That's from a TIME article about the U.S. military response to the earthquake in Haiti. We sent 20,000 troops to assist in Haiti, 3300 of which were ashore.
- Sometimes it takes a catastrophe to demonstrate just how much more the U.S. military is able to do than simply kill the enemy. Only the U.S. can initially control flights into and out of the Port-au-Prince airport from aboard a nearby Coast Guard cutter, while waiting for an Air Force special-ops team to set up shop at the airport and step up operations to 24/7. Only U.S. warships have the capability to generate up to 400,000 gallons of fresh water a day from seawater. Only the U.S. military can send a spy drone from California to fly lazy orbits over Port-au-Prince snapping close to 1,000 pictures a day, which when compared with similar ones shot last summer, create a map of the hardest hit areas that can be instantly relayed to those working on the ground.
- Only the U.S. military has enough aluminum matting to boost the runway capacity of Port-au-Prince airport. Only the U.S. military has the surveillance capability to quickly assess additional Haitian airfields and seaports for use in rescue relief operations. Only the U.S. military has the wide variety of vessels and aircraft to utilize those fields and ports, including air-cushioned vehicles capable of ferrying 60 tons of supplies from ship to shore at 40 knots.
I realize this move is unpopular and, for good reason, we should always question Obama's motives, but this comes down to American Exceptionalism. If American does not contain Ebola, it ain't gettin' contained. The rest of the world dallied from March through August. Unfortunately, it's time to send in the folks who know what to do. Together with CDC and DoD, they'll get this under control.
I will be in constant prayer for God's protection upon them.
If we have been asked for help in the form of people rather than supplies, equipment and medications, then by all means, let us send anyone who has relevant, necessary skills and who is willing to volunteer to assist.