The Haiti Super Thread- Merged

[MasterInstructor]

Apparently, they are not sending in CF at the moment.. Just watching CBC They are waiting for more information... I hope they act fast not like the Tsunami, where aid was sent a week later...

 

[The Bread Guy]

We dump huge money into Haiti. We have police there, we had soldiers there.

We still have a few troops there via OP HAMLET - the latest (pre-quake) here.

Latest on DART, via Sun Media:

Canada is offering condolences, consular services and aid to Haiti in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake that rocked the country .... Officials are making contact with humanitarian organizations and are prepared to provide consular services to any Canadians in the region. Cannon said Defence Minister Peter MacKay is also conducting a preliminary assessment of equipment to determine how Canada might act to help, including the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). The Defence Department is getting more information to make the "appropriate decisions," he said ....

 

[The Bread Guy]

PM statement:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the situation in Haiti following the earthquake that occurred there earlier today:

“Canadians are profoundly concerned about the impact of today’s earthquake in Haiti.  On behalf of all Canadians, I wish to extend my sincere sympathies to all affected by this disaster.

“Our nation is home to a large community of Canadians of Haitian decent.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they seek word about the safety of their loved ones.

“While officials are currently assessing the damage and the possibility of Canadians injured, Canada stands ready to provide any necessary assistance to the people of Haiti during this time of need.”

 

[The Bread Guy]

From the Canadian Press:

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon says Canada is sending a reconnaissance team to Haiti to assess the damage and needs from the devastating earthquake.

He says the team's assessment will provide guidance for the deployment of Canada's Disaster Assistance Relief Team, or DART, a military quick-reaction force for humanitarian aid.

Cannon says a C-17 transport plane and two Griffon search-and-rescue helicopters have been assigned to help with the relief efforts in Haiti.

The minister says one Canadian is known to have been injured in the quake.

There are 707 Canadians registered with the Canadian Embassy in Haiti, but some 6,000 Canadians are believed in the Caribbean country.

Cannon says that among them are 83 Canadian police officers, seven corrections officials and five Canadian Forces personnel.

Lt.-Col. Chris Lemay said from Ottawa that the five Canadians are attached to the UN mission in Haiti survived the quake.

 

[Journeyman]

"7.0 quake hits Haiti; could be 'catastrophe,' official says"


"DND responds by updating PowerPoints. 'Perhaps something with a mauve background; oh, and change sad to unhappy' says a DART insider. 'We've got a MGen and who knows how many LCols standing by in the Business Class lounge at Ottawa International Airport."
Kent Brockman, live from NDHQ"

[/cynicism]

 

[MasterInstructor]

Defence Minister Peter MacKay confirmed that DART will go to Haiti, but the composition of the team is yet to be determined. DART's work includes providing drinking water and medical treatment in disaster areas.

A Canadian C-17 transport plane and two Griffon search-and-rescue helicopters are standing by to help in relief efforts if needed.

HMCS Halifax, which was about 200 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia, has been ordered back to port, where it will be outfitted with a Sea King helicopter. It will then be sent to Haiti.

MacKay said HMCS Ville de Quebec may also be sent to the Caribbean island.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/01/13/montreal-haiti-canada-support.html

 

[medicineman]

They'll get their gong for going to Haiti long before those of us on Op Halo get ours I'm sure...

MM

 

[vonGarvin]

They'll get their gong for going to Haiti long before those of us on Op Halo get ours I'm sure...

MM

You said it, but I was thinking it ;D


Actually, the epicentre was some 8 km or so from where I Coy Gp was set up. 

 

[daftandbarmy]

CNN Breaking News


Hundreds of thousands of people have died in Haiti's earthquake, the prime minister told CNN today.

Watch live coverage now on http://CNN.com/Live

 

[daftandbarmy]

You said it, but I was thinking it ;D


Actually, the epicentre was some 8 km or so from where I Coy Gp was set up.

Don't worry, they can't blame this one on I Coy

 

[kratz]

From today's [ur=http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9014787.htmll]Chronicle Herald[/url] in Halifax:

Frigates Halifax, Athabaskan headed to Haiti

By STEPHEN MAHER Ottawa Bureau
Wed. Jan 13 - 2:20 PM

OTTAWA – Two frigates are being loaded with emergency supplies in Halifax Harbour for an emergency mission to quake-stricken Haiti.

HMCS Halifax was recalled to port last night after word of the tragedy, and it is being loaded with food, bottled water, medical equipment and humanitarian supplies for a relief mission to Port-au-Prince.

The navy plans to send a second vessel — HMCS Athabaskan. The two vessels are expected to leave Thursday morning and will take about five days to reach Haiti, arriving Jan. 18 or 19.

The ships can each carry a crew of about 225.

The crew are working hard and are keen to help, said Jeri Grychowski , spokeswoman for the navy in Halifax.

