A Ukrainian cargo plane transported the helicopters from El Salvador, arriving just 45 minutes after the fourth contingent of Kenyan police officers landed.
The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti received a significant boost on Thursday, February 6, days after the United States (US) government revealed that it had not frozen all support for the mission.
MSS revealed in a statement on Friday, February 7 that it had received three helicopters assigned to assist in evacuating the wounded amid the ongoing efforts to reclaim Haiti from gangs.
A Ukrainian cargo plane transported the helicopters from El Salvador, arriving just 45 minutes after the fourth contingent of Kenyan police officers landed.
“Additionally, the mission has significantly improved its operational capabilities. Air support has been strengthened with reinforcements from El Salvador, maritime capabilities have been bolstered by contributions from the Bahamas and land operations have been enhanced with equipment provided by donor nations,” the MSS stated in part.
The female SWAT team, part of the fourth contingent of Kenyan police officers who arrived at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport (TLIA) in Haiti on February 6, 2025. /MSS
“In a further boost, just 45 minutes after the Kenya Airways flight landed, a Ukrainian cargo plane arrived from El Salvador carrying three helicopters designated for medical evacuations (Medevac) and casualty evacuations (Casevac).”
After reports emerged that US President Donald Trump halted funding for the mission on February 5, top officials from both Kenya and the multinational mission swiftly dismissed concerns that the mission might collapse without the financial support.
“The day’s events silenced sceptics who had speculated that the mission was on the verge of collapse following the U.S. government’s recent decision to freeze funding to the Trust Fund. The successful arrival of reinforcements and equipment demonstrated that the MSS mission remains fully operational and progressing toward its objectives,” added the statement.
On Wednesday, February 5, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs reaffirmed that the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti will continue to receive funding and operational backing, despite the suspension of U.S. contributions to the UN Trust Fund.
In a statement, the ministry acknowledged the pause on $15 million (Ksh129 million) but assured that the mission remains financially secure. Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi confirmed that donor countries had secured $110 million (Ksh14.7 trillion) to sustain operations through at least September 2025.
Later, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the US had not paused all the funding to the mission and had even disbursed some support paraphernalia.Â
Bell UH-1H Huey
A quick reverse search by Viral Tea on the helicopter revealed that it is a Bell UH-1H Huey, a multipurpose military helicopter that was developed by Bell Helicopter in the mid-1950s. It was the first turbine-powered helicopter used by the U.S. military.Â
First designed between 1956 to 1987 and was mainly used by the United States Army, the Australian Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Forces, the copter is a logistical transport support helicopter weighing 2,252 kilogrammes. Its carrying capacity is 2,210 kilos.
Features & Uses
It has a flat cabin floor that can be configured for whatever logistical purpose intended, removable crew doors, crash-resistant fuel cells, a wire strike protection system, a rollover bulkhead, auto-rotation and chip detection.
Operated by one or two pilots, the Bell Huey II can attain a maximum cruising speed of 196 kilometres per hour, with a flight range of about 455 kilometres. It can carry 12 to 14 soldiers.
The two-blade semi-rigid tail rotor is equipped with a digital cockpit supporting night vision and increased horsepower for greater flexibility. It can remain airborne for 156 minutes.
It gained prominence during the Vietnam War from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975, and a total of 16,000 were built ever since.
