Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. And Miami Aviation Hero Barrington Irving Kick-off Charitable Coalition For Airlift Saturday

While the world's attention will be fixed on the Super Bowl this weekend, a life saving mission will unfold just a few miles from the football stadium as various airplanes jockey to get clearance to airlift much-needed supplies for victims of the Haiti earthquake. Bound for Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, the supplies and crew will leave Miami on Saturday, February 6th at 0830 from DHL Aviation.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America (MHIA) is donating the use of a 767 jumbo jet loaded with MHIA power generators, light towers, food, medical supplies and tents in partnership with Operation USA to Haiti. Private owners and operators of MU-2 planes, MHIA's turboprop aircraft, are also transporting doctors and other supplies.

"MHIA is donating products and transportation to help save lives in Haiti, our hearts go out to the people of Haiti and they will be in our thoughts and hearts while the country and lives are rebuilt," Hiromichi Morimoto, president and CEO, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc.

MHIA also partnered with local aviation hero, Barrington Irving, who is of Caribbean descent and remains the youngest person and only African American to fly around the world solo, to help make this mission possible. Irving was instrumental in galvanizing aid through Relief International. Relief International has also accumulated vital supplies for the airlift.

"I'm proud to be partnering with Mitsubishi, one of my sponsors, to help the people of Haiti. These are my friends and neighbors in the Caribbean, and my heart goes out to them and to the many families who have lost loved ones," said Irving who has also partnered with MHIA on nationwide initiatives exposing inner-city youth to careers in aviation.

Mitsubishi MU2 File Photo

Like Irving, MHIA also has strong ties to Miami. For instance, the corporation is building two world-class Automated People Mover transportation systems at the Miami International Airport.

"The earthquake disaster particularly hit home for us because we are an American company with Japanese roots and Japan has experienced first-hand the devastation earthquake brings. Additionally, we have Haitians on our team who were affected by this disaster," said Noel Takayama, MHIA General Manager for Aircraft Product Support.

MHIA was also quick to donate supplies to victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and to victims of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav.  "We hope other corporations will step forward and donate what they can to help Haiti at a time when the nation and its people need it most," said Takayama.

FMI: www.mitsubishitoday.com