US Troops Man Airport, Rescuers Race Clock

US troops have taken over security and cargo operations at Haiti's main airport as rescuers struggle mightily against deadlines for saving lives, amid chaos and near-total destruction. The chances of saving victims declines steeply after the first 48 hours following an earthquake. Efforts have been stymied by a poor medical system and a mangled transportation infrastructure, reports the Washington Post. "You can't go into Haiti and expect to get a little bit of help on the ground," said a member of a Haiti health organization. "There is no infrastructure to help."

Yet some aid and workers are getting through. A US Air Force disaster team began to boost flights at the Port au Prince airport after "24 hours of uncontrolled activity" that stranded some 44 planes, a spokesman told CNN. The US also reached an agreement with Cuba to allow planes to cut through restricted Cuban airspace to slash travel time, the New York Times reports.