Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Fifteen men and women from Hill Air Force Base spent their first full day in Haiti Saturday. They got to work right away on helping with airport operations.
The reservists from the 67th aerial port squadron specialize in airport operations and they're all volunteers. They didn't have to go on this mission, but when the call came, they answered.
With so much aid going to Haiti, the airport has to be functioning for that aid to get to people quickly. This squadron's expertise is desperately needed.
"That's what we're trained to do, so we're going to do our best to help Haitians," said squadron Sgt. Ken Wilson. "We're just so excited to be here and go to work now."
Friday was a day of contrasts for the 15 squadron members. They left Hill Air Force Base in the morning and arrived in Haiti in the evening. They traded the cold for hot humidity, and comfort for chaos. But they were welcomed at the hectic airport in Haiti's capitol of Port-au-Prince.
"What these porters are going to do here is double our capability, help us get that cargo off the planes twice as quickly, so those planes can get back in the air and more planes can get in," said Capt. Dustin Doyle of McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. "Basically what they are doing is doubling our ability to perform this humanitarian mission."
Doyle said they have had 100 million pounds of cargo come in over the past eight days. This is all happening with an Air Force special tactics team directing flights from a grassy field because the control tower and airport are cracked and crumbling.
One airport worker affected by the earthquake said he thinks American help is the only way his country will make a comeback.
"There are many U.S. planes that come to help us, and it's really, really good," said Eddy Bain, a native of Haiti. "I always say ‘God bless America.'"
The team from Hill quickly unloaded the C-17 and was then whisked away for processing and briefing.
It would've been easier to send money to a relief organization to help Haitians, but these Air Force reservists said their background allows them to do more. "To actually get feet on the ground and hands in the air, and do a little more than just send a check," said Tech Sgt. Jeff Kane.
Maj. Averie Payton isn't with Hill Air Force Base, but he's the pilot of the C-17 that picked the squadron up. He's been to earthquakes in Pakistan, wildfires in Australia and helped with the tsunami in Thailand.
He said this mission to Haiti might be the most important. "I think that is what makes this job so exciting and why I love it so much, because you never know what you're going to do," Payton said.
There is a large U.S. military presence in the country, and the group from Hill adds to it. "I'm excited. I'm seeing more people on the streets and more supplies coming out. I'm actually seeing progress," said Patricia Lafontant, a registered nurse.
The reservists are expected to be at the Port-au-Prince airport for 45 days, then another squadron is expected to take their place.
"This operation is going to be a major effort for the United States for a very long time," said Hill Air Force Base Col. Walter Sams.
The squadron's C-17 cargo plane also dropped off nearly 580,000 pounds of medical and dental supplies, FEMA tents, heavy machinery and bottled water. It returned to the United States with several dozen Haitian refugees and relief workers on board.
"There is hope, definitely hope for Haiti," Lafontant said.
------
Story compiled with contributions from Alex Cabrero and Mary Richards.
