Air Force special forces rescue seven in Haiti relief efforts

by John J. Kruzel American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force special force operators in Haiti have rescued seven survivors of the massive Jan. 12 earthquake that continues to wreak havoc on the country in its wake, according to Air Force officials. News of the rescues represents a small victory in the face of what some have described as one of the greatest humanitarian emergencies in the history of the Americas. Air Force Special Operations Forces have been manning the airport in the capital of Port-Au-Prince since about 8 p.m., Jan. 13, conducting airfield operations in addition to recovery and rescue efforts, said Lt. Col. Brett J. Nelson, the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron commander. "Within hours of our arrival last evening, we established airfield control and have maintained that control conducting 24-hour operations at Port-Au-Prince airport," Colonel Nelson said during a conference call with reporters Jan. 14. Air Force personnel have been engaged in operations to rescue potential survivors from collapsed buildings, he said. The colonel added that a number of Americans have been evacuated via the airport, but declined to provide an exact figure. Colonel Nelson corrected media reports that said airport operations grinded to a halt after being saturated with aircraft. He acknowledged that operations at the airport have slowed down under the stress, with 44 aircraft crowding the space at one point today, but maintained that operations are ongoing. Colonel Nelson also clarified that the airfield has power and is able to sufficiently light the premises to conduct night air operations.