US-troops block inbound traffic for port-au-price airport

[Glidepath]

Yesterday a military spokeman said on TV, that US-troops block inbound air traffic to port-au-price airport. International disaster relief is hampered that way, as only or predominantly US aircraft are allowed to use the airfield, while other aircraft, fully laden with useful cargo, are forced to divert, lacking fuel to circle for hours and coming from a far. Time is lost for saving lives.

comment:
What's that? Narrow minded, or political orientated? A crying shame, that's what. Oddly, The UN has a mandate, not the US. Really their behaviour is an embaressement.
anyway, Now we understand why the Haitians shout cheerfully about the US, they do not see much help other arriving from other countries. But they are ket out.

It has been said before in UN-circles: "USA lead the way, or please get out of the way!" A quote that seemingly also applies here.

[Thijs]

The only argument which i can think about, which is in favour of the US forces, is that US forces are in charge of the airfield operations and are only familiar with their own aircraft crew and procedures. On the other hand this may not disturb inbound flows. If the US forces want to coordinate airport operations and only allow US planes, then they have to present a solution for al the non US planes. For example cross docking at a large airfield nearby, where all the goods are put into US planes.

Still a strange solution, but I already wonder a few days about the logistical (non) organisation at Haiti.

[ehusmann]

Luckily the Russians already had a solution to the US imposed problems....

Just land the plane and wait ON THE RUNWAY for clearance to unload.

Erwin

[Kleintje Pils]

Google has updated his sattelite pictures. These are made last Sunday (17th). Interesting lineup at the airport, but I think there is plenty of space left :
http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 8&t=h&z=18

[frank kramer]

Cool; I see a very familiar Il76: RA-76846 of Aviacon Zitotrans; regularly found at EHEH

[Le Addeur noir]

Well,that's not an American C-130.

I see a biz-jet on the ramp,with someone disembarking,so VIP access obviously comes before aid flights.

[ehusmann]

so VIP access obviously comes before aid flights.

So ´obviously´ you then completely disregarded the rest of the airfield. Ever cared to check the other transport planes, helicopters, trucks, tents etc on or around the airport? These didn´t come in by parachute you know....

Erwin

[kiwi]

Sounds like what Adam Curry was talking about on his podcast NoAgenda recently. Would it really be true that the US is using this for a non-hostile takeover of Haïti?

Before I get flamed. This is not directly my opinion, I do find it a possibility..

One of the C-130's looks like our C-130's when they still had camo

[Le Addeur noir]

Sounds like what Adam Curry was talking about on his podcast NoAgenda recently. Would it really be true that the US is using this for a non-hostile takeover of Haïti?

Before I get flamed. This is not directly my opinion, I do find it a possibility..

The Americans must be barking mad to want to take over somewhere like Haiti.A failed state with a teeming population that is mainly unemployed and probably unemployable.

[ehusmann]

Sounds like what Adam Curry was talking about on his podcast NoAgenda recently. Would it really be true that the US is using this for a non-hostile takeover of Haïti?

Before I get flamed. This is not directly my opinion, I do find it a possibility..

The Americans must be barking mad to want to take over somewhere like Haiti.A failed state with a teeming population that is mainly unemployed and probably unemployable.

Totally agree with this part. Adam Curry never was the smartest guy on the radio, this only proofs it.
In this case, I think the country (or at least the population) would like to be 'invaded', but this time the invader doesn't like it.

Erwin

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/ja ... -aid-haiti" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There is a backlog of at least 800 aircraft awaiting permission to land at the overloaded airport, which can handle just 130 flights daily, prompting recriminations from some aid agencies.

And this was last Tuesday...

[K2G]

Well,that's not an American C-130.

I see a biz-jet on the ramp,with someone disembarking,so VIP access obviously comes before aid flights.

It is a Mexican C-130K (triangle on wing and aerial refuel probe) and a normal grey USAF C-130H. Also a grey CN235 and a C-17. But I do not see an Il-76 ???? See also the military ships for coast..........

Hans

[flying_kiwi]

I see a biz-jet on the ramp,with someone disembarking,so VIP access obviously comes before aid flights.

Apparently many bizjet owners in the US were encouraged by the NBAA to 'donate' their aircraft to aid agencies needing to transport supplies to Port-au-Prince, so its entirely possible that this aircraft was simply bringing in supplies.

Yorden

[Gerard]

It is a Mexican C-130K (triangle on wing and aerial refuel probe) and a normal grey USAF C-130H. Also a grey CN235 and a C-17. But I do not see an Il-76 ???? See also the military ships for coast..........

The satellite-pic is updated regularly. The Il-76 was visible last week. On the same picture with the Il-76, a Mexican Navy Antonov (An-32?) was visible as well (the serial was even readable on the wing).

Gerard