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Naval Aviation Reserve VR Forces Provide Critical Support to Haiti

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100217-06
Release Date: 2/17/2010 11:35:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Oliver Cole, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs

NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- Answering the call for help and leaving behind their civilian lives, hundreds of Naval Reservists assigned to fleet logistic support squadrons (VRs) deployed Jan. 14 to support Haiti relief efforts as part of Operation Unified Response.

Operation Unified Response is the joint U.S. military operation providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Haiti in wake of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the country Jan. 12.

The Navy's aviation Reserve posses all the "medium and heavy-lift air transport assets," making them the primary platform for supplying Haiti with the materials, personnel and equipment needed to help push through the devastation, said Cmdr. Chad Baker, Naval Air Forces' VR program manager.

"The specific VR mission in Haiti is logistics transportation for the relief assets," said Baker. "Primarily we fly the cargo into [U.S. Naval Station] Guantanamo Bay and stage it there for further transfer into Port Au Prince, Haiti,...that includes Navy personnel, water, food and medical personnel."

From time of activation to Jan. 29, Naval aviation Reserve air crews have logged many flight hours supporting the relief effort.

Currently, the reserve VR force is utilizing a variety of aircraft to include C-40 "Clippers," C-9 "Skytrains," C-20 "Gulfstreams," C-130 "Hercules" and C-12 "Hurons," from 15 Reserve VR squadrons to perform multiday, multiple-hit missions.

"I'm obviously very proud of the effort and overall willingness of all Navy personnel to step up when needed the most," said Rear Adm. Patrick McGrath, commander, Naval Air Forces Reserve. "To be honest, I'm not surprised at the ability of Navy Reservists to make meaningful contributions. You often hear about a feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself. The units, crews and Sailors that are contributing know that they are privileged to bring comfort and, hopefully, some hope to so many that have lost so much."