Norfolk Navy ship Kearsarge brings 'order to chaos' in Haiti

As the government and aid groups struggle to deliver aid to flood-stricken villages in Haiti, helicopters from the Norfolk-based amphibious assault ship Kearsarge are continuing to bring in supplies.

“We are absolutely in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. We are helping to bring order to chaos," Capt. Walter Towns told the crew, according to a news release.

The Caribbean nation was hit hard by tropical storms Fay, Gustav and Hanna and then again by Hurricane Ike. The main problem now is not a shortage of food -- it's gaining access to areas cut off by damage to roads and bridges, according to the Associated Press. U.N. peacekeepers have had to switch to delivering supplies at night to avoid causing a riot.

“People are walking in almost knee-deep flood water and families are sleeping on the rooftops of their homes," said Seaman Scott Polk. Polk and other volunteers from the crew are assisting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, based in Jacksonville, N.C., loading and unloading bags of food. It's hard work--it's hot and the bags of rice weigh about 100 pounds.

The squadron flies the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, which can carry as much as 30,000 pounds of cargo. The crews fly to the capital, Port au Prince, to pick up supplies and then deliver them to some of the hardest-hit areas. So far, they've flown 58 missions.