Haiti international relief effort through air and sea

Not sure if this is the right section. If it’s not, feel free to move it.

It seems that this recent earthquake incident, tragic as it is, has prompted an international race for sending humanitarian aid from all over the world. Some countries have mobilised any sea or air lift assets the got, whereas others that are too far away or have no means of transfer, simply contribute with money/material or personel such as rescuers and medics.

I start the thread with this link: http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50498

The US is dispatching the Carl Vinson carrier and the Bataan LHA to the region to provide whatever services they can.

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) — USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) has been ordered to deploy to Haiti to conduct Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) missions Jan. 13. Currently, Vinson is underway in the Atlantic Ocean, and will briefly loiter off the coast of Mayport to receive equipment and supplies.

Along with Vinson, USS Bataan (LHD 5) embarked with Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU 22), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) were ordered to get underway as soon as possible. Additionally, USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Underwood (FFG 36) and USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) will deploy from their homeports and stand ready to assist, while USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), homeported in Baltimore, Md., is preparing to get underway, if required.

A Navy P-3 Orion aircraft from the Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 detachment operating from Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa, El Salvador, took off early this morning to conduct aerial surveys of the area affected by the earthquake.

USS Higgins (DDG 76) based out of Naval Station San Diego will arrive on station off the coast of Haiti tomorrow to provide afloat logistical services for the Coast Guard helicopters.

Additionally, various units are prepared to provide assistance with sea-based helicopters, to include H-53 Sea Stallions and H-60 Seahawks.

As the Navy component command of U.S. Southern Command, NAVSO’s mission is to direct U.S. Naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Routine operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

Earthquakes are pretty bad things, I was unlucky enough to grow up in an area with lots of seismic activity, death and destruction. It’s a rough time for those people, let us hope there are as few victims and they get as much relief as possible.

Wiki has a massive article on the matter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake