More than 70 crew members of Patrol Squadron 4, currently on deployment in Okinawa, Japan, arrived at Naval Air Facility Misawa, March 16, to better assist with Japanese relief efforts.

The squadron repositioned their relief efforts in the wake of the recent 9.0-magnitude earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami on Japan’s eastern seaboard.

The Hawaii-based squadron initially provided its efforts from Kadena Air Base, but the transition to NAFM will increase the Squadron’s time on site and reduce time in transit.

They will provide two aircraft and four combat aircrews rotating daily from NAFM, providing search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The repositioning, according to Cmdr. Kevin Long, executive officer of Patrol Squadron 4, could not have come soon enough.

“This is where we need to be,” he said. “Being on site for longer periods of time will allow us to do a more thorough search. Transiting from Kadena to the devastated areas required a total of six hours en route, coming here will dramatically decrease that.”

Long said he and his crew are prepared and ready for the missions ahead and are looking forward to cooperating with NAFM as they combine their resources to aid Japan’s recovery efforts in any way possible.

“Our guys are ready on arrival,” he added. “We are bringing a lot of support and are willing to provide assistance where needed.”

Lt. Matty Welch, a pilot assigned to Patrol Squadron 4, flew on one of the search-and-rescue missions when the squadron was operating from Kadena Air Base. He said he is happy they are in Misawa because from what he saw, the increased time on site they will gain from being in Misawa is needed.

“It is hard to describe the destruction,” he said. “Being here is going to be a huge benefit for us. “We are looking forward to the missions we will conduct out of NAFM and helping with the relief efforts from this vantage point.”

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Army Maj. David J. Coates of South Jordan, Utah, and dentist with Utah Army National Guard, along with a Moroccan military dentist, examines the tooth of a Moroccan child. Thirty eight U.S. and 46 Moroccan military personnel, and nine civilian medical professionals provided medical, dental and veterinarian care to more than 600 Moroccans from here and surrounding communities during Exercise AFRICAN LION 2009. This humanitarian assistance is just one of five being conducted in different communities throughout Morocco and runs concurrent with the bilateral military training. Photo by Master Sgt. Grady Fontana

More than 600 Moroccans from here and surrounding villages converged for humanitarian assistance being offered by U.S. and Moroccan service members participating in Exercise AFRICAN LION 2009.

Thirty eight U.S. and 46 Moroccan military personnel, and nine civilian medical professionals provided medical, dental and veterinarian care to all who showed up.

The majority of U.S. service members were from the Utah National Guard, state partner to Morocco under the National Guard State Partnership Program, although, care was also provided by 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group. This humanitarian assistance is just one of five being conducted in different communities throughout Morocco and runs concurrent with the bilateral military training.

The medical and dental care was conducted at the Omar El Khayam primary school, as classrooms were converted to patient rooms and hallways into waiting rooms. The school entrance was plastered with people waiting for a chance to receive medical or dental services.

Army Col. Peter P. Taillac, physician, Utah Medical Command, Utah Army National Guard, and Salt Lake City native, examines the back of a Moroccan woman during Exercise AFRICAN LION 2009. Photo by Master Sgt. Grady Fontana

“We have specialists from several fields here including gynecology, cardiology, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics and ophthalmology,” said Army Col. Peter P. Taillac, physician, Utah Medical Command, Utah Army National Guard. “So we’re seeing a broad spectrum of cases.”

Hundreds of Moroccans, mostly women and children, waited long lines for a chance to see a doctor or dentist. Once they reached the front desk, they were triaged to the appropriate specialty.

For most, they don’t have access to regular medical care. Some have chronic medical problems, yet have never been treated before or have received intermittent treatment in the past and now their ailment have become advanced, according to Taillac, a native of Salt Lake City.

So, along with U.S. and Moroccan service members, some local community physicians were part of the staff who were providing medical care. These physicians plan to follow up on those who many need follow-on treatment.

“We have a chance to see them and provide some medical advice and initial medical treatment that will be followed up by community physicians,” said Taillac.

In the school library, U.S. and Moroccan military dentist established a dental exam room and provided tooth extractions and restorative care.

