The humanitarian operation, performed by an Airbus Military C-212 tactical transport aircraft earlier this week, brought nearly 3,000 pounds of food, clothing, tents and other relief materials for facilities in the Port-au-Prince area, including the Faith Crusade Orphanage, which currently provides care to more than 150 children.

In coordination with the Office of Alabama Governor Bob Riley, EADS North America leased a C-212 from Island Jet, Inc. – an Alaska-based aircraft operator and charter company. The aircraft deployed in the morning hours of March 23 from Airbus Military North America's aircraft support facility at Mobile Regional Airport in Alabama.

The relief supplies were collected by the Montgomery Rescue Mission, a nonprofit agency assisted by Alabama First Lady Patsy Riley and the Governor’s Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives.

After the plane was unloaded, Rescue Mission members transported the supplies to the appropriate orphanages. The C-212 then departed Port-au-Prince for its return to Fort Lauderdale, arriving at 4:00 a.m. on March 24.

This relief effort involved a two-week turnaround from initial planning to its successful completion – a rapid process attributed to excellent coordination and teamwork between EADS North America, Airbus Military North America, Governor Riley’s office and the Montgomery Rescue Mission.

“We are playing a modest role in helping to facilitate this flight with a C-212 – an aircraft that EADS North America helped build years ago – for a very important mission to help these orphanages in Haiti,” said EADS North America Chief Executive Officer Sean O’Keefe during remarks prior to the C-212’s takeoff from Mobile.

The C-212 is the smallest member of Airbus Military’s family of tactical airlifters. During its 35 years in service, the twin-engine turboprop aircraft has been operated by more than 90 military, government, and civil operators in some 40 countries worldwide.

According to Perry, who accompanied the flight to document the mission, a true spirit of cooperation was prevalent in the planning and performance of the Haiti humanitarian deployment, particularly at Airbus Military North America – with all team members supporting the operation’s eventual success.

“We had help from everyone at our office. You can name anybody here in Mobile, and they played a part – whether it was loading the plane, working logistics or making sure the missionaries were comfortable,” said Perry. “Without everyone’s help, it wouldn’t have been possible.”

Both Perry and Mason described the U.S.-Haiti flight as smooth, and praised the aircraft’s performance throughout the trip. The C-212 is well-suited for such deployments, conceived for operations to remote locations with cargo and passengers – including medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster response duties. It is equipped with a rear loading ramp and is designed for austere environments, with the ability to take off and land from short, soft, unpaved fields.

“The C-212 is so versatile,” said Mason, a longtime Airbus Military North America customer. “It’s just a great piece of equipment – you can take it almost anywhere.”

Alabama Governor Riley thanked EADS North America for supporting the Haiti relief flight, adding that it would not have been possible without the company’s assistance. “All corporate citizens have a choice to make, but donating this plane in order for us to help these orphanages in Haiti is an incredible thing,” he told reporters during a press conference at Mobile Regional Airport.

First Lady Patsy Riley said EADS North America’s support for the mission was “an answer to a prayer.”

“It’s great to have the supplies, but you cannot get them from Alabama to Haiti without wonderful friends like Sean O’Keefe,” she concluded.