Operation Unified Response
Encyclopedia
Operation Unified Response is the United States military's
response
to the 2010 Haiti earthquake
. It is being conducted by Joint Task Force Haiti and commanded by United States Southern Command
(USSOUTHCOM) Military Deputy Commander Lieutenant General
Ken Keen
, although the overall U.S. government response is headed by Rajiv Shah
, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID).
The response includes personnel from all branches of the military. The U.S. Navy listed its resources
in the area on January 19 as "17 ships, 48 helicopters and 12 fixed-wing aircraft" in addition to 10,000 sailors and Marines. By January 26, the U.S. military had 17,000 personnel in and around Haiti. Between the beginning of refief efforts and 18 February the US Air Force had delivered nearly 6,000 support members and 19 million pounds of cargo while evacuating 15,000 American citizens and conducted aeromedical evacuation
s for 223 critical Haitian patients.
Elements of the mission included flying in relief supplies, flying out evacuees, including medical evacuees, loading helicopters with supplies at the PAP airport, and then dropping supplies at various points around Port au Prince, airdropping supplies from fixed wing aircraft, establishing a field hospital near the Port international de Port-au-Prince
, repairing a pier at the port, providing imagery from satellite, Global Hawk, and U-2
assets.
has expressed approval of the mission by United States and stated that the American troops would not stay long.
Elements of the public of France expressed dissatisfaction with both the much larger size of the American relief operations compared to those of European nations and the commanding role US forces took on the ground. Reflecting these feelings the French Minister for the Francophonie, Alain Joyandet
, characterized the United States as "occupying" Haiti, citing the take over of air traffic control
in the country.
In a statement the Italian government moved to distance itself from the Italian Civil Protection head, Guido Bertolaso, who asserted that the US effort was badly lead and managed, lacking a "rapport" with aid organizations and local people.
Several Latin American leaders accused the United States of militarily occupying Haiti. These socialist leaders, all long-time critics of the United States, including Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez
former Cuban President Fidel Castro
, Bolivian President Evo Morales
and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega
. Through its Department of State the United States rejected the allegations and stating that US forces were there by the invitation of the Haitian government. Despite this United States Congress
man Ron Paul
(R
-Texas
) opposed House of Representatives
Resolution 1021, citing concerns of an "open-ended US military occupation of Haiti".
Antonio D. Travis was named one of the top 100 most influential people of 2010
by TIME Magazine
for his role in Operation Unified Response. Chief Travis is a combat controller who deployed to Port au Prince just 30 hours after the earthquake. His team set up a card table to conduct air traffic control
operations for Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport, and was recognized for orchestrating the largest single-runway operation in history. The combat control team ran the airport for 12 days before US Air Force air traffic controllers took over. During those 12 days the team oversaw more than 4,000 takeoffs and landings, an average of one every five minutes. Their efforts are credited for ensuring the safe delivery many humanitarian relief teams from around the world and thousands of tons of life saving supplies.
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
response
Humanitarian response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake
The humanitarian response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake included national governments, charitable and for-profit organizations from around the world which began coordinating humanitarian aid designed to help the Haitian people...
to the 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
. It is being conducted by Joint Task Force Haiti and commanded by United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
(USSOUTHCOM) Military Deputy Commander Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
Ken Keen
Ken Keen
Lieutenant General P. K. "Ken" Keen, USA is the Chief, Office of the Defense Representative-Pakistan for U.S. Central Command. He previously served as Military Deputy Commander of U.S. Southern Command. He assumed his current assignment in July 2011....
, although the overall U.S. government response is headed by Rajiv Shah
Rajiv Shah
Rajiv “Raj” Shah is the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development . He was confirmed by the Senate on December 24, 2009, replacing acting chief Alonzo Fulgham, making him the highest-ranking Indian American in any presidential administration...
, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
United States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
(USAID).
The response includes personnel from all branches of the military. The U.S. Navy listed its resources
Military asset
In military usage, a military asset is a weapon or means of production of weapons or other defensive or offensive devices or capabilities.-Description:...
in the area on January 19 as "17 ships, 48 helicopters and 12 fixed-wing aircraft" in addition to 10,000 sailors and Marines. By January 26, the U.S. military had 17,000 personnel in and around Haiti. Between the beginning of refief efforts and 18 February the US Air Force had delivered nearly 6,000 support members and 19 million pounds of cargo while evacuating 15,000 American citizens and conducted aeromedical evacuation
Aeromedical evacuation
Aeromedical Evacuation usually refers to specialized medical transportation units in the United States Air Force. Within the U.S. Air Force, AE is coordinated by Air Mobility Command located at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois...
s for 223 critical Haitian patients.
