Robins officials welcome returning members from Haiti mission

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Robert Talenti
  • 689th Combat Communications Wing
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) --  Six members of the 53rd Combat Communications Squadron deployable initial communications element team returned here March 16 from a six-week deployment to Haiti where the team supported Operation Unified Response.

The team consisting of Capt. Joel Nelson, Tech. Sgt. Turvon Casey, Staff Sgts. Jon Hutchins, Jerome Graham and Trenton Morgan and Senior Airman Travis Meyer were part of the humanitarian effort to assist Haiti after the devastating earthquake.

The team deployed to Haiti to provide communications support including phones, internet and video feeds to the Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support unit deployed there. The team also boosted morale by providing both Internet access and the ability to make phone calls to the states for hundreds of deployed members in the area.

The team also assisted the EMEDS staff during their deployment, assisting with bringing patients to and from their camp and to the Navy hospital ship, the USNS Comfort. During the team's deployment, the EMEDS unit treated more than 2,500 patients.

The team also engaged in joint operations at the Port-au-Prince airport with the 3rd Combat Communications Group from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.