Haitian relief mission cancelled

WPAFB, Fairborn (WDTN) - It's exactly what Ohio Taskforce One has been waiting for.

"Well those planes are definitely a welcomed sight something we've been looking for the last two days and awaiting their arrival, very interesting process to see how this works."

A massive cargo plane was being loaded with supplies belonging to the group early Saturday. Scott Hall and an 80 member team expected to load on another plane, ready to lend a hand to the Haitian people.

"The crew is a little more upbeat today, obviously they're getting ready to go to work and do what they do and that's what they've been trained for over the last 20 years."

Hall says the upbeat attitude quickly changed when 2news cameras caught that same C-17 being unloaded just hours later. Hall says the mission was simply cancelled.

"The reason for that cancellation that I was given was that they've advised that there are no resources needed from the urban search and rescue system today in Haiti."

Hall says the situation in Haiti remains unstable.

"The reason for that is that there is little infrastructure and lack of local resources etc in order to support our teams on the ground. Not to mention the difficulties you have all seen that involve the airport and getting access into that airport."

Ohio Taskforce One members have been waiting since Wednesday to fly out of Ohio. Halls says everyone is on an emotional roller coaster.

"The mission itself can go at any moment, our team is remaining positive though disappointed about not being in the air already and going to help the people they've trained for the last 20 years or so to do their job."

Hall says the team will be on standby and will remain on standby at least through Sunday night where FEMA officials will make a final call if the team goes to Haiti or not. Those two C-17's that were at Wright-Patt were used for other military missions.