Remembering Operation Haiti Relief

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with the 2nd Detachment, 8th Ordnance Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), visit the orphanage in support of Operation Haiti Relief February 2010 at Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Cynthia Mason)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

02.27.2011

Courtesy Story

224th Sustainment Brigade

By: Spc. Tiffany Isenberg

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — It’s hard to believe a year has passed since a devastating earthquake changed the lives of many in Haiti, but as the soldiers with the 2nd Detachment, 8th Ordnance Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), continue their Ammunition Supply Point operations at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, they remember their mission in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, one year ago in February.

The 8th Ordnance Company deployed its 2nd Detachment in February 2010 to aid the victims of the Haiti earthquake disaster.

The platoon was, and still is, led by 1st Lt. Michael Beagle, an Olympia, Wash., native, and Staff Sgt. Brian Womack, an Opp, Ala., native. They deployed with four palletized loading system vehicles with trailers, one light-medium tactical vehicle, four 6K forklifts, two 10K forklifts, and one Humvee. While on mission in Haiti, the platoon transported containers filled with water, food, and other relief essentials. They used their forklifts to down-load planes flying in items donated by many organizations from around the world.

The platoon ran 24-hour operations for the majority of their relief efforts, but transporting these items was not the only mission the group focused on. The soldiers and leaders realized that, although they were a strong part of the relief, there was more to be done.

As a result, the soldiers decided to volunteer at the local orphanage. Many were inspired by the resilience of the children – many of whom were newborn. Soldiers actively engaged the children with sports and other games, while others walked with the kids just to talk to them.

“It was a great feeling seeing the kids' face light up when we arrived at the orphanage,” said Sgt. Tanisha Miller, an ammunition specialist with the 2nd Detachment, 8th Ordnance Company, and a Queens, N.Y., native.

This was Beagle’s first mission deployment with the platoon.

“Visiting the orphanage was a memorable experience for me,” he said. “Being able to see some of the aid supplies in the hands of those that needed it was a really good feeling. I only hope that efforts are still being supplied to the victims of Haiti.”

Throughout this past year, the soldiers with 2nd Detachment will remember the great strength and spirit of the Haitian people who continue to inspire the world with their determination to rebuild.

• Date Taken: 02.27.2011
• Date Posted: 03.06.2011 05:58
• Story ID: 66563
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