Troops using Skype to view the birth of their babies

With just a computer and an Internet connection, deployed military members are able to connect with their families during one of the most precious moments for a parent.

The 445th Combat Communications Squadron at the Shindand Air Base in Afghanistan is using Skype to enable airmen to watch live video of their children being born. A computer and telephone are placed in a private area, where they can join in the experience from thousands of miles away.

In a video released by the Defense Department on Wednesday, the airmen talk about how the "tough time" for their families is made easier through the use of technology:

How does this work at the hospital? To get an idea, watch this local news report about one Oregon woman who used Skype to communicate with her husband stationed in North Carolina. Nurses assisted them in ensuring that the webcam was in place in the birthing room.