PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - U.S. Army Forces Command ordered the 56th Multi-Functional Medical Battalion, out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, to deploy in support of Operation Unified Response. It would serve as the command and control element for Joint Task Force-Haiti's medical task force and be aligned under the Joint Logistics Command-Haiti (manned by the 377th Theater Sustainment Command from Belle Chasse, La.).

Assigned to them, to carry out their mission taskings, were six Army units, a U.S. Navy unit and a U.S. Air Force unit.

"Adding joint capabilities shows we do not have to operate Army centric [or Navy or Air Force centric] to get the job done. The Army has capabilities that match those of our sister services [speaking from the stand point of medical units], but they may not exist in this area of operations," said 56 MMB Commander, Lt. Col. Anthony Nesbitt, of New York City, N.Y.

The 56th MMB accepted the call and hit the ground running. Its capabilities included acquisition and storage of blood through the 153rd Medical Detachment (Blood Support) from JBLM.

The 56th MMB also accomplished missions directly supporting the people of Haiti. It coordinated with NGO's to support evacuation of certain medical cases to the University Hospital, Miami, Fla. The JTF-Bravo MST treated 1800+ Haitians (mostly orthopedic cases) at their location near Killick, Haiti. In coordination with the government of Haiti, the 6th MLMC and the 583rd MLC refurbished and updated Promess Warehouse, the National medical supply warehouse for all of Haiti. Also in coordination with the government of Haiti's minister of Agriculture the 43rd Med. Det. helped revive the National Vaccination Program for rabies by vaccinating over 9000 animals in several locations throughout Haiti. The 56 MMB is presently seeking ways to support area hospitals and clinics run by NGOs to provide for the long-term healthcare needs of the people of Haiti.

When asked about the structure of this MMB in Haiti, Nesbitt said, "This is precisely what an MMB is designed for. To be able to tailor medical capabilities to fit mission parameters and maximize the healthcare provided in its area of responsibility. And in this case it worked!"

Active leadership applied to diligent and competent units with dedicated service members rallying to a heartfelt cause was the prescription needed to bring Haiti through its early healthcare woes. The 56th MMB and its subordinate units wrote that prescription well.

"This speaks to our service members, the supporters we have at home stations and most importantly the families we have backing us up" said 56 th MMB Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Pumphrey, of Dayton, Ohio.