Just another day in Africa

[African Eagle]

French helicopter pilot killed by Islamic extremists in Mali (http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/12/world/africa/mali-france/index.html)

Helicopter raid on Islamic extremist group Al Shabab house in Southern Somalia (http://allafrica.com/stories/201301120170.html)

Some familiar with what's going on in East Africa will remember that Al Shabab blew up a bunch of people in Kenya and Uganda a couple of years back. A bomb at the Uganda rugby club and another at a restaurant - all innocent victims as usual!

What you might not be hearing about are the almost daily encounters that helicopters are having with SAF in the Congo and Southern Sudan.

[206Fan]

ASN Aircraft accident 11-JAN-2013 Gazelle (http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=152458)

[311kph]

Gazelle Downed in French Air Raid, Soldier Killed (http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3Afc288939-6cb4-45dc-8edb-c96a58c0dce0)

Un pilote français d (http://www.aerobuzz.fr/spip.php?article3134)
The air raid was supported by two Aerospatiale Gazelle helicopter gunships equipped with 20mm cannons and HOT missiles from the army's 4th combat helicopter regiment, which destroyed four enemy vehicles and forced the militants to retreat. It was unclear whether the Gazelles were equipped with the Viviane thermal imagery system.

http://i49.tinypic.com/2ilzlg5.jpg

One Gazelle helicopter was downed during the air raid, said Adm. Edouard Guillaud, chief of staff of France's armed forces, and Lt. Damien Boiteux, commander of the helicopter unit, was killed, though it was unclear whether Boiteux was aboard the downed rotorcraft.

[helihub]

The Aviation Week "shot down" story is not generally echoed in the French media. In fact there are no pictures of a damaged/crashed Gazelle, and one source (link below) specifically details that M. Boiteux was killed when on the ground by shrapnel while his helicopter was being re-armed.

Certainly Gazelles from French special forces are involved in the conflict, and M.Boiteux has been based in Mali since late October.

I am happy to be proven wrong, but the way I currently read this, we could be jumping to the wrong conclusions. The general media loves sensationalism, of course, because it sells copies.

Actualité | Un pilote comtois tué au Mali dans l'opération commando - Le Bien Public (http://www.bienpublic.com/actualite/2013/01/12/un-pilote-comtois-tue-au-mali-dans-l-operation-commando)

[HeliHenri]

Hello Jeremy, sorry but you're wrong.
Lt Boiteux has been hit (femoral artery hemorrhage) on the way back (as said in your link), the PIC landed to the base and Lt Boiteux unfortunately died at the hospital (or on the way to the hospital). RIP.

Henri

[skillsndrills]

"What you might not be hearing about are the almost daily encounters that helicopters are having with SAF in the Congo and Southern Sudan."

African Eagle, please can you elaborate on this?

I know that a UN helicopter was shot down there a couple of weeks ago, but any further info on trouble in South Sudan will be very gratefully received. I will be paying a visit down there in the very near future.

Many thanks

[African Eagle]

Another Russian helicopter shot up in S. Sudan (http://www.spyghana.com/another-russian-helicopter-shot-up-in-s-sudan/)

If you're a Brit forget the British Foreign Office reports on South Sudan, what you need are the reports from the US Embassy in Kampala as they are up to speed.

If you are going to Juba just make sure you are staying somewhere secure and that you are with a group of people. There are talks of Al Shabab operatives wanting to hi-jack expatriots in much the same way as is happening in Somalia.

Aside from the Islamic threat the local militia and the SPLA regular forces are totally unreliable and can do anything at any time. As I said there are more small arms fire incidents taking place than are being reported in the news.

If you go there you'll see!

[skillsndrills]

Many thanks African Eagle. Where are you based?

[African Eagle]

That's where the anon-e-mouse forums come in handy! In East Africa but that's about as much as I am prepared to divulge. The number of heli-drivers in EA are few so we tend to keep a low profile otherwise over time it all gets a bit political "he flies for so and so" and all that.

[skillsndrills]

Ha Ha! African Eagle I know what you mean.

Well, I will probably bump into you anyway. Best of luck and thanks for the info.

[Bladestrike]

"Some familiar with what's going on in East Africa will remember that Al Shabab blew up a bunch of people in Kenya and Uganda a couple of years back. A bomb at the Uganda rugby club and another at a restaurant - all innocent victims as usual!"

A few grenades thrown this year, I was there for all the riots. Still, I quite like East Africa.

[African Eagle]

Nigeria: Rip-Off - Govt Pays U.S.$29 Million Instead of U.S.$13.4 Million for Two Security Helicopters (http://allafrica.com/stories/201304150985.html)

I just can't understand that people don't understand that ripping people off and being ripped off is just normal in Africa.

