Homestead helps launch disaster relief into Haiti

Published Jan. 15, 2010
By Ian Carrier
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Relief efforts are in full swing here in response to the disaster in Haiti. Homestead ARB's flightline, usually home to the wing's complement of F-16 fighters, is hosting C-130 cargo planes and an occasional C-17.

Just as in war, this massive humanitarian effort is 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 fly into the airport at Port Au Prince, capital of the island nation. Along with military people, several members of the City of Miami and Miami-Dade county search and rescue units are taking part.

Time is critical. 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.

U.S. Southern Command in Miami is the Department of Defense agency responsible for directing the relief efforts in Haiti.

SOUTHCOM deployed a team of 30 people on two C-130 Hercules aircraft Jan. 13. Onboard were U.S. military engineers, operational planners, communication specialists, and a command and control group. The team is working with U.S. Embassy staffers as well as Haitian, United Nations and international officials to assess the situation and facilitate follow-on U.S. military support. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)