SAILOR ENJOYS SERVICE OFF THE COAST OF HAITI

OFF THE COAST OF HAITI -- Navy Airman Steven Cook, son of Marion and Barbara Cook of Whitewater is one of 6,000 Navy and about 2,000 Marine Corps members patrolling the waters just miles off the coast of Haiti.

Cook is an aviation ordnanceman on board USS Wasp. Wasp, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is the largest amphibious assault ship in the world.

Cook and the rest of the crew, which includes a Marine contingent, are part of an amphibious ready group (ARG) that has spent the last few months steaming the Caribbean waters off Haiti.

The ARG is part of a larger multi-national task force responsible for carrying out United Nations Security Council sanctions aimed at restoring democracy in Haiti. The ARG also can also provide evacuation capabilities for Haitian citizens if needed.

About 10 Navy ships and several Army and Marine Corps contingents are participating in the Operation Uphold/Support Democracy mission in Haiti.

Cook works with ammunition.

"I also assemble bombs, rockets and missiles," Cook said.

A 1991 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School, he entered the Navy in March 1993.

Brian R. Ellis is a Navy journalist assigned to the Navy Public Affairs Center in Norfolk, Va.