® Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family Vol. 18, No. 4, Norfolk, VA FLAGSHIPNEWS.COM January 28, 2010 Bataan’s fi rst ‘miracle’ patient in Haiti returns home BY ENSIGN CAROLINE MEDEVAC mission to a small vil- zel said. HUTCHESON lage outside Port-au-Prince, where Once Baby Wilson was well USS Bataan Public Affairs he was sent to fi nd a young wom- enough to be transferred back to an with pelvic fractures, who had Haiti, the ship’s commanding of- USS BATAAN, At Sea — The recently delivered a child who did fi cer, Capt. Sam Howard, asked medical team aboard USS Bata- not survive. Phillips if he would escort the boy an (LHD 5) said goodbye to one of The team walked miles through and his mother home. the fi rst patients the team medical- fi elds after their vehicle could not The team transported Wilson ly evacuated (MEDEVAC) in the make it through the roads any- and other patients to a landing zone Haiti relief efforts Jan. 24, reuniting more. They found the woman in a manned by non-government orga- the 9-month-old boy and his moth- gathering of adults with foam mat- nization workers and joint military er with their family in the vicinity of tresses for beds and sheets strung personnel, where vans with inter- Port-au-Prince, Haiti. up as homes. preters transfer Haitians affected Wilson Siere, fl own with other “Then someone said, ‘Senior, you by the earthquake back to their vil- rehabilitated patients to a receiv- have to look at this baby,’” Phillips lages and towns. ing depot ashore, gathered an said. “They put him in my arms, Wilson will be reunited with his affectionate following among the and he was lifeless.” father and two older brothers. medical staff and others during his An interpreter called the child’s It was an emotional goodbye for time in the ward aboard Bataan. mother, and the team was back the medical team and everyone “Everyone had some ‘Wilson- to Bataan for the fi rst emergency who had grown to know the child. time’ built into their day,” said medical evacuation of the ship’ re- “I said goodbye to him alone on Cmdr. William C. Wallace, offi cer- lief efforts. the ship,” Phillips said. “I told him in-charge of Fleet Surgical Team “He was so very lethargic and I want him to become a man who (FST) 8. “He was on the (command- weak, dehydrated and starving, could affect change in the world. ing offi cer’s) regular schedule for a and today he is the inspiration To be in a place so desolate at this while.” that lifts our spirits,” said Senior time, only a man of great character The boy, extremely malnour- Chief Corpsman Brian E. Wenzel would arise.” ished, dehydrated and suffering of FST-8. “He smiles, laughs, loves Phillips said he held Wilson the gastrointestinal complications, was to touch your face and explore his entire helicopter ride to the island. crawling around in the medical new friends.” He handed the child to his mother ward after only a few days of treat- Wenzel said the boy is developed and she looked at him, shaking her ment. at about a 6-month age but con- head with tears streaming down Photo by MC3 Samantha Robinett “Baby Wilson was our fi rst mir- tinues to gain weight and remain her face. Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Lunar Odhiambo comforts an acle,” said Senior Chief Corpsman alert. “The interpreter turned to me, injured Haitian child as he recovers in the medical ward aboard the multi- purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan, along with Huben L. Phillips, leading chief pet- “He survived one of the world’s and said ‘she just doesn’t have the amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston ty offi cer of Bataan’s medical staff, most horrifi c catastrophes and words.’” Hall (LSD 44) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), are participating in Operation and added that the boy quickly has served as a reminder of the For more news from USS Bataan Unifi ed Response and are providing military support capabilities to civil became a part of the Bataan fam- resilience and strength of these (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/ authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti. ily. Phillips rescued the child on a people even as an infant,” Wen- lhd5/. Pentagon: U.S. Forces in Haiti to grow to 20,000 Use caution when BY JOHN J. KRUZEL donating to relief American Forces hours, military officials said. er of U.S. Southern Command. Press Service “The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is In the meantime, some 1,400 flights are efforts, expert says a huge part of enabling us to extend our waiting to land at the congested Toussaint BY JUDITH SNYDERMAN WASHINGTON reach to places around the country that Louverture International Airport in the Special to American Forces — Roughly 20,000 may need our assistance