About damn time.

Finally something worth writing about. Our mission to Haiti is finally over. What? You thought I cam back with the rest of the other Navy ships a couple weeks ago? Nope. MY ship was one of the very first ones in and the last to leave. Funny how that is. It was a bit frustrating to see the news coverage of the Comfort returning and how the media basically reported the US military's mission in Haiti was finished. We have over 3,000 people here on board, and we just now started dropping stuff off at Gitmo and heading home.

I'm looking forward to our return to Norfolk. We look to be back right before Easter, and I hope to be home that Sunday for the annual family brunch neighborhood get-together. However, i am looking forward to be able to go home and stay home for a couple weeks of leave, starting on the 5th. After my little vacation, I will be headed off to start another school to change my job's specialty and then head to Tampa Bay, Florida.

It turns out Germany wasn't to be. My rate's detailer likes to let multiple people choose the same orders and then feels that she can fix things by changing the orders without telling anyone. After about a month at sea, I got my orders which were totally different from the ones I was promised while I was in Iraq. No phone calls or emails. She emailed my orders to my Chief and that was that. Luckily, in all the ways to get screwed over, this is the best way how. It's not Europe, but I guess I can live with shore duty in sunny Tampa just fine. Plus, the school will give me a better job.

The past two and a half months have been long. The work output from my shop has been pretty minimal and it's honestly been us counting down the days since the beginning. Unfortunately, we never even know when the end was till about four days ago. We've had admirals, generals and other big-wigs onboard, and no one had any idea when we would be able to leave. Hell, we even had the CNO.

That's not to say we didn't accomplish anything. We dilivered an unprecedented amount of supplies, saved hundreds of lives and among other things, deeply touched the people of Haiti. What we thought might have been an opposite reaction, for the most part, the Haitians welcomed us with open arms.

It's just sad that with Haiti's current and past state, instead of truly helping the Haitians, we have simply empowered a culture of dependency. I'm afraid that I will never see or hear of a stable, prosperous Haiti in my lifetime. Unfortunately, I really don't know what could be done to trun it around for them for the long run.

I am looking forward returning to my family and to start school. I will write again once I am home and have a belly full of delicious food.

Still in Haiti; Can you believe it?

Well it looks like my estimated time of return was incorrect. So wrong in fact that it would seem we have another month and a half left of this mission. It will be the most time I've been out at sea for one period, (without stepping foot on land). Hell of a way to end a tour on the LHD 5.

The mission has been long and is starting to wear us down. Tempers are short and we simply desire a date of return. Yep, we don't even know when we will be back home. The longest they can keep us here is till the end of March. The soonest I can depart Bataan is April 1st. I figure I'll ride this humanitarian ride till the end, and walk away with a week and a half off time before heading to school.

Wait! Hold the phone. When did Sailor Harry ever mention that he was destined to go to school? Whatever happened to Germany? Well, plans change. Seems the detailer allowed several people to go for the same orders in Germany and figured I wouldn't notice the change. Could be a heck of alot worse. Ended up with a really great school and shore orders to Tampa Bay, Florida. Not bad. Now the plan will be to buy a new car and get ready for one of the hardest physical challenges of my life.

That being said, I'll be in the Virginia/Maryland area for an extra three months, and will remain Stateside for the next three years. I also will go ahead and re-enlist, meaning I will keep on going with the Naval tradition. Whether I'm sure of it or not by now, I have a sure feeling that I'm probably going to make a 20-year career of this gig. Not exactly the worse way to live your life.

I guess I can talk about Haiti and the good works being done there. We've sent sailors ashore, along with the marines, and the blue side has pulled it's weight. We've cleared rubble at three orphanages/Christian missions and built temporary shelters for the people in Grand Goave. The people are very appreciative and so far we have been welcomed with open arms. The Creole translators ashore come back for debriefs with us and they all pretty much tell the same story.

1) The Haitians recognize where the aid is coming from.
2) They prefer the Americans presence over the UN and especially their own government.
3) A genuine feeling of abandonment from the Haitian government and police force.
4) Very appreciative of all the aid and help that's come so far.
5) Medical aid and water are the biggest concerns.
6) Those with families in America and Canada would like to live with them.

We obviously will still be here for the next several weeks. We are still getting big shipments of aid to distribute to the shore. The big priority of our mission is to find evidence that we can turn over to the UN and the other organizations. The military will not make this a permanent mission, but will make sure those that will remain there will have the capabilities and are capable to remain independent.

We all want to come home. The ship and personnel have been in a deployable status since January 2009. Yes, January 2009. Though the "deployment" was seven months, the ship has been in and out of Norfolk, underway conducting exercises and operations off the US coast. Deployment 2000-infinity continues!

Helo Inbound

Most people in the service have been part of something significant. Most have a story to tell, whether good or bad. Then there are those that have stories of personal accomplishments and experiences. Lastly, you have those that have stories that tend to be the most entertaining. Unfortunately, the best ones usually do not start or finish with a positive outcome for the storyteller. While not my most infamous deed, I will share a recent happening aboard the USS Bataan.

