Military father watches daughter's birth from overseas

TYLER, TX (KLTV) -

There was a special delivery Thursday morning as an East Texas mother gave birth to a healthy little girl.

Four generations of family made it to little Ellarie Mohn's birth, but it was not easy since Ellarie's father is stationed in Japan.

"There we go," smiled Dr. Paul Fanning as he lifted little Ellarie up for family to see.

Ellarie weighs 8 pounds and 12 oz. 

"I'm so blessed, just so blessed. She is so perfect," said Ellarie's mother, Erica McCraine.

What makes this day even more special is that McCraine's husband was able to be a part of this unforgettable moment all the way from Japan.

"Honestly, I was just happy when I heard her screaming and knowing she was healthy," said McCraine's husband, Jesse Mohn.

Mohn said he is an Aviation Technician Petty Officer 1st Class, stationed at the Yokosuka Naval Base and was not even sure if FaceTiming would be a possibility. However, thanks to timing, technology and a determined family, he did not miss a second.

"I'm going to see you in a little bit, little girl," Mohn said before his wife was taken into surgery.

Dr. Fanning introduced himself to Ellarie's dad via FaceTime, something he said he has never done before.

"Great day for a birthday party; wish you could be here live, but this is the next best thing," Dr. Fanning said.

"This is unbelievable. At no time in history have I been able to have something like this. It's very, very cool," Dr. Fanning said.

Four generations of family were all present for little Ellarie's birth, including big brother Benjamin.

"We have a beautiful little girl," happy dad Mohn said.

"My first through is that she is perfect," McCraine's mom said as she leaned over her brand new granddaughter.

Mohn and McCraine said it will probably be December or January before they are all reunited, but McCraine said having family here by her side is exactly what will carry her through until they are all together again.

"There's really no words to describe how amazing it is to be able to hold you baby girl, to be able to have your husband here watching and to know that he will be able to hold her soon as well," McCraine said.

McCraine said she, Ellarie and Benjamin will join Mohn in Japan at the end of this year.

Copyright 2013 KLTV. All rights reserved.

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Britain's Prince William to leave military

Britain's Prince William takes part in a trade on the trading floor of BGC Partners in London September 11, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/Chris Jackson/pool

LONDON | Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:18am EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince William, who became a father for the first time in July, is to step down from the military and will focus on his charity and royal duties for the immediate future, his office said on Thursday.

William, 31, second in line to the throne, has been working as a search and rescue helicopter pilot with Britain's Royal Air Force in north Wales and has spent 7-1/2 years in the armed forces.

"This is a transitional year for him," a spokeswoman said. "He's going to take this year to focus on his charity work, his royal engagements and particularly his work in the field of conservation."

The prince is considering options for a future role in public service and will not be going into full-time royal duties yet, she said.

"It will be a very busy year for him: he's got quite a lot on, so you'll see him out and about quite a lot," she added.

Most pressing for William will be his role as a father following the recent birth of son Prince George, while he and wife Kate are due to move into their official renovated residence at London's Kensington Palace in the next few weeks.

There has also been speculation in the media that William, Kate and baby George will make an official visit to Australia next year.

"It is fair to assume that they will be taking a tour in 2014," said the spokeswoman, adding the birth of his son had not played a role in his decision to quit the armed forces.

William, known as Flight Lieutenant Wales to his colleagues, began military life in the army as a lieutenant in the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals before joining the RAF.

As a search and rescue pilot, he conducted 156 operations, helping 149 people in the process, said Wing Commander Mark "Sparky" Dunlop, his squadron commander.

"These missions were conducted across Wales, northwest England and the Irish Sea in a range of weather conditions which tested the crew's airmanship skills and determination," he said. "I have flown with him and been very impressed with his flying ability and I'd be happy to fly with him again."

(Reporting by Michael Holden, editing by Paul Casciato)

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Egypt sends journalist to military court for 'aiding militants'

CAIRO | Wed Sep 11, 2013 1:05pm EDT

CAIRO (Reuters) - An army prosecutor sent an Egyptian journalist to a military court on Wednesday for allegedly publishing false news and tipping Islamist militants to the location of troops in the Sinai region bordering on Israel, an army statement said.

Ahmed Abu Deraa of the privately owned al-Masry al-Youm daily was charged with "harming national security by providing militants with locations of security forces in Sinai", according to a statement sent to the newspaper and seen by Reuters.

The newspaper has called for his release and provided him with a lawyer, who could not be reached for comment on the case.

A colleague of Abu Deraa, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the newspaper, said the reporter was accused of spreading false news in an interview with a private television station and in Twitter messages.

Since the army overthrew elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July, civil rights groups have voiced fears of a return to the authoritarian era of former President Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted by a pro-democracy uprising in 2011.

His rule was marked by human rights' abuses and the use of military tribunals to prosecute activists, journalists and political opponents.

Abu Deraa was arrested earlier this month in north Sinai, where militants have stepped up attacks since Mursi's removal.

The army launched an offensive against Islamist militants in the lawless peninsula this week involving dozens of tanks as well as armored vehicles and attack helicopters. At least 30 people were killed or wounded and nine arrested.

Six army officers were killed on Wednesday in two car bomb explosions near military units in Sinai.

Another 10 soldiers and seven civilians were wounded in the attacks that took place in the border town of Rafah, adjoining the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

(Reporting and writing by Yasmine Saleh; Editing by Paul Taylor)

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Hawaii: Famous military aircraft joins Pearl Harbor museum (LA Times)

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