Airlifters haul forces to Haiti

  • Published
  • By Cynthia Bauer
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) --  On Feb. 29, President George W. Bush ordered U.S. Marines into the Republic of Haiti as the leading element of a multinational peacekeeping force sanctioned by the United Nations.

Air Mobility Command aircraft were tapped to bring up to 2,000 Marines into Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, with 18th Air Force officials directing airlift operations through the tanker airlift control center here.

As of March 5, TACC Airmen provided command and control for 37 missions, including a mix of C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, C-141 Starlifter and C-130 Hercules aircraft to lift more than 1,026 troops and more than 1,210 short tons of cargo.

In addition, the officials managed these missions while directing operations supporting the massive troop rotation out of Southwest Asia.

Command officials have not reduced support to the rotation, despite the additional challenge, said Col. Edward Breen, TACC deputy commander. U.S. Central Command officials report that not a single Soldier deploying to or redeploying has been delayed because of the Haiti operations.

"Our airlift crews and maintainers surged to even higher levels than the already very busy operational tempo to support the additional airlift missions for Haiti," Colonel Breen said. "The tanker airlift control center team absorbed the additional workload without hindering any support to the USCENTCOM operations."

Colonel Breen said that he anticipates the current airlift flow to Haiti will continue for several days and then return to normal sustainment levels.

Supporting the Haiti mission is fairly straightforward, said Lt. Gen. William Welser III, 18th Air Force commander.

"Moving the Marines into Haiti is typical of how we operate,” he said. “Anytime there is a situation requiring movement of troops and equipment, (U.S. Transportation Command’s operations directorate) will get together with the appropriate components and start discussions about what needs to be done, and the possible units that will move." (Courtesy of AMC News Service)