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Operation Unified Response -- providing direction, a place to rest

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Grannan
  • Joint Information Bureau Homestead
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  After a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti last week, two of the U.S. military's primary missions in the area include delivering aid and personnel and bringing home U.S. citizens who were in the region when the earthquake struck.

In the last two days, more than 1,500 people have arrived here from Haiti as part of Operation Unified Response. The groups are comprised of repatriated American citizens and individuals holding foreign passports who sought refuge from the rubble and death that surrounds Haiti's capital city.

This multi-faceted operation's focal point is the evacuation in-processing center where the incoming people are given some basic necessities and a chance to rest. Several military and civilian agencies have come together to ease their transition back into the United States.

"We get about 20-30 minutes notice that another plane is going to land," said Maj. Larry Holbrook, 42nd Services Squadron commander and site commander for evacuation in-processing. "The planes typically carry between 30 and 70 people who we need to process and help."

Evacuees are brought to Homestead on C-130 aircraft in several groups each day. Following their arrival to base, they are bused to the base fitness center where they are processed through customs and immigration.

Also supporting relief efforts at the center is the American Red Cross alongside military medical personnel and the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.

The American Red Cross provides some basic essentials such as snacks, water, diapers and formula. Between six and 12 volunteers and two paid staff members are working at the center at all times, 24-hours-a-day said Jesika Davis, American Red Cross South Dade Branch manager and Service to the Armed Forces Regional director. They are also operating a station closer to the flight line for the aircrew members who are transporting the evacuees.

Once the evacuees have cleared through Customs, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services arrange transportation for everyone to the Miami International Airport where they can be picked up by family members or depart for another destination.
Medical personnel are also on hand to provide first aid to those who have fled Haiti for the United States.

"We're here to provide basic care and to determine if anyone coming in needs to be transported to a medical facility," said Staff Sgt. Orlando Menendez, 42nd Medical Squadron medical technician.

This support effort is no small undertaking and requires 24-hour-a-day operations and a lot of personnel. But more than that, it requires understanding and compassion.

"Many of the people who come through here have lost everything," Major Holbrook said. "They have nothing but what they're carrying and just want to go home so we try to help them as much as we can."