1419 Flt - Wizards in the Green Zone

28 Sqn B Flight arrived at Bastion Airfield in late May 2010.  Following many detachments in Iraq over the past 5 years, this was their first detachment to Afghanistan to previously uncharted territory. 

They arrived with the bit between their teeth and were raring to get stuck into the new adventure which lay ahead, albeit I have no doubt that the crews were a little apprehensive given the environment which they found themselves in. 

Following the initial mandatory admin procedures and a very long day sitting on a hot rifle range, the aircrew from 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire took to the skies and flew towards the green zone for the first time. 

The initial flight, which is always flown with a trainer who has more experience in-theatre, was quite an eye opener.  The number of radio calls required for a transit between operating bases were vast and the complexity of the airspace was something that most of the aircrew had not seen before. 

Restricted Operating Zones, Hot Gun Lines as well as the sheer number of aviation assets which operate in the skies over Helmand Province is a lot to get ones head around.  The capacity sapping trip was a benchmark as to what the remainder of the detachment had in store.  Being individuals who don’t like to disappoint, B Flight personnel, and a few selected guests, rose to the challenge, completed their handover and got stuck into the daily tasking and routine. 

Day to Day Tasking

45oC ambient temperatures mean that the cockpit and cabin of the ac is around 50oC.  Add safety equipment, thermal fire protection, gloves and helmet and the result is some very hot and sweaty individuals.  A great deal of water is consumed during any shift by the crews.  This is the same for all helicopter crews in Afghanistan; other than the Apache crews in their air conditioned cockpits. 

Landing sites in Helmand Province vary dramatically between purpose-built, football pitch sized, tarmac areas, to dust bowls which create 200ft high dust clouds; pilots regularly carry out the final stages of approaches almost blind.   There are landing sites in the green zone with trees all around and there are landing sites on the pinnacles of mountains resulting in few hovering references for the handling pilots whilst operating at the limits of the aircrafts performance. 

All of the sites have their own challenges and the complexities encountered when landing within them cannot be understated or taken for granted at any time.  This was highlighted in uncomfortable detail when a Merlin entered an extreme dust cloud on landing at a tight HLS and, following the loss of all references, suffered a heavy landing. It was forced to shut down in the secure site where it landed and on further inspection the captain realised it had sustained some damage.  Luckily no one was hurt but, occuring early in the detachment it rapidly brought home the reality of operating in such a harsh and challenging operational environment.

Cargo carried by the Merlin has varied enormously, from Counter IED teams, for whom all of the aircrew have the greatest respect as some of the hardest working and most in-demand teams in theatre, to general resupply and trooping tasks.  The importance of resupply missions, whilst outwardly ‘bone’ tasking, cannot be understated; as an example the delivery of mail to isolated Patrol Bases is a huge morale boost for the ‘guys on the ground’.  In addition 1419 Flt have transported numerous patients, including both ISAF troops and Local National casualties. 

Underslung loads are also commonplace in order to carry the more unwieldy freight which is required across the area of operations.  The one thing that is evident is that whatever circumstances prevail the crews always endeavour to complete the job at hand.  If the aircraft can’t carry all of the freight due to its own limitations, then a second run will pick it up at another time ensuring that the task is completed. If, on the rare occasion that the Merlin can’t make it in to a landing site due to inclement weather or unserviceabilities then another helicopter and another crew will pick up the slack highlighting that the Joint Force Element which is operating in Helmand including RAF, Army and Navy works, and works incredibly well.

Considering the differing backgrounds between the services, the Joint Force approach which has been honed over the past 10 years, has found it’s ultimate utility as the three services operate very successfully as one entity. 

Engineering

The 28(AC) Sqn, B Flight Engineers have worked 12 hour shifts every day since arriving in theatre.  They have the unenviable task of trying to maintain the Merlin helicopters which are being flown in the most unforgivable of environments.  The dust intake, the high altitude and the challenging flying puts a great strain on the Merlin, yet day after day the engineering force of 1419 Flt produce serviceable aircraft to operate with.  

As you can imagine this mammoth task puts a great strain on all personalities yet the engineering fraternity of 1419 Flight have pulled together, delivered and done so without complaint whilst remaining jovial throughout.  The engineers truly have performed to the highest standards throughout their detachment and have quite rightly gained the respect they deserve from all personnel they work with.
 
Down Time

Although the opportunity for down time is minimal 1419 Flt has tried to maintain some ‘balance’.  Operation Massive (Gym time), has played a very important part in stress relief and has made a regular appearance on most peoples daily schedule, Operation Bronze (Sun Time), has played a very important part in relaxation with the few sun worshippers on the flight taking full advantage of the most abundant of resources , and finally Operation Vegas (Poker) has played a very important part in increasing a few card-sharks’ bank balances even if only by small amounts.  The World Cup has also contributed to the down time although I am not convinced that it did anything positive for morale.

The activities during time away from the aircraft and engineering line have not only been a vital part of the day in order to unwind but it is also a place where the people on the detachment have discussed what they have been up to during the day.  Whether watching the TV or having a cup of tea, discussions have ranged from pleasant small talk and ‘banter’ to heated debates on some very serious subjects, all the while maintaining the cohesion which has been 28Bs defining characteristic.

Going Home

28 (AC) Squadron, B Flight has had a detachment in Afghanistan fraught with the ‘expected’ unforeseen issues which arise during such a venture.  They have worked every day in the heat and the dust and have achieved everything that they have been tasked with and more.  The engineers have worked for 10 weeks without a whole day off.  It is now time to go home, reunite with loved ones and enjoy some well deserved time off.  As B Flight hand over to C Flight this week they reflect on a job well done.

Source: UK Ministry of Defence Media operations - Afghanistan