View Full Version : RAF Response to the Tsunami Disaster?
DP Harvey
4th Jan 2005, 11:58
With most of the RAF stood down from their offices/workplaces throughout the disaster period so far, it has been quite difficult for folk at home or away (ie, me) to find our what the RAF's reaction and contribution has been in response. I haven't seen anything in the news media about RAF planes delivering relief.
So, does anyone know what the RAF is doing in connnection to the disaster?
I really am hoping that our boys and girls of the AT/helo fleet are working on it, although it means time away from home at a very awkward time. I wish I could get stuck in, but I'm in the wrong job :-(
The ATF has certainly been doing its bit. Whilst I won't comment on what hasn't been in the news, there has been footage of a C17 in Denmark, an interview of a C17 crew in Penang, reports of the same ac delivering aid to Banda Acer and mention of a C130 in Colombo. Now that MoD Corporate Comms are coming back from their holidays, there will probably be more coverage. All coverage so far has been courtesy of STC Corp Comms.
As far as I am aware, there has been no SH involvement at this stage owing to distance.
WE Branch Fanatic
4th Jan 2005, 13:21
Op GARRON (http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/rn/content.php3?page=1&article=849)
Hopefully this is just the start.............
From the MOD: This (http://www.operations.mod.uk/garron/index.htm)
At least one RAF C-130K and one Tristar has been to Oslo Gardermoen to pick up a basecamp (with staff) kit the Norwegian foreign ministery are sending to Sumatra for the UN. (Quoted in media as 55t freight plus the pax)
Belive they went via Denmark as well.
November4
4th Jan 2005, 16:33
From the Swindon Evening Advertiser
Global push to stem the tide
by Anthony Osborne
AIRCREWS and personnel from RAF Lyneham have been dispatched to the Sri Lankan capital Columbo to help with the international aid effort.
Hercules transport planes from the Wilt-shire base have flown to the Indian Ocean island to carry aid and equipment to the ravaged island.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed that a C-17 to Bandar Aceh and a C-130 to Colombo had been sent.
"They are both supporting United Nations aid efforts rather than a UK aid effort, and are carrying out a recce to scope the requirements of the operation," said a defence spokesman
On Sunday a massive C-17 transport plane from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire arrived in Indonesia with 50 tonnes of aid.
Personnel from RAF Lyneham were on board including Senior Aircraftsman Tom ***** and Sgt Dave ****** to help unload the humanitarian aid parcels and equipment.
The aircraft returned to Penang Airport in Malaysia to load more aid.
Two British military liaison and reconnaissance teams have also been deployed _ one to Colombo and the second to Indonesian capital Jakarta.
Hercules aircraft and crews from Lyneham have previously flown to West Africa to drop aid supplies to help victims of famines.
During the early 1990s crews flew in aid to Sarajevo in the former Yugoslavia.
l A deal on debt relief for countries hit by the Asian tsunami disaster could be secured within weeks, the Treasury said today.
The Government says it will use its presidency of the G8 group of industrialised nations to push for the deal.
Officials said an agreement on a long-term package of assistance could be announced within weeks.
Such an announcement could come at a meeting of the "Paris Club" of creditor countries later this month.
Germany has already said it would propose a debt moratorium for Indonesia and Somalia. And France is also thought to support the plan. US President George Bush said he was open to all requests for aid, including Germany's proposal.
The British Government looks set to increase its aid. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the Government was almost certain to match the £60m of public donations. The Government has already committed £50m.
The Tristar that delivered a load to theatre has now returned to UK. Another C17 delivered a full payload of aid to Banda Acer today, yet another load is expected in to Sumatra tomorrow. More is already following in the AT pipeline.
More news of the RAF involvment:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4142237.stm
and the news of the army's forthcoming involvment:
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13277329,00.html
Trumpet_trousers
4th Jan 2005, 22:09
From the Sky News article:
She will be joined by the Royal Floating Auxiliary Diligence
.......let's hope it stays that way!:p
polyglory
5th Jan 2005, 01:38
So much for accurate reporting, one word wrong and its all up the Swanny ( Fleet was the word )
Prawns:mad:
Mr C Hinecap
5th Jan 2005, 10:43
I am sorry if this sounds uncharitable, but has anyone stopped to think if a C-130 is what is needed out there?
Please read this ...From the UN News Page (http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=12956&Cr=tsunami&Cr1=)
I think the UN has probably got a grip of what it needs.
500days2do
5th Jan 2005, 13:40
As per a previous entry on another thread...'classics all sat at marshalls due to monkeys who plan being wasters...'
Im sure anyone with a brain cell would realise that the UN aren't gripping the sitch...when did they get all competant!!!!!
ALL HANDS TO THE PUMPS
Vote with your feet....
antipodean alligator
6th Jan 2005, 10:46
Our Alberts are working their (ducks) arses off, so I'm sure a few of yours would be most welcome.
Just look at how many were used for the Timor Job!
StopStart
6th Jan 2005, 16:53
I suspect ours are too busy going on exercise..... :rolleyes:
500days2do
6th Jan 2005, 19:33
Ah yes...could be true...but its always much more fun to crisis manage an then look very average by recalling your assets/manpower to head the other way
Vote with your feet.....
Trumpet_trousers
16th Jan 2005, 09:39
Despite misrepresenting the Bell 212 as an RAF chopper, the rest is accurate at least....
http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/wed/jan12h2.htm
One of the more accurate reports on UK PLC military activity. As I am sure you are only to aware, to the media everyone on the ground in CS95 is in the army, everything that flies belongs to the RAF, anyone that dies on duty is a hero, every pilot is an 'airman' or an 'ace' and anyone that issues a press release for having been in the same hemisphere as a news story is in the RN!
jonesy1275
16th Jan 2005, 21:42
Here's one of the Griffins that we took in to Banda Aceh.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/jonesy1275/05a7b5f9.jpg