The Foreign Service Journal, April 2010

A P R I L 2 0 1 0 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 23 is why I am very proud and grateful to be part of this mission.” The Jan. 22 interview was widely covered in the Senegalese media. Three Weeks of Aid The Gunston Hall departed Hait- ian waters on Feb. 11, after three weeks at Killick. In that time, they transported crew members ashore, manned the flight deck for 50 heli- copter refuelings, used cranes to load humanitarian and relief supplies onto the embarked landing-craft mechanized units, and ran well-deck operations to make sure the units were on- loaded and offloaded safely. They moved a total of 355 tons of food, water and sup- plies, including 4,820 gallons of fuel, 218 tons of food and 10 tons of water. The embarked Maritime Civil Affairs Team 203 distributed aid to areas affected by the earth- quake for countless hours. They delivered or arranged delivery of mattresses, tents, relief supplies and food, including more than 900 packages of high-nutrition meals. A total of 325,603 meals were pro- vided. Some sailors served as stretcher bearers, carrying 409 patients onto 127 helicopter flights out from the base landing zone to either the USNS Comfort or other locations. Others, such as Gunston Hall ’s Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team, provided security for the landing zone during flight operations. The three public affairs offices effectively publicized the participation of West African officers in the Haiti relief effort, ensuring that these local heroes will receive a warm welcome when they return to the Gulf of Guinea later this year. ■ F O C U S They moved a total of 355 tons of food, water and supplies, including 4,820 gallons of fuel, 218 tons of food and 10 tons of water.