Technology enables deployed Soldier to watch first daughter’s birth

Published Feb. 4, 2012
By 1st Lt. Cammie Quinn
PRT Paktya public affaris

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- When he received word that his wife was in labor, one deployed Soldier knew 7,000 miles couldn't keep him from her side.

U.S. Army Maj. James Johnson, Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team operations officer, watched via Skype, as his wife gave birth to their first daughter in Virginia, recently.

Johnson said even though he is deployed to Afghanistan, he knew his obligation was with his wife in the delivery room.

Before she went into labor, Johnson said he tried calling his wife, and when he couldn't reach her, he called a mutual friend. His wife answered and said simply, "My water broke. I'm going to the hospital."

"That changed things," Johnson said.

Johnson immediately organized a strategy to be with his wife, in the most direct method available.

Johnson borrowed headphones from a co-worker, and sat himself in front of a computer in morale, welfare and recreation center where he watched his daughter's birth via Skype.

Johnson witnessed, coached and motivated his wife as she gave birth to a baby girl weighing in at seven pounds, 13 ounces measuring 19 inches long.

"I'm thankful for the technology to be able to connect from a world away," Johnson said. "Although it's a little different watching such a personal experience with a room full of strangers, it's better than not participating at all."

Johnson said his wife was excited to have him there, considering the situation.

"He is my brain," his wife said. "He coached me through it all, and provided me the calm voice I needed."

The major added the birth went smoothly, and attributed the success to the family's well-developed care plan.

"A friend dedicated herself to my wife before and during the birth, and our families have supported her through the entire experience," Johnson said. "It's an easy process when you have such a good support structure."

"I'm very, thankful for and proud of my wife, and excited to have a new addition to our family," Johnson added.

Johnson is returning home for leave, during which he said he will greet the newest addition to the family.

"I'll most likely absorb the associated baby tasks, spend time with the family, eat good food that I've been missing and try to spend an equal amount of time with my daughter and her older brother, Caleb," Johnson said.

Johnson and his wife are from Mobile, Ala. He received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Furman University, S.C. He is deployed from Washington D.C., where he serves as a foreign area officer.

Paktya PRT is a joint, inter-agency civilian-military team. The team is dedicated to partnering with the Government of Afghanistan to extend its authority in order to facilitate the development of a stable and secure environment.