The Whidbey Island-class amphibious ship, USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), was scheduled to deploy in support of Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response in the aftermath of Haiti's devastating earthquake Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va. The ship was already scheduled to deploy on that date in support of the Africa Partnership Station (APS), but is being diverted to assist other U.S. Navy and Marine Corps units in providing humanitarian support. Those units include: - USS Bataan (LHD 5) - USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) - USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) - 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit - USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - USS Normandy (CG 60) - USS Underwood (FFG 36) - USS Higgins (DDG 76) - USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) Other units prepared to provide assistance include P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and sea-based helicopters, to include the H-53 Sea Stallion and H-60 Seahawk. Providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in the wake of natural and man-made disasters is a core Navy mission. Once Gunston Hall's humanitarian mission is complete, it will continue on to complete its Africa Partnership deployment. The ship is commanded by U.S. Navy Cmdr. Fred Wilhelm. Note: U.S. Naval Forces Africa is the martime component of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).