Arctic Hercs and crews rush to help quake-struck Haiti

THE air cargo challenge after the January 12 Haitian earthquake appears to be best met by experienced northern fliers accustomed to air freight handling in the world's most hostile environments - the high Arctic.

Canada's Eskimo-owned First Air, the only Canadian commercial operator of heavylift Lockheed 382 Hercules, has flown two of them to Washington to pick up search and rescue equipment and flew on to Haiti.

Within hours, Alaska's Lynden Air Cargo pilots were flying relief missions out of Washington and they continued to pick up more supplies from US points to deliver in support of humanitarian rescue efforts.

"We are coordinating flights as quickly as possible in cooperation with government authorities," said Lynden president Judy McKenzie.

Ottawa-based First Air said it will also send a Boeing 767-223 Super Freighter this weekend to deliver relief provisions from Toronto to Haiti.

"First Air is pleased to provide critical airlift and financial support to help with the humanitarian efforts being undertaken for this disaster," said First Air president Scott Bateman. "We are mobilising our heavy lift cargo aircraft as quickly as possible to supply vital airlift support to rescue and relief efforts."

The Inuit (Eskimo)-owned airline normally flies north, not south, providing scheduled service to far north destinations of Iqaluit, Yellowknife and 23 other communities.

Anchorage-based Lynden Air Cargo operates six Hercules specialising in remote site service and requires minimal equipment for loading and offloading. The unique features of the aircraft make it ideal for flying aid into disaster areas.

(Source: www.schednet.com)