Posted on 01/15/2010 7:10:07 AM PST by Ready4Freddy
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrived off the coast of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 15 to commence humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Carl Vinson received orders from U.S. Southern Command to deliver assistance to the Caribbean nation following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake which caused catastrophic damage within the capital city Jan. 12. The aircraft carrier's speed, flexibility and sustainability make it an ideal platform to carry out relief operations.
"Our initial focus is to concentrate on saving lives while providing first responder support to the people of Haiti. Our assistance here reflects our nation's compassion and commitment to those impacted by this tragedy," said Rear. Adm. Ted Branch, commander of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and the U.S. Navy's sea-based humanitarian support mission of Haiti.
The carrier arrived on station with a robust airlift capability, picking up extra helicopters while in transit that will will prove essential during the mission.
Carl Vinson commanding officer Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey said, "When tasked to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Haiti, we immediately headed to Mayport, Fla., at more than 30 knots and loaded 19 helicopters, personnel and support equipment from five different East Coast Navy squadrons in less than eight hours. There is no other platform that can do all of that so quickly."
U.S. Southern Command is well-versed in providing humanitarian assistance to the region. Since 2005, the command has led U.S. military support to 14 major relief missions, including assistance to Haiti in September 2008. During that mission, U.S. military forces airlifted 3.3 million pounds of aid to communities that were devastated by a succession of major storms.
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Thompson, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
Maybe the helos flew onto the CVN from the base.
Does a carrier have the capability to coordinate air traffic control for the Haiti airport?
Greta Van Sustern was on Bill Bennet this morning and commented on the problems with controlling the airspace from Miami with delays to get permission to land from Haitian officials.
Plus, there are planes on the ground without sufficient fuel to take off and they’re cluttering the airport preventing further landings of relief and personnel.
Seems a carrier could solve both of these problems, plus more.
I would think that the USAF or even the US Army would have units that could establish a "shake 'n bake" air traffic control without tying up the carrier. The Vinson is going to have enough to do shuttling helicopters in/out at a furious pace.
Plus it can provide fresh water, generate electricity and provide hospital beds
THe USAF has a COmbat Control team on site and is running the airport. That is local airspace control. They need a wide area ‘throttle’ to ensure not too many planes arrive at once...
Yesterday as many as 10 c-130s/C17 were i the pattern wating for a landing slot.
Now th eissue is with specialized ground handeling equipment and forklifts - or more properly, the lack of.
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The U.S.S. Washington arrived in Port au Prince and the marines had the situation under control that same night.
With all due respect to the men and women on the Vinson, it's been 3 days and they're just now getting there. Responding takes time, but they were already bashing Bush within a day of Katrina. If the marines could make it to Haiti in only a day back in 1915, Obama's 3 days in 2010 is unacceptable.
Looks like it’s about 150 miles from Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo.
And anyone who flies in without enough fuel to fly back out? Take a bulldozer and shove the plane out of the way.
Lemme think....no way to airlift back in 1915. I doubt if troop transports could make much more than 15 knts back then.(if that) Could it be that the Marines were on ships just over the horizon waiting? That maybe our gov't knew something was gonna happen?
Now I have no use whatever for Zer0, but I think you're barking up the wrong tree here.
I don't know whether a carrier's ATC could handle traffic loads, you may have a point there.
Saw on a news channel last night that the AF was setting up ATC at the airport and that it is self-contained (food, water, etc.) for 30-45 days. The US military had just powered the lights at the airport to allow night landings.
Time to re-build the port and get it ready for the relief aid—can’t do it all by air. Where are the Seabees? They need a hospital ship there ASAP.
That's the same as most modern-day cruise liners, which routinely do the Miami-to-central Caribbean trip in a day's time.
Washington conducted sub-caliber practices, observed political conditions, and conducted torpedo practices off the ports of Tampico, Tuxpan, Progreso, and Veracruz into the summer. Receiving provisions and stores from the supply ship Celtic off Progreso on 26-27 June, the armored cruiser sailed for Guantánamo where she coaled and took on water on 30 June. She sailed the same day for Cape Haitien, as all reports from the American minister there indicated that yet another crisis was brewing.
While Washington awaited further developments at Cape Haitien, events in Port-au-Prince deteriorated, moving American Charge d'Affaire Davis to send a telegram on 27 July to the Secretary of State, Robert Lansing, reporting the troubled conditions. He reported that President Sam and some of his men had been surrounded in the presidential palace and that the presence of American war vessels was desirable.
In accordance with that message, the Navy dispatched Washington to that port. Meanwhile, Sam took refuge in the French legation where he hoped that diplomatic immunity would prevail. The mobs of angry Haitians, however, were not concerned with such international niceties: they invaded the legation at 10:30 on 28 July 1915, forcibly removed former President Sam, killed and dismembered him, and paraded portions of his body on poles around the city.
Washington arrived at Port-au-Prince that day. Upon reviewing the situation, Admiral Caperton acted quickly. He ordered marines and a landing force ashore from his flagship to protect not only American interests but those of other foreign nations as well. Washington remained at Port-au-Prince into the winter. During that time, the United States effectively ran Haiti. On 12 August, Philippe Sudra Dartinguenave was elected president; and his government was recognized by the United States on 17 September.
Washington had been in and around Haiti for quite a while. They knew something was brewing. Not so with the earthquake. Apples and oranges.
Powering the lihts is one thing a carrier might not be equipped to do unless the airport was right on the water. I’d bet the ship would be much more comfortable.
The USS Comfort is due to leave Baltimore this weekend. She won’t get to Haiti until late next week, though.
Yup! ;)
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