The last few days have been about researching aid organizations operating in Haiti; where they are, what they are doing exactly for the people, and what supplies they need. This information is passed up to the higher ups for situational awareness and perhaps help designate where to send aid. What it is not meant to be is for me to coordinate with the group and direct supply drops in Haiti.

One organization seemed to interpret my phone call differently. A Catholic relief organization, I spoke with it's head quarters in New York City. After explaining who and where I was, I began asking for information. Their mission was in the decimated city of Jacmel, and their needs were primarily medical related. The city has one damaged hospital, and needed resupply. I asked the woman if she had any more specific information where in Jacmel the mission was. I gave her my email address and she explained she would contact someone in Haiti to forward the info to me.

The next day, while in the middle of trying to contact the UN in NYC, my workspace gets a call. The same organization called, asking for me. Turns out, the mission in Jacmel was standing by for a Navy helo full of the supplies they "requested" and that I "assured them" would come. They supposedly even cleared a landing zone and were waiting since the night before. Thankfully my leadership jumped to clear things up.

I didn't know I, a second class petty officer, wielded such power. I have since then taken charge of the air schedule, and set myself on a mission to the nearest bar. I mean, the smart thing to do would to understand our surroundings and find out whats around us, right? I also took it upon myself to inform the UN that I assumed responsibility to directing all future aid drops. Bataan's water problem will be fixed and Sailor Harry will shower again.

Water Conservation

USS Bataan's CMC puts his guidance into the Plan of the Day after two days of secured showers.

Toughing it Out

The days go by and Bataan keeps dishing out the help. After another successful underway replenishment, the ship became full of aid supplies and is continually transporting it to shore as I type this. This mission has allowed Bataan to reach some milestones, including the transport of 600 pallets of supplies. (A big RAS usually only has about 200 pallets). The supplies include MREs, medicine, food, equipment, and bottled water. The included picture shows one of our LCACs delivering aid to the shore. Our helos and LCACs have been critical to our efforts getting aid where it needs to get, and transporting critcal patients to recieve medical treatment.

As I posted before, our ship just finished a seven month deployment and was scheduled a trip into the yards. We go into the yards to conduct matinence on worn out equipment. In the engine room, Bataan has two huge water evaporators, which provide the ship with thousands of gallons of fresh water daily. This potable water supplies the ship's boilers and other steam powered systems, and also provides for crew consumption. Yesterday, one evap broke down, and today the second followed suit. Our fresh water supply is at a critical level. That means Sailor Harry must stink while he writes this. Thank God my shipmates left me some body spray before they left. Lets just say its a good thing you get to read whats it like being here next to me, and not actually aboard the ship with all the other sailors and marines.

We're trudging through and the plan is to fix the problems and continue our support in Operation: Unified Response. Now if you excuse me, its been another long day, and my rack is calling me.

U.S. Causes Earthquake in Haiti

Among the numerous stories from the international press and media, putting the United States' support in relief efforts, (including domestic, far-left liberal dribble), in a negative light, the most comical of them all comes directly from Hugo Chavez's mouth. The Venezuelan "President" has discovered the awful truth behind the destruction of Port-Au-Prince: "U.S. Hit Haiti with 'Earthquake Weapon'"


Yes folks, it's true. I mean, doesn't it make sense that a top secret weapons facility in ALASKA caused a massive Earthquake near the opposite coast of the US? Whats baffling me is how did Chavez get the info? I mean, our military held onto that little gem tighter than fat kid grips a Butterfinger. The only person we told was Elvis, and he was too busy coordinating relief with Ambassador Bat Boy and the Martians.


Obviously our Intel service has a mole. So much intelligence has leaked since this operation started: countries know we're here to occupy Haiti, that we are only allowing our MILITARY planes to land, and even where our vessels are! (We thought our ships' cloaking devices worked and no one would be able to see us through binoculars, even though we're close enough to be seen from shore without them.)


You might have guessed that I'm being sarcastic, (and you might be right.) Chavez was only a little off. The real truth is George Bush is the reason it happened, and we're here for Haiti's oil. Seriously though, I'd like to thank ambassadors Bat Boy's and Elvis's efforts in coordinating with the Martians in sending $100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 in aid.

Relief Efforts

This morning the crew was literally shook awake. Thoughts of the ship running aground were soon gone as it was announced we experienced an aftershock (6.1). We're fine, and besides scaring the people to death, there was no word on efforts halting or the situation worsening.

Bataan and Comfort are here and doing our jobs. You know what they say; a picture is worth a thousand words.

Haiti SITREP

USS BATAAN and the 22 MEU reached its staging point off the coast of Haiti approximately 1500 yesterday. We are currently providing support to humanitarian efforts on the ground, via our helos and landing crafts, and have sent marines and aid throughout yesterday afternoon. The Comfort has been on our tail since this thing started and should arrive tomorrow.

