Where are the Carriers, helos, CODs, etc? Heading to help with Haitian Relief effort!

[HeyJoe]

100128-N-7918H-209 GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (Jan. 28, 2010) A shipment of Haiti relief supplies is unloaded from a barge at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to be delivered to Haiti. Guantanamo Bay is serving as a logistics hub for supplies and personnel transiting to Haiti to support Operation Unified Response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John K. Hamilton/Released)

 

[ryan1234]

About 2 weeks ago in Santa Domingo.. had a few journalists and some UN pilots in an airport shuttle bus... everyone couldn't say nicer things about the US Navy's involvement in Haiti. Took a picture of the ramp in MDSD... the Russian pilots were pretty nice, anxious to help.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I guess helos don't totally negate the utility of amphibious aircraft. Pretty cool thing; I'm gonna donate.

The problem isn't so much getting planes into Toussant L'Overture, even though that was the news story for the first week or so (because the French and MSF were getting pissy about it, so there was High Drama and Allegations of Incompetence/Evil). The problems are 1) getting supplies distributed, and 2) airlift can only move so much, not enough for a disaster of this scale. Getting a few more pallets in through a seaplane just means the supplies are going to sit piled up somewhere besides the airport, which is not really an improvement. And to make a real dent in the supply problem, you need sealift. The Navy and the Corps of Engineers are just now starting to get the port up and running again.

The Albatross is a neato machine, but it isn't and never was any kind of airlifter - it was a utility/SAR plane. Nor was the problem getting doctors in the country - there are field hospitals set up in northern Haiti with empty beds and doctors with nothing to do, because the state of the roads mean injured can't get there and the medics can't go to them.

Seaplanes can do some things that helos can't; this is true. I salute the idea, and that this group was trying to find solutions to a problem instead of whining that the US military sucks and doesn't know what they're doing. But it also just kinda demonstrates the lack of logistics understanding in the civilian world.

We're in Haiti trying to put out a forest fire with a garden hose. The problem isn't that we don't have enough water.

 

[HeyJoe]

100128-N-2000D-317 CARIBBEAN SEA (Jan. 28, 2010) Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) transfer pallets of food rations from Carter Hall to U.S. Army Landing Craft Unit 2001. Carter Hall is conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 12. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hendrick Dickson/Released)

100127-N-3436L-003 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 27, 2010) A group of 29 Project Hope volunteers board a C-2A Greyhound aircraft assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The group will serve aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort for the next three weeks conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 12. (U.S. Navy photo by Kaylee LaRocque/Released)

100129-N-6692A-051 PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 29, 2010) Sailors execute a vertical replenishment with an MH-60S Sea hawk helicopter aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Harpers Ferry is part of the forward deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting spring patrol. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino/Released)

100128-N-7508R-357 BAIE DE GRAND GOAVE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) Sailors and Marines from the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) offload humanitarian aid from a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) for Haitians in the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. Bataan, along with the amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), is supporting Operation Unified Response and is providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julio Rivera/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100128-N-5345W-308 BAIE DE GRAND GOAVE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter lifts off from the flight deck of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) as a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 heads for the Haitian shore after departing Bataan's well deck. Bataan and the amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) are participating in Operation Unified Response as the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission by providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100128-N-5345W-322 BAIE DE GRAND GOAVE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4, makes its way toward the well deck entrance of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) after delivering humanitarian aid and supplies ashore near Grand Goave, Haiti. Bataan and the amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) are participating in Operation Unified Response as the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission by providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

100128-N-5345W-297 BAIE DE GRAND GOAVE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) off-loads humanitarian supplies off the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conducts operations in the distance. Carter Hall and the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), along with the amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) are participating in Operation Unified Response as the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission by providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

100128-N-5345W-292 BAIE DE PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) operates off the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, while participating in Operation Unified Response, providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the area on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100128-N-5345W-277 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) The Presidential Palace sits in ruins while hundreds of displaced Haitians take shelter in one of the many tent cities just outside the palace's main gate following the 7.0 earthquake that struck the region on Jan. 12, 2010. The multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and the amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) are participating in Operation Unified Response as the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission by providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

100128-N-5345W-077 BAIE DE GRAND GOAVE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 48, looks out from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Sea Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 while flying over the Haiti coastline en route to Port-au-Prince from the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

100128-N-5345W-268 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) A neighborhood is in ruins in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince following the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

100128-N-5345W-148 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) The Roman Catholic cathedral, in the foreground, and the Haiti capital of Port-au-Prince, are in ruins after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

100128-N-5345W-266 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) Thousands of displaced Haitians live in one of the many tent cities located throughout the capital of Port-au-Prince following the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100128-N-5345W-093 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) A Navy air crewman assigned to the Sea Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, waits outside an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter at Aerodome de Jacmel, an airport in Port-au-Prince, after a flight from the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan and the amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) are participating in Operation Unified Response as the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission by providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti in the aftermath of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

100128-N-5345W-108 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) H-60 Sea Hawk helicopters from various U.S. Navy squadrons prepare in the landing zone area at Aerodome de Jacmel, an airport in Port-au-Prince, to load humanitarian aid for delivery at multiple distribution sites throughout Haiti. The multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and the amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) are participating in Operation Unified Response as the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission by providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti in the aftermath of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)

100119-N-0000X-003 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 19, 2010) Chief Logistics Specialist Will Harvey, left, assigned to the Southeast Regional Maintenance Center detachment of the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Jacksonville, inventories supplies on the flight line at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Guantanamo Bay is serving as a logistics hub for supplies and personnel transiting to Haiti to support Operation Unified Response. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

 

[squorch2]

Uh, guys, the MTS, aux tank, and batwings DO come off - no need to tactically VERTREP.

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 transfers pallets of meals, ready-to-eat from the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunitions ship USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2) to the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) while off the coast of Haiti Jan. 27, 2010, in support of Operation Unified Response. The Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development are conducting the operation to provide aid and relief to Haitian citizens affected by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the region Jan. 12, 2010. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan Steinhour, U.S. Navy/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

Don't look for the "Ugly American" in Haiti

And that's after eating MREs!

100128-N-8828S-618 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 28, 2010) Earthquake survivors erect a cardboard monument at the Petionville Country Club in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Club is being used as a field hospital, food distribution location and as a tent city to house 50,000 earthquake survivors after a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused extensive damage Jan. 12 in and around Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (U.S. Navy photo by Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Jason Richard Stephens/Released)

 

[Birdog8585]

From Marine Corps News. 26 JAN 2010.

 

[HeyJoe]

100130-N-1092P-305 Grand Goave, Haiti (Jan. 30, 2010) Capt. Sam Howard, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5), speaks with Lifeline Christian Mission co-founder Gretchen DeVoe in Grand Goave, Haiti. The DeVoes have been active in community outreach in this area for more than 25 years. Sailors are providing medical care for Haitians at the clinic built by Lifeline Christian Ministries and are clearing debris and rubble. Bataan is supporting Operation Unified Response following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that caused severe damage in Haiti on Jan. 12. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Stuart Phillips/Released)

 

[Uncle Fester]

Love it when Shoes play dress-up...

 

[squorch2]

I can hear the heads at Sailor Bob exploding from here...