“So far, we’ve seen mostly children and adults with moderate to severe cavities,” said Army Maj. David J. Coates, a dentist with Utah Army National Guard. “Not much different than any population in the world who doesn’t have access to dental care.”

According to Coates, a native of South Jordan, Utah, his staff is matched one for one by the Moroccan staff. This allows for bi-lateral training and increases interoperability.

Additionally, for the first time in AFRICAN LION, the U.S. and Moroccan service members incorporated veterinarian services. More than 400 sheep, goats and horses were treated with medication at a location about just outside of the school.

“The animals are getting de-worm medication, vitamins, and anti-bacteria medication,” said Army Staff Sgt. Kyle D. Gaerte, Utah National Guard. The treatment helps prevent internal and bacterial parasites, and the flu, a respiratory virus.

The U.S. and Moroccan militaries decided to include the veterinarian care because they knew that for a lot of Moroccans, their animals are their livelihood. Helping their animals helps Moroccans achieve a better quality of life.

“The animals, in a lot of cases, are their [Moroccans] main source of income,” said Gaerte, a native of Woods Cross, Utah. “If they don’t keep them healthy, there’s no way they can make a living for their families.”

This humanitarian assistance is just one of five being conducted in different communities throughout Morocco and runs concurrent with the bilateral military training between U.S. and Morocco.

“I really enjoy the opportunity to meet the Moroccan people up close like this,” said Taillac. “It’s our mission in Utah to interface regularly with Moroccan people, being our partner-in-peace country. It’s a country that we anticipate building a long term relationship with over the years, and we will continue coming back [for AFRICAN LION].”

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Story by Master Sgt. Grady Fontana

Iraqi police officers unload sleeping mats and distribute them to local villagers during a humanitarian assistance mission recently in a small village of rural Jawadia, located in the Babil province.

The residents of a small village in rural Jawadia of the Babil province received an unexpected surprise recently.

In the early morning hours under a hazy, sand-induced overcast sky, local villagers awoke to find Iraqi police of the Al Furat Police Station and Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pulling into their village with a railcar shipping container in tow.

When the smiling IP officers cracked open the container, a plethora of supplies ranging from blankets and pillows to water purifiers and generators, poured out to exclamations of astonished gratitude from the local citizens.

“They don’t teach you this in Basic Training or Artillery School,” said Staff Sgt. Travanti Andrews of 2nd Platoon, Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, and Greenwood, Miss. resident. “This type of mission is what we look forward to because we see a difference on the spot. The locals are extremely grateful and we are grateful to have the opportunity to help out. Everybody wins.”

The field artillery battery has spent the past four months working jointly with the local IP to bring much-needed training to their security forces. In addition to this training, they have found time to provide humanitarian assistance to the surrounding communities.

Coordination between the battery commander and IP chief resulted in 340 people from 42 families in the area receiving provisions that greatly improved their quality of life.

“[Iraqi police chief] Maj. Rahman and his police team did an outstanding job ensuring every family got equal rations. Not one person went home empty handed today,” said Maj. Scott Perry, the civil affairs team leader working with 3-16 FA Regt.

This humanitarian assistance mission is one of many that will continue to be a part of 3rd Bn., 16 FA Regt.’s battle rhythm as they conduct operations in the Babil province.

Many of the battalion’s Soldiers said they attribute the ever-increasing stability in the communities throughout the area to the local IP and Iraqi army units. Improvements in the security environment have allowed the Iraqi security forces to focus on building trust within the communities they patrol.

These types of missions are building a foundation for a relationship between law enforcement and the citizens they protect.

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Story by 1st Lt. Matthew Pierce

“The perfect platform”

That’s how Commodore Frank Ponds described the USS Kearsarge’s role in humanitarian assistance missions. Kearsarge is in the midst of Operation Continuing Promise 2008, supporting Phase 2 ops in the Caribbean.

Kearsarge deployed from its home port of Norfolk on August 6, 2008, crammed to the bulkheads with personnel and supplies for this mission. Integral in the planning for CP2008 was the recognition that the ship would be at sea during hurricane season and, according to Ponds, provisions were made for her to take an active role in disaster relief if necessary.

