TF 48 Routes Haiti Relief Through Gitmo

By Army Staff Sgt. Blair Heusdens, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Task Force 48 has been established to support the shipment of supplies during Operation Unified Response and provide logistical support to Joint Task Force (JTF) Haiti at U.S. Naval Station (NAVSTA) Guantanamo Bay after the Jan. 12 earthquake.

NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay is strategically located to provide humanitarian assistance and support relief efforts as part of Operation Unified Response.

"Because of its location and the airfield and seaport here, Guantanamo is an ideal spot for a joint logistics hub," said Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, commander, Task Force 48, which supports the shipment of humanitarian supplies and personnel between the United States and other nations through Guantanamo to landing zones in Haiti and offshore ships.

Personnel at the joint logistics hub work day and night to move food, water, personnel and medical supplies to the areas in Haiti where they are needed most.

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, JTF Guantanamo and NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay stepped in as a bridging agent to facilitate movement of material and supplies to Haiti until Task Force 48 stood up.

"We immediately partnered with the naval station commander to assist in the increased operations as a result of the horrible tragedy in Haiti," said Rear Adm. Tom Copeman, JTF Guantanamo commander. "Since the arrival of Task Force 48, we have provided our expertise and local knowledge for their continued support in Operation Unified Response."

To make this large-scale movement of supplies possible, Task Force 48 is using a combination of air and sea assets, both civilian and military, to coordinate and move lifesaving aid to the earthquake victims.

"We're using every conceivable means to get supplies to Haiti where they are needed," Wolfe said.

The air terminal at Guantanamo hosts a variety of aircraft including cargo planes, passenger aircraft, helicopter support and the C-2 Greyhound carrier on board delivery aircraft which facilitate movement between the naval base and the many ships in the area. The seaport at Guantanamo Bay is another important asset to the humanitarian mission. Various military and international ships dock at the naval station to pick up, transfer or deliver supplies.

Wolfe knows the importance of routing assets through Guantanamo, just 170 miles from Port-au-Prince, and getting the Task Force 48 infrastructure and command in place to make the delivery of humanitarian assistance quicker and smoother.

"The airport in Haiti is overwhelmed," said Wolfe.
"Without coordination, material would come from all over and no one would have control."

Although supplies and assets continue to arrive to augment the mission at Guantanamo Bay, Wolfe is pleased with the progress of the task force in such a short time.

"So far the mission has been successful," said Wolfe. "We're keeping the ships supplied and moving supplies out of Guantanamo."

Task Force 48 will continue to manage all air and sea assets at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay and work with all multinational partners in the effort to provide humanitarian assistance and to sustain the force in the relief effort.

VRC-40: Supporting Operation Unified Response

Equipment and supplies are loaded onto a C-2A Greyhound assigned to the Rawhides of Fleet Logistical Support Squadron (VRC) 40 at the airfield at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Rawhides are transporting personnel to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to support disaster relief efforts following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill Mesta/Released)

By Army Sgt. Michael Baltz, Joint Task Force Guantanamo

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Service members from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 arrived at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to help support Operation Unified Response after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti Jan. 12.

The squadron, based out of Norfolk, Va., has been providing critical logistical support by transporting more than 300 tons of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cargo to the people of Haiti.

"We feel like we are making a difference," said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Zaniko, the operations officer for VRC-40. "In a routine six-month deployment, a squad like ours would normally transport about 500 tons of cargo. We have done more than half that in our first week."

The VRC-40's mission is to facilitate the movement of high priority cargo, mail and passengers to and from Atlantic fleet carriers. Additionally, they also train top-notch pilots, aircrew and maintainers. They are equipped with six C-2A Greyhounds, which are conducting three to four missions nightly while deployed to Guantanamo.

"We fly during the night to limit the air traffic during the day," Zaniko said. "This works out well because, when everyone wakes-up, they have their supplies, and we continue to move forward."

Greyhounds can carry up to 10,000 pounds of cargo, which could include personnel.

"We are currently flying cargo to Haiti and to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)," said Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class Nicholas Ingram. "We also fly doctors and search and rescue teams to help support the mission."

Ingram and naval Air Crewman 2nd Class Casey Marshall, have been on more than 15 logistical missions in just their first week.

"The most challenging part of the job is maintaining flexibility and being adaptable in every situation," Marshall said. "We have long days and long nights, but we do it with a smile on our face. Knowing that we are helping the people in Haiti, our sacrifices are minimal compared to theirs, and I enjoy having the ability to help them out."

"Everyone in our unit is working hard," Ingram chimed in. "The faster we get everything going, the faster we can help them."

"We are all excited to be here and to be able to help," Zaniko said. "I am very proud of everyone working so hard to accomplish the mission."

Air Terminal at Gitmo Supports Haiti Relief Effort

A Boeing 747 contracted by the U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command, lands at the Guantanamo Bay airfield with humanitarian supplies. The humanitarian supplies are part of Operation Unified Response, a joint operation providing humanitarian assistance following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill Mesta/Released)

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Edward Flynn

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and Joint Task Force Guantanamo continue support of disaster relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti Jan. 12.

A joint logistics hub at the naval station and the air terminal has been established to coordinate and lead humanitarian relief efforts to the island.

Task Force 48 has been tasked to coordinate the deliver this aid to Haiti.

"The military personnel here are working non-stop, around-the-clock, coordinating the air and sea assets to deliver immediate, lifesaving supplies to Haiti," said Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, commander, Task Force 48.

Military and base personnel are working around-the-clock to coordinate transport of supplies to Haiti. This rapid lift of water, food and medical supplies, including blood donations, will help the devastated country.

"We are all here doing what we signed up for," said Lt. Kimberly Gentner, with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14. Gentner praised those working at the air terminal for their hard work in ensuring heavy cargo, food, water and medical supplies are transported from the terminal to Haiti. From operations, flight control, humanitarian assistances providers, cargo handlers and logistics specialists, the team assembled at the air terminal requires a wide range of technical skills needed for mission success.

In any joint mission or task force, communication is paramount for success. "The level of cooperation we received from U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is exceptional," said Lt. Devin Lewis, detachment maintenance officer of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40. "Although logistics is always a challenge, we work extremely hard knowing we are saving lives."

At the air terminal, the task of coordinating the personnel manifest is organized by Sailors from the naval station. Checking luggage, following U.S. travel guidelines and documenting personnel arriving and departing the island is necessary to ensure accountability and safety.

"The people of Haiti need our help and I'm glad to be part of this important mission," said Yeoman 2nd Class Robert Sanders, an arrival coordinator at the air terminal. Sanders credited his team with assisting more than 700 military personnel and civilians in arriving or departing the island since Jan. 21. "Every job is important and the ultimate goal is to ensure the supplies reach the people of Haiti."

Navy Pic of the Day - Haiti Earthquake Victum Treated at Gitmo

Navy hospital staff members rush an American U.S. Embassy worker into the U.S. Naval Hospital at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. The worker was one of four Haiti earthquake victims received for evaluation and treatment. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill Mesta/Released)