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USS Bataan Turns Over Mission in Grand Goave, Continues Relief Efforts

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100218-04
Release Date: 2/18/2010 2:18:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darryl I. Wood, USS Bataan Public Affairs

GRAND GOAVE, Haiti (NNS) -- Crew members aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) turned over relief operations in Grand-Goave, Haiti, Feb. 15, having completed their final Sailors Ashore Mission (SAM) in this location.

Bataan's SAM began shortly after the ship arrived on station in Haiti Jan. 18 and allowed Sailors to contribute firsthand to the ongoing relief efforts following the 7.0 earthquake that devastated the island nation. Work in Grand Goave will continue with the local population and non-governmental organizations.

"To be able to come out here and be a blessing to someone that needs the help, it means everything. It humbles me," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Terrance Bellock.

The Sailors coming ashore provided a face to the Navy's relief efforts in Haiti.

Bataan Sailors in Grand Goave donated more than $5,500 to charities assisting in Haiti, cleared 150 tons of rubble, built 65 shelters for 130 families, distributed 500,000 meals, provided triage for 850 patients and medically evacuated (MEDEVAC) 55 Haitians in need of urgent medical care.

Skilled technicians assigned to Bataan's medical department who volunteered for the SAM, spent time assisting in Grand-Goave's Life-Line Christian Ministries Mission, providing medicine and medical care, and coordinating MEDEVACs to nearby naval ships for further treatment of injured Haitians if necessary.

"I'm very excited to go and help people this is what we train for in most cases medical sits back and watches, now we're in the middle, helping people in need," said Cmdr. William Wallace, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 8 OIC.

In addition to providing aid in the form of technical skills, many of Bataan's Sailors lent a hand, and a back to assist with debris cleanup and construction projects.

Sailors cleared areas filled with rubble to allow for the reconstruction of walls, sorted through damaged cement bricks, and assisted with the construction of plastic tents for displaced Haitians.

The Sailors of Bataan said yes to every task presented to them, and the local Haitian population was at their side every step of the way.

"I wanted to do the Sailors Ashore Mission because if I were in the same situation, I would only hope that somebody would help me as well" said Electrician's Mate Fireman Ashley Wheeler.

Before departing, Bataan Sailors paid a special visit to two area orphanages where earlier missions took place. This visit however was not to remove piles of cement bricks or clean up mounds of debris, but to say goodbye. In their hands, each Sailor carried a box filled with stuffed toys and clothes collected on board Bataan. The donations were sent to the ship by family members back home at the request of their Sailors.

Bataan, USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) deployed to provide military support capabilities to civil authorities and to help stabilize and improve the situation in the wake of this disaster.