Along with the ship’s normal operating complement of sailors, and those additional personnel supporting the Commodore, the ship is carrying a variety of other passengers. Embarked units and organizations aboard Kearsarge for CP include Commander, Amphibious Squadron 8, Fleet Surgical Team 4; U.S. Public Health Service; Navy Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202; Air Force Civil Engineering Squadron 5′s Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force; contingents of medical personnel from the armed forces of Canada, The Netherlands and Brazil; Navy Assault Craft Unit 2; Naval Beach Group 2; non-governmental organizations International Aide and Project Hope; U.S. Navy Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron 2; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464; personnel from the uniformed Public Health Service and civilians from Operation Smile and Project Hope and other NGO’s. During the mission a number of bloggers are also on board, providing social media coverage.

Allied nations have provided military personnel for this mission. The Canadians have 13-15 on board and have had a military media unit recording their service. The Dutch have two military doctors. Brazil and France have also provided military for this mission.

Kearsarge made its first stop in Nicaragua and was there August 12-24. During these thirteen days, a great deal was accomplished.

During the 13-day operation in Nicaragua, embarked NGOs and military units worked side-by-side with partner-nation military and civilian professionals to provide medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care along with construction, renovation and small-scale civil engineering projects.

CP 08 members worked together with Nicaragua medical professionals to conduct nearly 1,950 dental exams and procedures, more than 2,000 optometry exams and 43 surgeries aboard Kearsarge. In addition, the CP team provided primary care to nearly 7,420 patients and filled more than 20,000 prescriptions at several sites in the area.

In the preventive medicine arena, teams also conducted classes on personal and industrial hygiene, the safe preparation of food and water, child development and infant cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

Engineers assigned to Navy Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 and Air Force Civil Engineering Squadron 5´s Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force completed projects at seven sites, including three schools and a well repair. The work included the construction of two sea huts, electrical upgrades, roof replacement, playground construction, replacing doors and windows, painting and landscaping.

Kearsarge service members also participated in various community relations projects at the Seabee sites, offering extra hands to help with landscaping work, construction and painting renovations. The crew also held a softball competition with the local team, the Puerto Cabezas Veteranos.

From Nicaragua, Kearsarge sailed to Columbia and began work on August 27.

On September 6, Kearsarge was ordered to Haiti, to assist in disaster relief efforts after several hurricanes hit the region. She arrived September 8 and began an intense 18 day effort.

Haiti is judged to be the poorest nation in the Americas. After suffering through several hurricanes, the infrastructure of the country was in ruins and the people faced the real threats of starvation and disease. The country even lacked the ability to unload the relief supplies with fork lifts or other mechanical assistance.

Commodore Ponds reported that his personnel, male and female, “humped” the supplies off helicopters and onto trucks, and from the trucks to the distribution centers. The embarked helicopters of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 and the landing craft carried by Kearsarge were vital to the transportation efforts.

Ponds reports that Kearsarge delivered 3.3 million pounds of relief supplies, 6,000 gallons of water and the embarked engineers assessed infrastructure damage to provide Haitian authorities with a prioritized list of repairs.

The destruction of roads and bridges meant that helicopters were often the only means of access to remote areas. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28) Detachment 5 played a major role in this effort.

In a recent flight to Gonaives, HSC-28 made a very special delivery of food and water to an orphanage isolated by water and deep mud as a result of the recent hurricanes that struck the region. The only way for the staff and children to receive aid was by an airdrop from one of the squadron’s MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters.

“One American citizen painted a green circle on the top of the orphanage so we could see where to drop the supplies,” said Bartowitz. “There were 45 to 50 kids inside this two story building. The roads were all flooded out and covered in mud. There were people trudging in the mud waist deep.”

Medical personnel from Kearsarge, both American and Canadian, worked to assess needs and to provide assistance.

“I am glad to be here helping the people of Haiti,” said Canadian Air Force Capt. Jolene Cook, medical augmentee embarked aboard Kearsarge. “As a doctor, I hope to treat as many people as I possibly can, but I will be happy to help these people out in any way possible.”

Kearsarge made a two day run to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to refuel and obtain supplies on September 19-21.

Kearsarge concluded its relief mission September 26. Next stop: the Dominican Republic.

Kearsarge’s 14 day mission in the Dominican Republic, October 3-16, involved medical assistance, education and public works.