The USNS Comfort is ready and capable. The floating hospital has a total patient capacity of 1,000, and is complete with its own intensive ward, radiology, casulty reception, dental, and optometry lab. Another great feature of the ship is its capability to make up to 300,000 gallons of fresh water daily. USS Bataan has similar capabilities. I have personally toured the ship myself and I am confident in its abilities to provide support in this endevour. This isn't the first time the ship has been sent to Haiti. Operation Sea Signal 1994, Operation Uphold Democracy 1994, and Operation Continuing Promise since 2007.

Researching on internation efforts; apparently a plane, originally from Iran, landed in Haiti on January 18. Open Source (news) reports the cargo plane left Saturday and via-Caracas, Venezuela, landed on Monday, bringing 30 tonnes of food, medicine, tents, and a 30 medical and search-and-rescue team. No reporting from any major news source yet, and anything out of Iranian or Arab news reporting is always viewed cautiously. Hopefully nothing has been exagerrated or lied about, for no matter where it comes from, Haiti needs all the help it can get.

Almost There

While not close enough yet to provide support, USS BATAAN is currently less than 50 nautical miles from Port-au-Prince.

There has currently been news reports circulating that some countries, particularly their leaders, feel that the U.S. is using this humanitarian effort as a cover for its real agenda. Accusations of an American invasion/occupying force have begun to wear away at an already tense coalition of international aid support.

The United States wants to increase troop levels supporting efforts in Haiti to approximately 10,000. This is in no way meant to be viewed as some type of military takeover. Our troops are simply assisting Haitian police, and more specifically, U.N. security forces in maintaining order and providing security at aid distribution points.

Currently there are growing reports of gang activity rising, with men armed with machetes and potentially fire arms, committing carjackings, armed attacks, and specifically looting. There has been a resentment of any type of U.S. presence in Haiti since our country occupied the country twice in 1915. While it is true the U.S. has influenced Haitian leadership that has led to unfavorable results, our purpose here and now is to assist with ongoing humanitarian efforts, aimed at saving as many lives as possible.

International tensions have risen due to our control of the airport in PAP. Currently, we have shifted the priority of incoming of flights to aid support, but the need for security forces and military equipment is still greatly needed in helping the aid workers do their jobs effectively and safely, while also ensuring the safety of Haitian nationals.

Primarily Marines will be deployed to conduct this tasking and they will conduct it professionally and efficiently, helping and protecting the citizens of Haiti, while still protecting each other. In any type of situation, deadly force is authorized as a last means of self defense.

We are not an occupying force in this time of crisis. We are deploying peacekeepers, aid workers, medical staff, food, water, and other means of survival to help a desperate people. This isn't trying to come off as some "poetic propaganda". Continuing reading as I continue to update. If anything, at least watch CNN or Fox News, as we have with us the news media. If anything, especially CNN, they wouldn't shy away from the idea of broadcasting any mistakes or "nefarious deeds" conducted by us.

Hold on Haiti. We're almost there. We're almost there. Image: Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, hand out meals to women and children in Port-au-Prince on Jan. 16, 2010. (DoD photo by Fred W. Baker III)

Imagery Pre and Post Earthquake

Currently having issues posting images as bandwidth on the ship is limited. I will hopefully be able to post the image itself at a later time but can be accessed with the link provided. The damage sustained at the piers is noticeable and the building on the upper right corner is completely gone.

Imagery is UNCLASS and can be accessed here.

BATAAN and the 22 MEU is currently less than 200 nautical miles North of Cuba and continuing southward towards Haiti. Will update accordingly.

Four years down the drain. And I don't regret any of it.

Four years from now, I was on a bus headed for basic training. Now, much like my birthday in Iraq, there is no beer in sight to celebrate the occasion. Still headed to Haiti, obviously, and should get there in a couple days. I'll keep posting and updating how things go.

Bataan Amphibious Relief Ships Onload 22nd MEU Enroute To Haiti

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. – The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) began onloading approximately 1,700 personnel and their equipment today aboard the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission to aid the people of Haiti following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake Jan. 12.

The ships of the relief mission and the 22nd MEU were mobilized and ready to depart their home bases within 48 hours of being notified, and the onload which normally takes two days is being compressed into 16 hours due to the urgency of the situation.

The MEU along with the contingent of ships, which include USS Bataan (LHD 5); USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), will bring much-needed assets to the Caribbean country to support the disaster relief efforts.

Haiti

Long time no post. A continuing trend, and I apologize. I am currently off the coast of North Carolina, en route to Haiti aboard the USS Bataan, along with the 22 MEU. We are headed to the island nation to assist with Humanitarian efforts in response to a catastrophic earthquake that shook the island apart, leaving a people already stricken with poverty, further destitute and desperate.

As of know, I have no idea what exactly type of assistance we will provide, however this ship has the capability of creating it's own fresh water supply, a complete and competent medical team, and an entire crew of sailors and marines willing to do whatever we can to ensure that help reaches these people.

I will update this as time passes, but unfortunately over leave, I have currently misplaced my personal camera. However I will use photos from other sources. Keep in mind that the pictures may tend to be on the more graphic side, but I will limit the amount of death shown. I do not if I will be boots on the ground or stay on the ship, assisting others from the coast, but I will do my best helping out in this time of crisis.

Good to be back with something to post about.