Reference “Haiti flight logs detail early chaos” (article, Feb. 20): I am quite disappointed. You published an incomplete article and, in so doing, discounted notable points that would have provided our servicemembers — your audience — a more balanced read.
The work by our airmen in operating Port-au-Prince’s airport was exemplary. Not highlighted in the article, and easily qualified as “fine print” in the associated graphics, were the pre-earthquake and post-earthquake daily flight numbers. Some accent on this fact would yield important context for the reader. Second, the article failed to mention something many servicemembers should understand: the interagency concept.
Operation Unified Response was a U.S. Agency for International Development-led effort with Department of Defense in a supporting role. Unfortunately, many government organizations are not staffed with the excesses required to adequately respond to crisis events.
Compounding matters, as they relate to the movement of relief supplies, is the very nature of nongovernmental organizations. Each has its own agenda, purpose and motivations — often distanced from government tones. The apolitical nature of DOD when working with NGOs in humanitarian aid/disaster relief missions creates a natural discord, worsened with the immense volume of support requests placed by these organizations in a crisis situation.
Given these circumstances, it should surprise nobody that DOD failed to deliver someone’s supplies in a timely or masterfully organized manner.
I recommend that, as an organization retaining some degree of responsibility to its readers, the editors reconsider printing the complete article and perhaps include some additional information that provides servicemembers a broader perspective or even, perhaps, a degree of education on issues surrounding their profession.
Yours is the power of a broad-reaching, and incredibly powerful, voice. I’m amazed at the degree to which you, as a representative of your profession, failed to wield your power with any sense of craft.
Maj. Jeffrey J. CortonQatar