Back from GTMO!

It's good to be back home, I got back 20Feb. You can check out a few pics in the link to the right. There aren't very many pics of the damage in Haiti. I was fortunate to get to even go to Cuba since I'm on shore duty. It was a good experience, and there's still a lot of work to do there. The first few weeks were pretty busy. Guantanamo Bay took a lot of the large aircraft that Port au Prince was not able to take. We ferried mostly water and MREs (meals ready to eat) or HDRs (humanitarian daily rations). There will be US military there through the summer, but mostly NGOs (non-government organizations) for many months to follow. The girls and I enjoyed playing together this week. Abby was exstatic when I jumped on her bed the Sunday morning I got home.

Maddie's Photo Session

We have Maddie's pictures!! They turned out so good. I will post a link to the album to the right.

Quilt Square

Nanny is making a quilt with cross stitched squares from each family. So, she asked me to make one for my family. Here is the finished product. I had done one years ago for Mom, London and I. I thought this represented our family well.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Girls in their matching shirts! Flowers from Daddy

Happy Valentines Day

Maddie's Photo Session

Maddie had the opportunity to be photographed by our friend Stephanie Beaty on Monday. Here is a link to her site with some of the pics. They turned out great!!!

HM14 in the News

via Joint Task Force Gitmo Public Affairs Officer, http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=44616

Approximately 20 Sailors from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Station Norfolk, VA, are currently providing support to Haiti from US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of Operation Unified Response.

The crew is working around the clock to provide transport of cargo and personnel, both military members and media representatives, to areas in and out of Haiti, as a part of Task Force 48. Operating from Guantanamo Bay, TF-48 is coordinating air and sea assets in the delivery of immediate life-saving humanitarian assistance to Haiti.

"Our mission is critical due to helos being able to land in inaccessible areas," said Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Matthew D Shaw, the squadron maintenance leading petty officer.

The squadron operates the MH-53E Sea Dragon, a carrier-based and other warship-based helicopter. The Sea Dragon acts as a minesweeping aircraft, that can haul up to 55 troops and transport up to a 16-ton payload.

"As maintainers, we keep the aircraft flying," said Airman Richard P. Templin. "If we can't fly, we can't transport passengers and cargo."

Templin considers his job of high importance.

According to Templin, HM-14 has not only transported massive amounts of Meals, Ready to Eat and water, but has also transported Haitians injured in teh disaster to seek medical attention.

"I feel I have helped to do big things here and have played an integral part in Operation Unified Response," said Templin.

Shaw and his crew work continuously to support 15-20 flights each day, making his mechanics valuable assets for Operation Unified Response.

When your 4 year old gets herself dressed

This is what Abby came down in the other day!

Here is what we compromised on.