Elements of the mission included flying in relief supplies, flying out evacuees, including medical evacuees, loading helicopters with supplies at the PAP airport, and then dropping supplies at various points around Port au Prince, airdropping supplies from fixed wing aircraft, establishing a field hospital near the Port international de Port-au-Prince
Port international de Port-au-Prince
The is the seaport in the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. It suffered catastrophic damage in the 2010 Haiti earthquake.Some of docks and warehouses are operated by the government's Autorité Portuaire Nationale , and some are run by private companies.- History :On 13 June 1872, a German fleet...
, repairing a pier at the port, providing imagery from satellite, Global Hawk, and U-2
Lockheed U-2
The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-engine, very high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency . It provides day and night, very high-altitude , all-weather intelligence gathering...
assets.
Mission timeline
- The United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
cutters and , both arrived in Port-au-PrincePort-au-PrincePort-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
, on January 13. A Maritime Intelligence Support Team aboard the Forward assessed damage to the port. The cuttersUnited States Coast Guard CutterCutter is the term used by the United States Coast Guard for its commissioned vessels. A Cutter is or greater in length, has a permanently assigned crew, and has accommodations for the crew to live aboard...
were supported by the destroyerArleigh Burke class destroyerThe Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is the United States Navy's first class of destroyer built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. The class is named for Admiral Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke, the most famous American destroyer officer of...
. Two United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
special operations MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft also arrived January 13 with emergency supplies, medical units and special tactics teams. Other Coast Guard ships including the and the were dispatched.
- As of Jan 14, United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Special Tactics personnel were controlling operations of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, after having cleared runways and setting-up a 24-hour air traffic control.
- On Jan 15, the aircraft carrier arrived off the coast of Port-au-Prince to provide humanitarian aid, with its trained personnel, emergency supplies and 19 helicopterHelicopterA helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s on deck.
- The United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
hospital ship with 1,000 beds and 956 naval hospital staff was deployed to Haiti, as were the guided-missile frigateOliver Hazard Perry class frigateThe Oliver Hazard Perry class is a class of frigates named after the American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the naval Battle of Lake Erie...
, and the guided missile cruiserTiconderoga class cruiserThe Ticonderoga class of missile cruisers is a class of warships in the United States Navy, first ordered and authorized in FY 1978. The class uses phased-array radar and was originally planned as a class of destroyers...
.
- Approximately 2,000 United States MarinesUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit22nd Marine Expeditionary UnitThe 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
from Marine Corps Base Camp LejeuneMarine Corps Base Camp LejeuneMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
sailed on the , , and ; while 3,000 United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort BraggFort Bragg (North Carolina)Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
were sent 14 January.
- On January 16, arrived in Haiti to assist the Carl Vinson.
- On January 17, the and the arrived at Port-au-Prince to begin repairs to the wharves.
- On the 18th, anchored at KillickKillickKillick is the Haitian Coast Guard base in Port-au-Prince. It is the main base for the Coast Guard. It is the other port for the city, aside from the main Port international de Port-au-Prince. It is located about 10 miles outside of downtown Port-au-Prince, and is about a century old...
base, and started relief operations.
- Additional Marines from the 24th MEU24th Marine Expeditionary UnitThe 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
on the , , and , which sailed from Naval Station NorfolkNaval Station NorfolkNaval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
on the 18th, were diverted on the 20th from their scheduled deployment to the Middle East. This was the first use of the V-22 OspreyV-22 OspreyThe Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing , and short takeoff and landing capability...
for a humanitarian mission.
- Four injured personnel from the United States embassy were evacuated to the naval baseGuantanamo Bay Naval BaseGuantanamo Bay Naval Base is located on of land and water at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba which the United States leased for use as a coaling station following the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The base is located on the shore of Guantánamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba. It is the oldest overseas...
at Guantánamo Bay, CubaCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, by United States Coast Guard helicopters.
- As of January 21, approximately 10,500 people have been evacuated from Haiti to the US, including 8,300 US citizens. Approximately 45,000 American citizens were thought to have been in Haiti at the time of the earthquake.