but we just haven’t capital of Port-au-Prince, where the United Press Service U.S. troops will be been there yet,” Army Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen, States is overseeing upwards of 140 flights supporting relief ef- the top U.S. commander in Haiti, said on daily as officials look to open additional WASHINGTON — In forts in Haiti by Jan. The Pentagon Channel today. airfields, Fraser told Pentagon reporters response to the devastation 24, military officials Army Lt. Gen. The additional forces come as inter- today. Reports of bottle-necking at the caused by the Jan. 12 said, adding to the P.K. Keen national aid continues pouring into Haiti airport have emerged as its capacity has earthquake in Haiti, there’s 13,000-strong American force currently following a magnitude 7 earthquake that swelled from an average of 13 commercial been an outpouring of goodwill there. struck Jan. 12, creating what an official aircraft daily arrivals before the quake. and a desire to help victims. Comprising the force will be the 22nd called one of the greatest humanitarian As of yesterday, an airport about 30 miles But not all urgent appeals Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 82nd emergencies in the history of the Ameri- southeast of the Haitian capital in the city for aid being broadcast on Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade and thou- cas. of Jacmel became operational in addition radio and television, online sands of other troops operating afloat off About 2,000 Marines of the 22nd Marine to the San Isidro airport in neighboring and at social networking sites the Haitian coast and on shore, distributing Expeditionary Unit that came ashore earli- Dominican Republic, where officials are are legitimate, a consumer provisions, assisting in medical operations er this week have zeroed in on an area west looking to open a third airport in Maria expert with the U.S. Federal and helping to maintain security. Some of Port-au-Prince where much of the larg- Montez. Trade Commission warned 2,200 Marines of the 24th Marine Expedi- er destruction occurred, according to Air in an interview for the Jan. tionary Unit are slated to arrive within 48 Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, the command- See PENTAGON, A9 21 American Forces Press Service weekly news podcast. Carol Kando-Pinedo said the best way to provide Navy announces updates immediate help is to donate money directly to established national relief organizations to Selective Reenlistment that have the experience and means to deliver aid. It makes Bonus award levels sense to deal with well-known groups, but it’s important to PRESS RELEASE ence to stay Navy. Award levels check credentials, she added. Navy Personnel Command are strategically adjusted as re- “Be wary of charities Public Affairs tention needs dictate. with names that sound like MILLINGTON, Tenn. — The The new message approves familiar or nationally known Navy announced revised Selec- 38 increases in SRB award lev- organizations,” she said. tive Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) els and four decreases. Seven Photo by MC3 Antwjuan Richards-Jamison “Some phony charities use An SH-60C Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat rates Jan. 22 in NAVADMIN awards were removed entirely, Squadron (HSC) 26 prepares to land aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier names that sound or look like 028/10. two were added and 132 remain USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to load and deliver water earthquake victims in those of respected, legitimate “Selective Reenlistment Bonus- unchanged. Haiti. organizations.” es are a dynamic, market-based Air traffi c controllers in Zone Other tips include declining incentive designed to retain those A (less than six years of service) Navy aircraft carrier playing unsolicited e-mail, phone call Sailors in our most critical ratings and surface force independent or text requests for money with critical NECs (Navy enlisted duty corpsmen in Zone C (be- major role in relief efforts and requests for personal classifi cation codes),” said Chief tween ten and fourteen years of or fi nancial information. BY CHRISTEN N. MCCLUNEY of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. service) were new to the SRB list Defense Media Activity Lindsey, commanding offi cer, USS Often, “scam artists use this Mark Ferguson. “These bonuses this cycle. Seven hospital corps- Carl Vinson told bloggers during a information to commit fraud contribute to our efforts to pro- man NEC awards were removed. WASHINGTON — USS Carl Jan. 23 “DoDLive” bloggers round- against you,” the consumer vide the fl eet with Sailors who Sailors should consult NAV- Vinson is playing a pivotal role for table. “As long as there are injured expert said.