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USS Bunker Hill Delivers Emergency Aid to Haitian Village

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100204-06
Release Date: 2/4/2010 3:27:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Jason Thompson, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

PICMI, Haiti (NNS) -- Officers and crew from the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief Jan. 25 to a small coastal village on Gonave Island in Port-au-Prince Bay, Haiti, after they received an authentic SOS.

Bunker Hill had been off the coast of Haiti as part of Task Force 41 supporting Operation Unified Response, a joint military humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation to benefit those affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

Bunker Hill's Operations Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Jaime Hopkins, first spotted the distress signal while conducting daily aerial reconnaissance over the island. Previously, a helicopter carrying Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander, Carrier Strike Group 1, reported seeing a distress signal in 25-foot letters drawn in the sand.

Bunker Hill Commanding Officer, Capt. Dominic DeScisciolo, using the aerial photographs, determined the village was accessible by rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) and ordered an assessment team ashore to determine the needs of Picmi.

The initial landing team was lead by Bunker Hill Chief Engineer, Lt. Cmdr. Michael Stoker, and included Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW) Carletus Patrick, two translators, Bunker Hill's chaplain, Lt. Jason Gregory and small security team lead by Weapons Officer Lt. Kelvin James.

"Once we established our intentions, the locals were very cooperative and created an environment that allowed for rapid delivery of food, water and medical attention," said Stoker. "Picmi presented the most extreme language barrier we have encountered on the island. It was testament to the ability of my team members that we were able to be so successful in such a short amount of time."

Village leaders stressed their most significant needs were the essentials; food, water and medical care. Following Stoker's recommendation, Bunker Hill began shuttling supplies to the island on their RHIBs.

"The town is so isolated that, more than any other community on the island we have encountered, they are forced to self-sustain every day," said Stoker. "Their need was desperate, but I think they will be more successful in these times than the other communities because they are used to weathering the storm."

Bunker Hill was able to provide nearly 2,000 meals, 400 gallons of fresh water and administer basic medical care to more than 200 people including children and pregnant women.

Bunker Hill and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), attached to Carrier Strike Group 1, departed Haiti Feb. 1 following approximately two weeks on station supporting Operation Unified Response. Carl Vinson is currently underway conducting a scheduled homeport shift.