US Military in Haiti

Here is an interview with Lt. Col. Wiley Thompson, a West Point Professor who is in Haiti researching the U.S. military's disaster relief response.



Everything I have witnessed and everyone I have spoken with, only has positive things to say about the U.S. Military and their involvement in the Disaster Response efforts down here in Haiti.  The aid organizations depend on them heavily to provide assistance and security in the distribution of aid.  There has been criticism from a few organizations back in the US about how the U.S. military handled the initial response in running the airfield.  I got this from another source who was here and would be in a position to both know what went on and give an objective assessment.  I have paraphrased his response below:

For the UN to run the airfield, they would have had to change the mandate.  That would have required a vote of the UN General Assembly.  Haiti did not have time for that.
The initial rush overwhelmed the airport, so US shut it down and implemented control.  JTF viewed this as a mechanism to organize flow of aid to the country.  Had a worldwide NOTAM (notice to airmen) to give slots for arrival. Provided GSE to support donors.  Took over port also, which was critical.  Handed it back to Haitians using a PPR (prior permission required)  system.  UN flights were never restricted as they have their own ramp.  Slots were for non-UN aircraft.  US got slots 1,2 and 3 and the rest were allocated.  Staffing and a new mandate prevented the UN from running the airport.  What could anyone else have done better?