I am overwhelmed with gratitude when I hear about the miracles that are going on in Haiti. I want to share one of those with you.
Just this morning, the U.S. State Department shared an interview with Air Force Colonel Buck Elton, the Commander of the Joint Special Operations in Haiti. He's handling airport operations at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince.
The U.S. effort was launched within seven hours after the earthquake. When the Special Operations team arrived at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, they established air traffic control in the infield grass of the airfield. Within 28 minutes after landing they had established a collaborative relationship with the Haitian authorities and were sequencing flights. Within the next five days, the airport handled over 600 flights.
Yesterday, 149 planes landed at the airport -- at an airport that handled only three flights a day when it was fully functional before the earthquake. With U.S. assistance, it is now handling over 140 flights per day.
This amazing work is being done by our military while operating without electricity, phones, computers or radar.
Yes, it's being done without electricity, phones, computers or radar. The work is also hampered by fuel shortages and the limitations of a 10,000 foot airfield with one runway that must be used for both takeoffs and landings. In addition, there is only room for 12 planes to be on the ground (grass) at any time, and there is room for only one wide-body plane at a time. It takes five hours to unload a plane, and landings must be carefully planned in conjunction with all the aid groups and governments involved.
Yesterday's handling of 149 flights is nothing short of miraculous. And this is happening day after day!
While some have expressed frustration that the speed and scope of the international response is too slow, it may help to know that here in the San Francisco Bay Area -- with three major airports, many county airports, a first-world infrastructure, and buildings and highways built to meet strict earthquake codes -- we are told to prepare to be without any assistance whatsoever for four to five days if there is an earthquake. (We are directed to have emergency supplies, including first aid materials on hand, to cover this time.)
Given the severe limitations of the situation, the work that is being done in Haiti and the speed with which it is being done, is amazing. The ingenuity and cooperative spirit of all of those who are involved in this world-wide effort is cause for gratitude!
To follow what's happening, check the State Department's blog: http://blogs.state.gov
or
the U.S. Southern Command at: http://www.southcom.mil/AppsSC/news.php?storyId=2051
