupta. “They said there was an urgent call from the Carl Vinson. So I put a call in to them and there was something about a head injury. I initially spoke to Doctor Berndt and she explained the situation.”

As the hospital ship USNS Comfort continues its race south to Haiti, sailors aboard the vessel race to get the facilities ready for the expected patients.

The Comfort, bulling its way through stormy seas, will receive another 350 medical personnel and support staff when it reaches the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, Navy Capt. (Dr.) Jim Ware, commander of the medical treatment facility. This, he explained, will allow the staff to double the number of operating rooms.

An Air Station Clearwater, Fla., helicopter crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma assisted in the delivery of a male Haitian newborn on the cutter Saturday afternoon. A pregnant Haitian citizen went into labor on the flight deck as the helicopter was refueling aboard the cutter.