- On February 1, the Carl Vinson, Bunker Hill, and ended their mission departed Haiti.
- On February 3, the Higgins ended its relief mission and has headed for its home port.
- On February 8, the 24th MEU and Nassau amphibious ready groupAmphibious Ready GroupAn Amphibious Readiness Group of the United States Navy consists of a Navy element—a group of warships known as an amphibious task force —and a landing force of United States Marines , in total about 5,000 people. Together, these elements and supporting units are trained, organized, and equipped...
were ordered to resume their original deployment to the Middle East.
- On February 12, the US relief force has been reduced from roughly 20,000 troops to roughly 13,000 troops.
- On February 13, the Gundston Hall ended its relief mission and has headed back to its original mission.
- On February 14, the 190th Civil Engineering Squadron of the Kansas Air National GuardKansas Air National GuardThe Kansas Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Kansas. It is, along with the Kansas Army National Guard, an element of the Kansas National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state....
returned home.
- On February 18, the Oak has left Haiti and arrived back at home port.
- On March 1, Carter Hall was ordered home.
- On March 8, Comfort had discharged its last patient, and departed on March 10.
- On 24 March, the 22nd MEU and ARG were released from their mission and sailed for home.
International reactions
The United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
has expressed approval of the mission by United States and stated that the American troops would not stay long.
Elements of the public of France expressed dissatisfaction with both the much larger size of the American relief operations compared to those of European nations and the commanding role US forces took on the ground. Reflecting these feelings the French Minister for the Francophonie, Alain Joyandet
Alain Joyandet
Alain Joyandet is a French politician who was appointed Secretary of State for Cooperation and Francophony in the government of François Fillon from March 18, 2008 to July 2010. Prior to that, he was CEO of the Société Nouvelle des Éditions Comtoises , a publisher of weekly newspapers and journals...
, characterized the United States as "occupying" Haiti, citing the take over of air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
in the country.
In a statement the Italian government moved to distance itself from the Italian Civil Protection head, Guido Bertolaso, who asserted that the US effort was badly lead and managed, lacking a "rapport" with aid organizations and local people.
Several Latin American leaders accused the United States of militarily occupying Haiti. These socialist leaders, all long-time critics of the United States, including Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
former Cuban President Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
, Bolivian President Evo Morales
Evo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega
Daniel Ortega
José Daniel Ortega Saavedra is a Nicaraguan politician and revolutionary, currently serving as the 83rd President of Nicaragua, a position that he has held since 2007. He previously served as the 79th President, between 1985 and 1990, and for much of his life, has been a leader in the Sandinista...
. Through its Department of State the United States rejected the allegations and stating that US forces were there by the invitation of the Haitian government. Despite this United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
man Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
(R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
-Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
) opposed House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Resolution 1021, citing concerns of an "open-ended US military occupation of Haiti".
Legacy
Air Force Chief Master SergeantChief Master Sergeant
CMSgt ChevronChief Master Sergeant is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Master Sergeant, and is a senior non-commissioned officer. The official term of address is "Chief Master Sergeant" or "Chief".Attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant is the...
Antonio D. Travis was named one of the top 100 most influential people of 2010
Time 100
Time 100 is an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, as assembled by Time. First published in 1999 as a result of a debate among several academics, the list has become an annual event.-History and format:...
by TIME Magazine
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
for his role in Operation Unified Response. Chief Travis is a combat controller who deployed to Port au Prince just 30 hours after the earthquake. His team set up a card table to conduct air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
operations for Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport, and was recognized for orchestrating the largest single-runway operation in history. The combat control team ran the airport for 12 days before US Air Force air traffic controllers took over. During those 12 days the team oversaw more than 4,000 takeoffs and landings, an average of one every five minutes. Their efforts are credited for ensuring the safe delivery many humanitarian relief teams from around the world and thousands of tons of life saving supplies.
See also
- Operation HestiaOperation HestiaOperation Hestia is the name of the Canadian Forces humanitarian response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake which struck Haiti on 12 January, 2010. Operation Hestia is the military component of an interagency response that also involves Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the Canadian...
, the Canadian military's counterpart - Opération Séisme Haiti 2010Opération Séisme Haiti 2010Opération Séisme Haiti 2010 is France's military relief operation for the 12 January 2010 earthquake....
, the French military's counterpart