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Gunston Hall, Underwood Work Quality of Life Issues at Killick

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100201-13
Release Date: 2/1/2010 2:58:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) John Stratton, USS Underwood Public Affairs

KILLICK, Haiti (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS Underwood (FFG 36) are working together with the Haitian people to expedite work on plumbing and sanitation deficiencies at the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base.

Sailors from the two Navy ships were able to successfully install a well pump and have it running in a few days' time, providing potable water and sanitation primarily needed to support the medical clinic at the Haitian Coast Guard base.

"This well is essential to the quality of life here because it delivers water throughout the base," said Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class (SW) Chris Dreiling, from Salina, Kan. "It will provide water to the toilets, sinks and showers here."

The joint effort required the skills of several Sailors to ensure this much-needed project was completed.

"Gunston Hall provided us with the supplies and together we've been working on this project for the past few days," said Underwood Sailor and Jacksonville, Fla., native Electrician's Mate 1st Class (SW) Nelson Arnzten.

Gunston Hall Sailor Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Nayeli Benitez, a Hanover Park, Ill., native, said challenges with the project were to be expected.

"The electrical system here in Haiti is nothing like it is back in the United States," she said, after discovering the base's electrical system was tied to a generator, making it difficult to perform electrical maintenance.

Now that the well is functioning, other projects can be completed.

"I've been taking a look at the toilets and showers," said Gunston Hall Damage Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Gary Darling, a native of Morley, Mich. "A few of us have been making much-needed repairs to the toilets and showerheads, and we're ready for the pump to get the water flowing."

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. The ship was diverted to assist in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response.

The ship recently completed a mid-life modernization availability. The work included major upgrades to the ship's control system, local area network and machinery control system, propulsion systems, HVAC, as well as replacement of the ship's boilers and evaporators with an all-electric services system.