Help to Haiti

  • Published
  • By Ian Carrier
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Relief efforts are in full swing at Homestead Air Reserve Base in response to the disaster in Haiti. The flightline, usually home to the wing's complement of F-16 fighters, has been hosting more and more C-130 cargo planes along with the occasional C-17.

Just as in war, this massive humanitarian effort has become a joint operation. Almost as soon as news of the disaster broke, components of the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard began staging troops, equipment and supplies to be flown to Port Au Prince airport. Along with the military personnel, were several members of the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County search and rescue units.

Time is critical in situations like this, and as much food, water and manpower that can be mustered are being shipped as quickly as possible.

"Air Force Reservists from Homestead Air Reserve Base are providing outstanding support for our nation's relief efforts for the Haitian earthquake victims," said Brig. Gen. William B. Binger, 482nd Fighter Wing commander.

Also offering assistance in the relief efforts is U.S. Southern Command.

SOUTHCOM deployed a team of 30 people on two C-130 Hercules aircraft, Jan 13, which included U.S. military engineers, operational planners, communication specialists, and a command and control group. The team will work with U.S. Embassy personnel as well as Haitian, United Nations and international officials to assess the situation and facilitate follow on U.S. military support.