Carrier Strike Group Two Officer Promoted in Haiti

Courtesy Photo | Commander, Carrier Strike Group 2 Rear Adm. Dave Thomas, right, conducts a promotion ceremony for Lt. Cmdr. John Laney near the Combined Task Force 41 command tent outside the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Feb. 1. Laney, the CCSG 2 explosive ordnance officer, deployed from Norfolk, Va., as part of Operation Unified Response, Jan. 17, just five days after a 7.0-magnitude devastated the island nation.  

HAITI

02.01.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Navy           

The explosive ordnance officer for Commander, Carrier Strike Group 2 was scheduled for promotion, Feb. 1. The event went according to plan, except the location had changed — drastically.

Lt. Cmdr. John Laney was promoted by Rear Adm. Dave Thomas, CSG 2 commander, in a short ceremony near the Combined Task Force 41 command tent outside of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Laney deployed from Norfolk, Va., as part of Operation Unified Response, Jan. 17, just five days after a 7.0-magnitude devastated the island nation. Laney joined the rest of the CSG 2 Staff in Haiti, Jan. 28.

Laney, originally from Portland, Ore., is working on the Task Force with the operation's watch ashore element, coordinating the employment of military assets to deliver humanitarian aid and assistance to the people of Haiti.

"It was a unique experience to be promoted while here doing the job that we train so hard to do," said Laney. "I only wish my family could have been there."

Thomas assumed command of CTF 41, the U.S. Navy's sea-based element supporting JTF-Haiti, Feb 1, and conducted Laney's promotion ceremony shortly after.

The Norfolk-based CSG 2 will eventually embark on America's newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting flight deck certification.

• Date Taken: 02.01.2010
• Date Posted: 02.09.2010 01:26
• Story ID: 45120
• Location: HT