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PACNORWEST Sailors Support Haiti Relief

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100206-09
Release Date: 2/6/2010 8:55:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Dagendesh Navy Public Affairs Support Element Det., Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash (NNS) -- Humanitarian aid and military personnel from the Pacific Northwest are en route to Haiti to support the relief efforts of Operation Unified Response.

Personnel and resources from Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB), Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Puget Sound and other commands from around the region continue to flow to the earthquake-ravaged country.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Daniel Vogel, NHB, was among a group who deployed with just a few days notice.

"Despite the short notice though, I think this is a great opportunity, and I am very excited that we are going there to help out."

Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Puget Sound's Logistic Support Center coordinated via local Defense Reutilization Marketing Offices (DRMO) representative 16 tri-walls containing 2,000 used Navy blankets from the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) to be shipped to FISC Jacksonville, Fla.

In addition, FISC Detachment Keyport, in support of Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, Washington Aviation Maintenance Training Continuum (AMTCS) warehouse processed two priority requisitions, Jan. 14 for shipment to Mayport, Fla. The material, two Fleet Training Systems, which included various computer hardware for Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HSL) 46 is being mobilized for Haiti Relief.

Naval Hospital Oak Harbor Commanding Officer Capt. James Thralls said Naval Hospital Oak Harbor is inherently flexible and capable of meeting the call to support multiple missions, especially when they are of such overwhelming human suffering.

According to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) leadership, the length of deployments is indefinite at this time.

"I think our medical training has well prepared us for emergencies such as this one. It's what we do on routine, so I think we are prepared," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Alana Myers, NHB. "We will be there for as long as we are needed, but I'm just glad to be able to help out and that we can make a difference."

Capt. Mark Brouker, commanding officer, Naval Hospital Bremerton, said it's too early to begin to know how long the NHB team will be gone, and the final destination is still to be determined and added that NHB patients should be minimally impacted.

"Although we expect to encounter some challenges, our team will rise to the occasion for our patients and our nation as it has done in the past. We will continue meeting our patient care mission and graduate medical education requirements, while supporting our wartime and humanitarian missions."

In addition to Navy resources from the Northwest supporting OUR, many individuals have also expressed the desire to help.

"Certainly our hearts go out for the people of Haiti," said Capt. James Puttler, Navy Region Northwest region chaplain. "but as in any disaster there are folks who attempt to take advantage of the good will and good intentions of the American people. Please check out the background of any organization [you plan to donate to], and if its spending for 'administrative' costs out-paces their 'operational' costs, my recommendation would be to steer clear."

Puttler said there are many legitimate organizations already on the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) list doing great work in Haiti and said he encourages those wanting to make additional contributions to take a look at the CFC organizations.

"For those who attend our regional chapels, every Sunday there is an opportunity to support many of the organizations doing work in Haiti through the Religious Offering Fund. NBK Chapel recently had an approved designated offering for Haiti relief efforts. I believe Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Naval Station Everett will also follow suit, if they haven't already or they are already regularly supporting organizations that do work in Haiti."

Check with your base chaplain's office for more information on specific offering opportunities.