By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Maddelin Angebrand

Continuing Promise Public Affairs

USS KEARSARGE, at sea -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO EIGHT (HSC-28) Detachment 5, currently embarked aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), is proving to be a valuable asset as the ship conducts disaster relief operations in Haiti after a series of devastating tropical storms ravaged the country.

The HSC-28 "Dragon Whales’" ability to perform crucial passenger and cargo transport has been essential to Kearsarge’s success in providing supplies and assistance to the people of Haiti.

”I know being here is off the beaten path of the planned mission, but I believe the focus is still the same,” said HSC-28 pilot Lt. Jeremy Bartowitz. “We are helping these people get things that without us here they probably wouldn’t get.

In a recent flight to Gonaives, HSC-28 made a very special delivery of food and water to an orphanage isolated by water and deep mud.  The only way for the staff and children to receive aid was by an airdrop from one of the squadron’s MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters.

“One American citizen painted a green circle on the top of the orphanage so we could see where to drop the supplies,” said Bartowitz. “There were 45 to 50 kids inside this two story building. The roads were all flooded out and covered in mud.  There were people trudging in the mud waist deep.”

The squadron is specifically trained to quickly drop in and pick up cargo and personnel where other means of transport are not possible.  With a clear view to make the drop, the pilots slowly lowered in food supplies and water.

Logistical support is only part of HSC-28’s mission while assisting with disaster relief support. 

Pilots and crew members are also trained to conduct search and rescue operations. For one stranded American citizen living in Haiti, HSC-28 was able to respond in a moments notice to do what they are trained to do.

“Initial planning stages noted that she was an elderly woman with diabetes. She was out of insulin, running low on food, and she was bad off,” said Lt. Robert Holihan, HSC-28 pilot.           “There were parts of the town where she lived that were washed out; you could see trucks, cars and buses that were stuck in the mud and people were wadding in streets filled with water.”

HSC-28 was able to rescue the woman and transport her to Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, where additional medical assistance was waiting.     

“We had a corpsman with us who did an assessment when we picked her up,” said Holihan. “She was able to walk, but you could tell she was in pain. The ambulance was waiting for us when we landed to take her to a hospital.”

Being called upon to assist in an actual disaster relief effort brings a sense of reward to the pilots and crew members. After landing from a long day of flight they reflect back and see what a difference they can make in someone’s life.

“It is probably the coolest thing I have done since I have been a helicopter pilot,” said Holihan “Helping someone in a bad situation… is pretty cool.”

The Dragon Whales will remain embarked on Kearsarge for the duration of a scheduled four-month deployment, conducting similar missions and looking forward to helping out wherever they can.

“Our primary mission is so others may live. Anytime someone needs help, that is where you will see us,” said Bartowitz.   “Where everyone else won’t launch, when others won’t fly, that is when we help the people.”

HSC-28 is homeported in Norfolk, Va., and deploys with units of the Second, Fifth and Sixth Fleets. Squadron aircraft and personnel deploy in a "team concept" as sea-going detachments consisting of six pilots, 24 enlisted members, one maintenance officer and two MH-60S helicopters.