Sgt. Eric Fraley is 7,500 miles away, at a military base in Afghanistan.

But on Sunday night the Marine was in the room at Kapi'olani Medical Center when his first child was being born, coaching his wife through breathing techniques, thanks to video conferencing technology.

The Fraleys were able to see each other on television screens equipped with cameras and microphones. The hookup was part of a pilot project that uses military satellites to expand opportunities for video conferencing for troops in Afghanistan through the Freedom Calls Foundation, a nonprofit that sets up the links.

Eric Fraley was away from his base on a mission when his wife, Crystal, went into labor Sunday.

By the time he was hooked up by video, she had been in labor for 11 hours. Ten hours after that, about 10 p.m. Sunday, Crystal Fraley gave birth to a healthy baby girl, who weighed 7 pounds, 21 ounces. The couple, both 24, named her Caydence.

In her hospital room yesterday afternoon, Crystal Fraley held Caydence gingerly in her arms as she talked to her husband again during a second video link-up.

The couple said that the video technology helped them ease the sting of being apart during such an important time for their family.

"He got to be as much a part of it as if he were right there in the room in person," Crystal Fraley said. "Having him there was an amazing thing."

Eric Fraley, assigned to Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kane'ohe Bay, said he's eager to get home to hold his baby. Fraley has been in Afghanistan for six months. He is scheduled to return in about a month.

"The only thing that could beat this is being there in person," he said yesterday. "I'll settle for this for now," he added.

Freedom Calls set up the video link-up at Kapi'olani as part of a pilot project for deployed troops. The nonprofit focuses most of its efforts on those deployed to Iraq, and links up soldiers for special family occasions, including births and graduations.

John Harlow, Freedom Calls founder and executive director, said the new pilot program uses a U.S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command satellite and has so far helped about 15 Marines and soldiers with a video link up to see loved ones back home.

He said the pilot program will help greatly expand the number of sites in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait where Freedom Calls link-ups are possible.

Harlow added that Afghanistan in particular has presented barriers for video hook-ups because of poor telecommunications infrastructure.