UN: Aid flights get top priority at Haiti airport

[demoleft]

Source: ap

ROME – The U.N. food agency reached an agreement Monday with the U.S.-run airport in the Haitian capital to give aid flights priority in landing — a deal that came after the U.S. military was criticized for giving top billing to military and rescue aircraft.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100118/ap_on_re_eu/haiti_aid

[HeresyLives]

1. Yes, aid comes first.

No matter who claims to be running the airport.

[bossy22]

3. actually "scene size-up" comes first

than the appropriate actions can be taken

The major complaints with the U.S. effort is that its too slow bringing actual aid to the haitians but the truth is the U.S. is really doing it the right way. Most of the equipment coming in is helping to "size up" the damage and set up a command structure. That is the first step in any emergency operation. Running head-first into a rescue operation without the adequate knowledge or equipment will just make the situation worst.

This is coming from the years of experience i have in the emergency services- ive seen too many people hurt because they rush into a situation that they didnt adequatly size up

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. Too many do not understand the value of logistics and C&C

Which is critical to success. Also the Haitian government is still playing an active role, and they are in charge, not the UN, the US or MSF.

We need to ignore the whining and get the job done.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. USA is running the airport, but Haitian approach control is still up

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7494389#7495680

Its a key point that many do not understand

[bossy22]

2. ahh the good old french

complain about other peoples relief efforts while doing very little yourself

France also refused to send one of their 2 amphibious assault ships which would be able to carry a dozen helicopters

[EFerrari]

5. It wasn't only France. It was also Brazil, the leader of the UN

peacekeeping mission, and Italy.

This is a difficult situation. There's going to be friction. I'm glad they worked it out.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. They tend to forget they are not in charge, the Haitians are

[EFerrari]

8. Well, the Haitians signed over command and control of the rescue

to USAID, as I was reading around here somewhere. So technically, State is in control of that.

What that means to the UN peacekeeping mission that Brazil is leading, I don't know. It sounds pretty confusing.

[suzie]

9. You have referred to the French complaints a lot.

Do you really believe that the French are the best at conducting a logistical operation, better than the U.S. military?

I mean, really, you really believe that?

[EFerrari]

10. Did you misplace your post?

[suzie]

13. No.

[EFerrari]

15. Hmmm. I haven't referred to the French protest much.

Because in fact it wasn't only the French that were objecting.

I've been more concerned about Brazil, leader of the UN mission, and Doctors Without Borders.

So, I have no idea what you're talking about.

[bossy22]

11. i believe the U.S. military is the most capable organization in the world

when it comes to running large scale logistical operations. No other organization as the combination of know-how, manpower, and equipment

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. And clearly for now, they are in the right place...organizing distribution and running the airfield

Next worry is fuel for generators etc. The Carl Vinson is a nuclear carrier has a fair amount other fuels onboard.

[suzie]

14. I agree.

But the French soldiers do have much spiffier uniforms.

And really jazzy military bands.