Medical specialists from Kearsarge, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 4, the U.S. Public Health Service, Canada, Brazil, France and Project Hope worked together with Dominican medical professionals to conduct nearly 750 dental exams and procedures, more than 2,100 optometry exams, 35 surgeries aboard Kearsarge, provide more than 16,000 patients primary medical care and filled more than 31,600 prescriptions at several sites in the area.

In addition to treatment, teams also conducted subject matter expert exchange workshops on personal hygiene, sexual education and first aid.

“In some places, we provided care that the citizens otherwise would not have received,” said French Navy Master Chief Virginia Coste, a nurse embarked aboard Kearsarge for the Dominican Republic CP 2008 mission. “Whether they received medial treatment or just education, we made a difference, and they know they have our support.”

Engineers assigned to Navy Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 and Air Force Civil Engineering Squadron 5´s Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force completed projects at four sites. The work included the construction of a modified facility to house four new classrooms, expanding a local elementary school in Sabana Grande, and the rehab of a medical clinic in Bonao.

Taking time for a break, Kearsarge put in at the Dutch island of Curacao for liberty.The personnel aboard did not forget the people of Curacao, however, and organized and staffed a a two-day optometry clinic.

Keaarsarge is now off Trinidad, its fourth stop in Operation Continuing Promise 2008. It’s 13 day stay has several important tasks underway.

CP’s medical contingent, led by Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 4, with personnel from the U.S Public Health Service; Canada; Brazil; the Netherlands: and non-government organizations Project Hope and International Aid, moved medical equipment and personnel ashore to begin a 13-day clinical operation, augmenting local medical providers at the Couva District Health Facility and the Arima District Health Facility.

The embarked Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202 along with engineers from the Air Force’s 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Prime Base Emergency Engineer Force also began moving equipment ashore to prepare for renovation work in the Port of Spain and Tunapuna regions at the All-in-One Child Development Center, the St. Jude’s School for Girls and Cyril Ross Nursery.

Commodore Frank Ponds spoke with a number of us during a Bloggers’ Roundtable today. He talked in detail about the work being done by his people and the other units aboard Kearsarge.

• 107,373 patients have been medically assessed and some 34,000 treated
• 64,000 pharmaceuticals have been dispensed
• 91 repairs of bio-medical equipment
• 104 medical procedures performed on board
• dental work for 4,000 patients
• 4,000 animals, both livestock and pets, treated.

Ponds singled out Operation Smile for its work with cleft palate children. Some of the medical procedures on board were to correct this birth defect. He anticipates additional such medical procedures as the mission continues.

Kearsarge will remain deployed until early December.

• Public Health Service
• Project HOPE
• Operation Smile
• Project Handclasp

Photo captions:

1. USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) underway near Bangladesh, disaster relief mission
2. U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Alexandra Olson, embarked aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), teaches children dental hygiene during a humanitarian mission in Betania, Nicaragua, on Aug. 17, 2008. The Kearsarge, which is deployed with various embarked units and nongovernmental organizations, is supporting the Caribbean phase of Continuing Promise 2008, an equal partnership mission between the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, Nicaragua, Panama, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Lange, U.S. Navy
3. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Carrie Broom, from the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), helps a boy paint during a volunteer community event in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, on Aug. 23, 2008. The Kearsarge, which is deployed with various embarked units and nongovernmental organizations, is supporting the Caribbean phase of Continuing Promise 2008, an equal partnership mission between the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, Nicaragua, Panama, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Gina Wollman, U.S. Navy
4. U.S. Navy sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) load supplies onto a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to be delivered to areas affected by recent hurricanes on Sept. 13, 2008. The Kearsarge was diverted from its scheduled deployment in support of the humanitarian assistance mission Continuing Promise 2008 to conduct hurricane relief operations in Haiti. DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Lange, U.S. Navy
5. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlos Monserrat, from Construction Battalion Mobile Unit 202, and Air Force engineer Staff Sgt. Richard Monsalve, both embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), make adjustments to concrete blocks at the Socorro Sanchez Primary School construction site during the humanitarian and civic assistance mission Continuing Promise 2008 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Oct. 4, 2008. The Kearsarge is deployed in support of the Caribbean phase of Continuing Promise 2008, an equal-partnership mission between the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Maddelin Angebrand, U.S. Navy