U.S. Relief Mired In Mud

Refugees in Albania aren't the only people living in the mud, reports CBS News Correspondent Thalia Assuras.

U.S. servicemen are running a humanitarian relief operation out of the Tirana airport, where the U.S. relief effort actually began 10 days ago.

Mud is AlbaniaÂ's signature. The rain that is deepening the suffering of the refugees isnÂ't making life any easier for the troops.

"Waking up in the morning, trying to find the driest thing you have, put it on and go out to work. Hope it doesnÂ't rain and hope for a sunny day,Â" said U.S. Air Force Airman Chris Crawford.

It is hard to walk in the mud in Tirana, let alone get any work done. But the people here have made quite a lot of progress. They dug drainage ditches and laid down gravel to make paths.

Forty tents serve as the living quarters for the 475 people here who are working together for one reason: They call it Shining Hope.

U.S. Navy and Air Force helicopters are shipping out food, water, and blankets to refugees in AlbaniaÂ's northern camps. As many as 20 chopper flights go out every day.

The Navy birds were headed to the Persian Gulf when they were diverted here.

The airport just outside the city is also an Albanian military facility, which the United States has virtually taken over. It is a huge operation.

However, high-tech U.S. Air Force capability is operating out of one of the most dilapidated facilities imaginable.

Â"The control tower system is ancient. WeÂ've got our own radios here,Â" said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Jones. Â"At the moment, weÂ're using their console. One speaker for both tower and ground control. They have other speakers coming out all at one time so it is difficult to hear.Â"

Those manning the helicopters, like U.S. Navy crew chief Eric Jolly, understand exactly why theyÂ're making these flights to the border.

Â"I go home to my wife, a dog, a bird, and these people donÂ't have anything right now,Â" Jolly said. Â"So anything that we can provide for them, anything at all, water, food, flour, clothing Â… is obviously a lot better for them. It makes their life a lot better.Â"

The relief effort will be boosted at the end of this week as well. Twenty-four Apache helicopters and more personnel are coming in to help them out in this particular area.