In the nick of time

That was what Lt. j.g. Timothy Bierbach and his wife, Colleen asked when discussing the events surrounding the birth of their first child Addison Aug. 16. The story of what he and Colleen experienced as she delivered at Naval Hospital Jacksonville illustrates how the Navy pulls together to care for their own.

In her 36th week, Colleen had been followed throughout her pregnancy by Naval Hospital Jacksonville Obstetrics and Gynecology Department Head Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Breazeale.

They knew that this was to be a complicated birth, with the baby in a breech position and they had planned an early amniocentesis and induction for Aug. 16.

Baby Addison had her own ideas though. Mom's water broke on Aug. 15, while she was at work in a business near University Boulevard. An ambulance was quickly called and with sirens wailing, she was transported to the naval hospital.

Dad was airborne as all this was happening. A young, prior-enlisted officer who had 10 years service behind him as an enlisted gunner's mate, Tim was training at VP-30 as a naval flight officer (NFO). This was his final Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization flight which would qualify him as a NFO in preparation to deploy soon with his new squadron, VP-45.

Miles out to sea over the Atlantic, the crew received a radio message that a crewman's wife was in labor. Tim, not thinking anything was supposed to happen until the following day, had to be convinced by the rest of the crew that it was his wife they were referring to.

Finally, the pilot, Lt. Dennis Jensen had to

tell him to listen to his NFO instructor. That instructor, Lt. Stuart Anderson, an Australian on this internationally-crewed flight, told him, "Mate, we're not kidding."

Jenson headed the flight back toward NS Mayport requesting expedited clearance past NS Mayport and to NAS Jacksonville. VP-30 contacted NAS Jacksonville Air Operations and their flight moved to the front of the line for approach and landing.

Meanwhile, Breazele had also been reached on his cell phone. Although he was on leave, he was near NAS Jacksonville on I-95 and decided to come in for the procedure. As he entered the gates, Breazele recalled seeing a P-3 making an unusual approach to the runway with a steep bank. He said he figured it was either Bierbach's plane or a plane with a problem.

That was Tim's aircrew getting their shipmate to the party on time. When they taxied to the hangar, they hurried him to the parking lot where he found the squadron had a command car ready to whisk him to the hospital. Hurrying into the fifth floor surgical area, hospital staff tossed him sterile garb, to pull on over his flight suit before entering the operating room. Breazele had just arrived as well.

Ten minutes later, the Bierbach's first-born, who Colleen was told was coming with or without dad, was delivered by Caesarean birth and briefly placed in the arms of his recovering mother. Born at just 36 weeks and four days, the 5-pound, 5-ounce, 18-inch baby girl is healthy and clearly the light in her parents' eyes.

Within minutes of the delivery, Tim was on the hospital's video e-mail laptops sending pictures to some excited grandparents while mom recovered from the procedure. "It was amazing that I was able to walk from the delivery room to our room, lay the baby down under the heater, take a picture of her and send it to the grandparents instantaneously," he said.

Addison shares a birthday with Tim's mother, who said the new grandchild is the best birthday present she's ever received. Colleen had earlier planned on being the maid of honor at her sister's wedding in Maine. But Addison's early arrival changed that plan as well. Tim and Colleen said their families are already planning a series of visits from the Skippback area of Pennsylvania to see the newest Bierbach.

Colleen said she received great help from a close friend on base, Michelle Dillard, in getting everything together for her hospital stay. She said that despite some cell phone delays, Michelle was there for her had Tim not made it. Lying in that operating room, she was beginning to get concerned that neither her husband nor Breazele would be there, and was very relieved when both made it just in time.

The Bierbach's said that they had great support from their entire Navy family. That included base friends as well as shipmates and spouses at VP-30. They were very grateful for how the aircrew Tim was flying with went to such lengths to get him back on time. They also appreciated the extra mile that all the doctors, nurses and hospital corpsmen on the hospital's labor and delivery team and maternal infant unit went to for them.

Both said their experience at the hospital has been excellent. "The entire staff has been more than supportive of us. We've got absolutely everything," he added.

By the way, Tim was told coming off the plane that he passed his qualifications. He is now excited about joining his new squadron and continuing his Navy adventure, but he's glad that Addison made such an effort to see her dad before he deployed.

Both said they've heard great things about VP-45 and their family support network and they know they will continue to enjoy their experience in the Navy family.