Gunston Hall Deck Department Works to Support Haiti Relief Effort
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100127-18
Release Date: 1/27/2010 4:37:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) John Stratton, USS Gunston (LSD 44) Hall Public Affairs
KILLICK, Haiti (NNS) -- Run by a small seasoned crew of officers and chiefs, USS Gunston Hall's (LSD 44) Deck Department Sailors are currently contributing to Operation Unified Response in Haiti, specifically the mission offshore near the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base.
Deck Department Sailors are vital to providing expedient humanitarian and relief aid to the Haitian people, said Gunston Hall 1st Lieutenant Lt. Kathryn Wijnaldum.
"We are the mechanism that ensures our commanding officer's vision for this mission is accomplished," said Wijnaldum. "Our department is responsible for getting what equipment, and ship's company is needed ashore for this mission."
Wijnaldum said that with the Gunston Hall mission clearly defined, Gunston Hall Sailors are ensuring mission parameters are met.
"A battle rhythm is now in place, so we are now capable of running multiple evolutions in a safe and expeditious manner, making sure 'the vision' is at the forefront of everything we do," said Wijnaldum.
A typical day for the 42 Gunston Hall Deck Department Sailors begins at 5 a.m., often ending well after 10 p.m. They eat what's called a 'hot plate' (a to-go box with whatever is on the menu for the day) for all three meals. It's a rarity that they are ever seen on the mess decks.
The department's Sailors are aware their involvement in Operation Unified Response is making a difference, said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Patrick Drumm, Gunston Hall's 2nd division leading chief petty officer and acting flight deck officer.
"These Sailors love what they do; they don't complain, and they know that at the end of the day, because of the hard work they put in, someone's life was changed ashore for the better," said Drumm.
Sailors working in the division agreed.
"It's a lot of hard work...good work, and at the end of the day at least you can know that a difference was made," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Aaron Edgerton, a Sailor from Gunston Hall's Deck Department.
Deck Department Sailors make a difference by transporting the crew ashore by rigid haul inflatable boats (RHIB); manning the flight deck for refueling helicopters which transport injured citizens; running crane operations to ensure that humanitarian and relief supplies are loaded onto the landing craft units (LCUs); and running welldeck operations to make sure the LCUs are off loaded safely.
Although Gunston Hall Deck Department Sailors are eager to be involved in operations ashore and department leaders try to acoomodate this through a rotating schedule, operational committments sometimes prohibit these activities.
"We usually only send two of our Sailors ashore...the ones that help run the (helicopter) landing zone," said Drumm. "It's almost impossible to send anyone else because we need boat drivers, crane operators, flight deck personnel and welldeck operators."
Working long days with limited manpower can pose problems, but Gunston Hall Sailors feel they are meeting mission requirements.
"For not having that many of us in the department, we're doing a great job," said Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Joseph Clark. "Trying not to get too burned out is the key while we're out here because the fatigue can creep up on you when you least expect it."
Several evolutions in which Gunston Hall Deck Department Sailors are involved can pose significant risks and rely on basic seamanship skills, said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW/AW) Bradley Gnage.
"You know what to do...remember your training," said Gnage. "We need to be reminded of this because with all the aspects of our job, it can become dangerous very quickly."
While every Gunston Hall Sailor is instrumental in the Killick mission, Deck Department Sailors are providing a driving force for the ship's efforts, driving the RHIBs ashore, craning on supplies and manning the flight deck.
"All of us on Gunston Hall play an important role with this mission, but without Deck Department, there wouldn't be a mission for Gunston Hall," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) James Ceasar.
Gunston Hall, a Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship, was originally scheduled for a deployment to Africa in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS) West, but was diverted to help Haitian relief operations.
APS West is an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa that aims to improve maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.
Gunston Hall recently completed a mid-life modernization availability, which included major upgrades to the ship's control system, local area network and machinery control system, propulsion systems as well as replacement of the ship's boilers and evaporators with an all-electric services system.
Find out more about Gunston Hall at www.gunston-hall.navy.mil.
To learn more about Africa Partnership Station and its mission, visit www.c6f.navy.mil/apshome.html.
For more news from USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), visit www.navy.mil/local/lsd44/.
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