As Haiti reels from a lethal earthquake over the weekend, the U.S. authorities and army have stepped as much as help with aid efforts within the wake of the devastation.
Crews out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville have been a part of that effort, flying a P8 Poseidon plane over the Caribbean nation to survey the harm from above and assist these on the bottom present medical help to the wounded and injured.
News4Jax traveled with a patrol squadron crew during one of its missions Thursday, seeing among the harm left behind from roughly 10,000 toes within the air throughout the 10-hour flight.
Crew members mentioned their mission is to assist save lives and it’s rewarding to assist a rustic in want.
“Missions like this, it brings crew nice delight,” mentioned Lt. Cmdr. Darryl Abriam, the mission commander and tactical coordinator.
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Kevin Pahalek, the first acoustic operator, echoed that sentiment, saying missions just like the flight over Haiti are the rationale he joined the Navy within the first place.
“I wished to be a part of one thing larger than I used to be again dwelling,” Pahalek instructed News4Jax. “I graduated highschool, I didn’t have any plans, I used to be simply Free Willy. Then I joined the Navy, so I may very well be a part of one thing massive like this.”
As soon as the plane arrived, Pahalek operated the digital camera to supply a birds-eye view of the harm in Haiti, the place 2,100 individuals died, and 1000’s of houses and buildings had been destroyed by the quake.
The crew was tasked with surveying harm in 70 completely different areas.
“I’ll get eyes on an space,” Pahalek mentioned. “I’ll word something of worthiness – if buildings are damaged, if there’s any individuals displaced from the realm, in the event that they’re congregating and any kind of well being or medical suppliers as properly.”
The plane by no means touched the bottom, however cameras allowed the crew to scope out makeshift houses comprised of tents in soccer stadiums. The crew additionally communicated with completely different companies to allow them to know the place to ship injured sufferers.
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“We started working once more with the helicopters on station, we received to relay the communications for them, to allow them to know the place to go together with the med evacs and to get them again to the hospital safely,” Cpt. Matt Pottenburgh instructed News4Jax.
Crew members mentioned their mission will proceed so long as they’re wanted. And whereas it’s tough to see the kind of harm and devastation they present in Haiti, they’re grateful to have the ability to assist.
“Any kind of assist that we will present to them is excellent,” Pahalek mentioned.
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