U.S. Southern Command Commander Visits Killick, Proud of Accomplishments

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class John Stratton | USS Gunston Hall commanding officer Cmdr. Fred Wilhelm discusses improvements made to the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base with Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander, U.S. Southern Command and Air Force Gen. Duncan McNabb, commander, U.S. Transportation Command. Fraser and McNabb visited the base to see the accomplishments made by U.S. service members since a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the Caribbean island on Jan. 12. Gunston Hall, a Whidbey Island-class dock-landing ship, was originally scheduled for a deployment to Africa in support of APS West, but was diverted to help Haitian relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response. 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. (Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class John Stratton)  

02.04.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Southern Command

By Petty Officer 2nd Class John Stratton

KILLICK, Haiti — The commander of U.S. Southern Command visited the medical triage and treatment center, Feb. 3, to observe the teamwork and professionalism between U.S. service members and Haitian volunteers providing medical care to earthquake victims.

Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser toured facilities at the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base and said he was impressed with how well U.S. service members were working together with the Haitian people to accomplish the mission.

"This is a very important partnership," said Fraser. "Our government is pleased with what it continues to see."

The base has been used as a make-shift medical treatment facility since shortly after the devastating earthquake that rocked the Caribbean island, Jan. 12. The clinic has become a light at the end of a very dark tunnel and a huge part of Operation Unified Response, a coordinated effort to provide care and treatment to the people of Haiti.

Fraser, along with Air Force Gen. Duncan McNabb, commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Army Lt. Gen. Ken Keen, commander, Joint Task Force Haiti, the Honorable Kenneth Merten, U.S. ambassador to Haiti, and Lewis Lucke, coordinator for relief efforts in Haiti for United States Agency for International Development toured the base, guided by USS Gunston Hall Commanding Officer Cmdr. Fred Wilhelm, Joint Task Force Bravo Commander, Army Col. Marie Dominguez, and Africa Partnership Station West Commander, Capt. Cindy Thebaud. As they discussed the impact of providing treatment to survivors, they walked together through each step in the process of assessing, treating and helping the wounded.

Wilhelm was pleased to have the opportunity to show Fraser the facility and explain the combined effort of his Sailors with the Haitian people.

"It was a privilege to have Gen. Fraser and distinguished guests here," said Wilhelm. "The Airmen, Sailors, and Soldiers working here today really enjoyed the visit. To have them take the time to come and see firsthand the combined joint and host nation facility that Killick has turned into really means a lot."

Gunston Hall is conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations for Operation Unified Response under control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. Fourth Fleet. NAVSO/C4F is directing all Naval assets and personnel in support of Joint Task Force Haiti, the joint command element directing U.S. military capabilities support to USAID and the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti.

Find out more about Gunston Hall at www.gunston-hall.navy.mil. You can follow Gunston Hall and APS at their respective Facebook pages, www.facebook.com/GunstonHall and www.facebook.com/AfricaPartnershipStation.

• Date Taken: 02.04.2010
• Date Posted: 02.04.2010 07:19
• Story ID: 44883