“In my own personal opinion, they’d be wanting very much to be able to go down to help,” she said.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay told reporters in Ottawa that Canada has sent a Hercules aircraft with about 20 personnel to Haiti to do a preliminary assessment to decide what help is most urgently needed. A massive C-17 will follow with a bigger team once the first team has reported — perhaps after midnight tonight.

"That information should be coming in late this afternoon," he said. "Then decisions made on the C-17 aircraft ... as to what equipment, what personnel is needed most urgently in Haiti. Communications will be a key factor in all of this. There may be a need in terms of technicians, electricians, those able to get communications up and running, engineers, with respect to bridges and critical infrastructure."

Media reports from Haiti paint a picture of a country devastated, with huge numbers of buildings destroyed. The death toll could reach half a million. Even the presidential palace is in ruins.

 

[vonGarvin]

[pedantic]  Isn't HMCS Athabaskan a destroyer, not a frigate? [/pedantic]

Anyway, the time is short.  We are moving with a sense of urgency, less than 24 hours after the quake hit, and it appears that the recce team is there, with the main body ready to move probably within days, if not hours.  I just hope that Toussainte Airport is still serviceable.  Otherwise, there will be no way to get that stuff near where it's needed.  Thankfully Toussainte is right near where people will need help, though I suspect that the South West portion of town is pretty knackered.

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Reports are that the control tower is N/S, but the rest of the airfield seems servicable....

 

[Journeyman]

I just hope that Toussainte Airport is still serviceable.  Otherwise, there will be no way to get that stuff near where it's needed.

Bet you wish you had an Airborne Engineer Group now, don't you?

 

[observor 69]

Or perhaps not!

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19821116-1&lang=en

"During a LAPES drop the load jammed on the rear ramp. The airplane stalled and crashed."

I thought I read that we had given up on this as a bad idea?

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Pte Brady William, an Traffic Technician from 2 Air Movement Squadron is tightening the load inside the CC-130 Hercules that is being sent over to Haiti in response to the disastrous earthquake. 


Elements of the Canadian Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) deploy from Canadian Forces Base, 8 Wing Trenton.  Aboard this CC-130 Hercules is the military equipment and medical supplies needed for Canada’s DART team to respond immediately.  The current situation is to help support the disaster caused by the earthquake that hit 10 miles from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  2 Air Movement Squadron (2AMS), alongside with members of 8 Air Movement Squadron (8 AMS), prepare the CC130 Hercules aircraft in support of this disaster.Canada deployed DART out of 8 Wing Trenton at 11:00 hrs, 13th of January 2010.

Cpl Tina Gillies. Wing Imaging Section, 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario

Elements of the Canadian Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) deploy from Canadian Forces Base, 8 Wing Trenton.

Aboard this CC-130 Hercules is the military equipment and medical supplies needed for Canada’s DART team to respond immediately.  The current situation is to help support the disaster caused by the earthquake that hit 10 miles from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  2 Air Movement Squadron (2AMS), alongside with members of 8 Air Movement Squadron (8 AMS), prepare the CC130 Hercules aircraft in support of this disaster.Canada deployed DART out of 8 Wing Trenton at 11:00 hrs, 13th of January 2010. 

Cpl Tina Gillies. Wing Imaging Section, 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario

 

[Journeyman]

I thought I read that we had given up on this as a bad idea?

As far as I know, we don't do LAPES anymore.
Chinthe 329 was just one of three C130's to crater when I was posted in Edmonton.

...once again reaffirming that the more pilots I know, the more I like to jump out!  :nod:

[/thread hijack]

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Reports are that the control tower is N/S, but the rest of the airfield seems servicable....

The Gypsies should be able to remedy that issue if needed.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Yeah, I know twitter's only a micro sound bite, but WTF?

Canada should be in Haiti faster and more than we are. Time to speed up, Mr Harper.

Posted ~2030EST 13 Jan 10

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Media Advisory
Media Opportunity Canadian Forces Deployment to Haiti
January 13, 2010

8 Wing/CFB Trenton – There will be media availability to observe the loading of a CC-177 with humanitarian assistance that will be provided to the people of Haiti on behalf of the Canadian Government. This will include components of the Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART).

WHEN:  8:00 p.m., January 13, 2010
WHERE:  In front of the C-17 Hangar at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton

There will also be a media availability to observe the take-off of this CC-177.

WHEN: 2:00 a.m., January 14, 2010
WHERE: At the 8 Wing Passenger Terminal.

-30-

Note to the editors: Media representatives are asked to be present at the passenger terminal at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton no later than 7:30 p.m. They will then be escorted to the aircraft. For the aircraft departure, please be present no later than 1:30 a.m.

Photos of Canadian Forces operations in Haiti are available at www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca by keyword search "Haiti".

Video b-roll of Canadian Forces operations in Haiti are available at http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/common/combatcamera/news/.