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USS Gunston Hall
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Haiti Relief
USS Gunston Hall Deck
Department Works to Support Haiti Relief Effort
The Gunston Hall, (LSD 44), is one of NOVA Councils adopted ships.
By: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) John Stratton, USS
Gunston Hall Public Affairs
KILLICK, Haiti (NNS) -- Run by a small seasoned crew of officers and chiefs,
USS Gunston Hall's Deck Department Sailors are currently contributing to
Operation Unified Response in Haiti, specifically the mission offshore near
the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base.
Deck Department Sailors are vital to providing expedient humanitarian and
relief aid to the Haitian people, said Gunston Hall 1st Lieutenant Lt.
Kathryn Wijnaldum.
"We are the mechanism that ensures our commanding officer's vision for this
mission is accomplished," said Wijnaldum. "Our department is responsible for
getting what equipment, and ship's company is needed ashore for this
mission."
Wijnaldum said that with the
Gunston Hall mission clearly defined, Gunston Hall Sailors are ensuring
mission parameters are met.
"A battle rhythm is now in place, so we are now capable of running multiple
evolutions in a safe and expeditious manner, making sure 'the vision' is at
the forefront of everything we do," said Wijnaldum.
A typical day for the 42 Gunston Hall Deck Department Sailors begins at 5
a.m., often ending well after 10 p.m. They eat what's called a 'hot plate'
(a to-go box with whatever is on the menu for the day) for all three meals.
It's a rarity that they are ever seen on the mess decks.
The department's Sailors are aware their involvement in Operation Unified
Response is making a difference, said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Patrick
Drumm, Gunston Hall's 2nd division leading chief petty officer and acting
flight deck officer.
"These Sailors love what they do; they don't complain, and they know that at
the end of the day, because of the hard work they put in, someone's life was
changed ashore for the better," said Drumm.
Sailors working in the division agreed.
"It's a lot of hard work...good work, and at the end of the day at least you
can know that a difference was made," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Aaron
Edgerton, a Sailor from Gunston Hall's Deck Department.
Deck Department Sailors make a difference by transporting the crew ashore by
rigid haul inflatable boats (RHIB); manning the flight deck for refueling
helicopters which transport injured citizens; running crane operations to
ensure that humanitarian and relief supplies are loaded onto the landing
craft units (LCUs); and running welldeck operations to make sure the LCUs
are off loaded safely.
Although Gunston Hall Deck Department Sailors are eager to be involved in
operations ashore and department leaders try to accommodate this through a
rotating schedule, operational commitments sometimes prohibit these
activities.
"We usually only send two of our Sailors ashore...the ones that help run the
(helicopter) landing zone," said Drumm. "It's almost impossible to send
anyone else because we need boat drivers, crane operators, flight deck
personnel and welldeck operators."
Working long days with limited manpower can pose problems, but Gunston Hall
Sailors feel they are meeting mission requirements.
"For not having that many of us in the department, we're doing a great job,"
said Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Joseph Clark. "Trying not to get too burned
out is the key while we're out here because the fatigue can creep up on you
when you least expect it."
Several evolutions in which Gunston Hall Deck Department Sailors are
involved can pose significant risks and rely on basic seamanship skills,
said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW/AW) Bradley Gnage.
"You know what to do...remember your training," said Gnage. "We need to be
reminded of this because with all the aspects of our job, it can become
dangerous very quickly."
While every Gunston Hall Sailor is instrumental in the Killick mission, Deck
Department Sailors are providing a driving force for the ship's efforts,
driving the RHIBs ashore, craning on supplies and manning the flight deck.
"All of us on Gunston Hall play an important role with this mission, but
without Deck Department, there wouldn't be a mission for Gunston Hall," said
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) James Ceasar.
Gunston Hall, a Whidbey
Island-class amphibious dock landing ship, was originally scheduled for a
deployment to Africa in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS) West,
but was diverted to help Haitian relief operations.
APS West is an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and
Naval Forces Africa that aims to improve maritime safety and security in
West and Central Africa.
Gunston Hall recently completed
a mid-life modernization availability, which included major upgrades to the
ship's control system, local area network and machinery control system,
propulsion systems as well as replacement of the ship's boilers and
evaporators with an all-electric services system.
Find out more about Gunston Hall at
www.gunston-hall.navy.mil.
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