Part-time Air National Guard organise Haiti relief shipments

THE Florida Air National Guard's 101st Air and Space Operations Group, a part time militia, will perform air operations in emergency response to Haiti with Florida Guardsmen assisting the Haitian government, Federal Aviation Administration, and US Southern Command to coordinating the flow of supplies into Haiti's Port-au-Prince Airport since January 15.

The Florida Air Operations Group used its unique capabilities to establish the Haitian Flight Operations Coordination Centre while operating from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

The model for the coordination centre was developed after Hurricane Katrina to smooth the flow of relief supplies into a disaster area.

"We are supporting the AF South Air Operations Centre, the air component of US Southern Command, 24/7 to provide this capability," said Air Force Col Randall Spear, the AOG commander in a statement. "Supplies from around the world are now flowing into Haiti as a direct result of this effort."

"Previously, aircraft flowing into Haiti had a gridlock of several hours because there was no place to park or unload aircraft," Lt Col Brad Graff, director of the coordination centre and chief of the 601st Air Mobility Division, said. "Now relief supplies - medical, water and food - are steadily flowing into Haiti."

People from all over the world are talking with the Florida airmen to get a slot time on the ramp, Col Spear said, adding that Haitian authorities are only allowing landings from those with a slot time with the coordination centre. The Haitian authorities dictate their priorities and needs to the coordination centre through Southcom.

Florida Guardsmen also are assisting with the flow of air cargo into Homestead Air Reserve Base. They may pick up additional missions in other areas in order to maximise airlift to quake-ravaged Haiti.

(Source: www.schednet.com)