PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti -- Members of Joint Task Force-Bravo, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, worked all afternoon and into the evening to ready two of their UH-60 Blackhawks for rotary airlift operations March 21 here in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti.

Maintainers and aircrew from 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment worked side by side to accomplish the unloading and reassembling of UH-60s so they could begin the transition process with the Navy rotary assets that have been serving JTF-Haiti for the past few months.

"I'm very pleased with our team...at this point we're ahead of schedule," said Lt. Col. Salome Herrera, commander, 1-228th. "The advance team did a really great job of laying the ground work which allowed us to come right off the plane and begin working on our aircraft."

The more than 40-member team planned to have at least one aircraft operationally ready by the end of their first day in Haiti. However, they were able to get a second aircraft operational as well.

"It's because of the teamwork and attitude of our personnel that enable to get this far," said Herrera. "We have been well received by JTF-Haiti, specifically the 24th Air Expeditionary Group. They have really gone above and beyond to support us."

Aircrew members will begin change over with the Navy March 22 and will take full control within the week.

"We are excited about our opportunity to contribute to this global effort here in Haiti," said Herrera.

JTF-Haiti is the U.S. military's task force providing disaster relief assistance, to Haiti following the Jan. 12 earthquake.