So someone made 15 million USD on the sale of 2 x 412's - they should be glad it wasn't more! :eek:

Welcome to Africa. :ooh:

[noooby]

Oh dear. Don't you 419 me now!!!

This should probably moved to Whats New in West Africa though....

[mickjoebill]

Lt Boiteux has been hit (femoral artery hemorrhage) on the way back (as said in your link), the PIC landed to the base and Lt Boiteux unfortunately died at the hospital (or on the way to the hospital). RIP.

When flying over remote areas, carry a blood clotting agent in the top pocket of your flight suit.

"The Survival Doctor continues, “Okay, I’d use QuikClot in a flash if blood were pouring, and direct pressure or pressure on pulse points wasn’t going to stop the bleeding, and using QuikClot was the only thing I knew to do to save a life—like if a femoral artery were cut so close to the groin a tourniquet wasn’t feasible. Or if I were facing a gusher on the neck and pressure wasn’t helping. I’d try it on a badly bleeding chest or abdominal wound if I couldn’t do anything else...."


mickjoebill

[Heli-News]

Congo

Congolese army helicopters have killed a number of civilians while attacking a rebel camp north of Goma.

OMA | Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:17pm BST

(Reuters) - At least 10 civilians were injured, some of them seriously, in an attack by Congolese army helicopters on a rebel-held military base in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, an official has said.

"(The helicopters) have been over Rumangabo for the last two hours. It seems there have been quite a number of victims," said Emmanuel De Merode, chief warden at the Virunga National Park, which has its headquarters a few kilometres from the camp.

He said 10 civilians wounded in the strikes had been admitted to the park's infirmary. One man lost his leg, and two children were seriously injured by shrapnel, he added. The rest of the victims were not seriously wounded.

"They missed their target and hit civilians," M23 spokesman Amani Kabasha said.

Congo army helicopter strikes hit civilians - park official | Reuters (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/07/24/uk-congo-democratic-rebels-idUKBRE96N0QB20130724)

Congolese army helicopters blast M23 positions | eNCA (http://www.enca.com/africa/congolese-army-helicopters-blast-m23-positions)

http://dm62zza9c93u.cloudfront.net/styles/overlay_image_1280_or_1024/s3/000_Par7617837.jpg?itok=ZgVXiV2d

It is likely (but yet to be confirmed) that Mi-24 gunships were used.

Details on Mi-24 helicopter (http://www.businessinsider.com/22-images-show-the-incredible-capabilities-of-the-russian-mi-24-helicopter-2013-7?op=1).

South Africa

South African Air Force refuses to comment on allegations that its 18 Agusta A109 helicopters were grounded as there were no funds to operate them.

According to Beeld newspaper, it was told by an anonymous source that the helicopters were occasionally enabled, but did not ascend.

In the long-term, this reportedly meant pilots could lose their competency skills and that the helicopters would fall into disuse.

A senior SAAF officer reportedly told the newspaper the situation was grim.

Amid a 60% budget cut, it was considering selling the Gripens and not just the A109 helicopters, but all helicopter operations.

SANDF refuses to comment on helicopter operations - Sowetan LIVE (http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2013/07/24/sandf-refuses-to-comment-on-helicopter-operations)

[African Eagle]

ADDIS ABABA: A helicopter en route to the United Nations mission in South Sudan crashed Wednesday in Ethiopia, with four Russian crew members injured but no one killed, civil aviation officials said.

"An investigation is underway," Girma Gebre, accident investigation chief for Ethiopia's Civil Aviation Authority said Thursday. "We are on the site now, we are looking for the cause of the incident."

The helicopter crashed about 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of Addis Ababa's Bole airport.

Girma said no one had been killed but that the four crew members remained in hospital in Ethiopia.

"The helicopter is significantly damaged," Girma said.

The helicopter was flying to South Sudan from Djibouti and was scheduled to land in Addis Ababa to refuel before the crash took place.

4 Russians injured in Ethiopian helicopter crash - thenews.com.pk (http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-111938-Four-Russians-injured-in-Ethiopian-helicopter-crash)

[African Eagle]

BBC News - British women attacked with acid in Zanzibar (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23611840)

I've said elsewhere on this forum that if you are a white person in East Africa, be careful, especially along the coastal areas of Kenya and Tanzania (Muslim strongholds) but in fact just about anywhere.

Intelligence briefings shared between the East African Defence Forces in early 2012 revealed a specific agenda to harm "any white person at any cost".

Don't say you haven't been warned.

[vfr440]

Absolutely spot-on, AE. We have estranged (distant) family out there, casually living the dream (:rolleyes:) in Diyani. An older white widow on her own, with occasional visits from her 2 x sons and families. Imperialism seems to be ingrained in her and she isn't listening. F :mad: stupid, but horses and water come to mind. Though my wife was born (as a settler's daughter) in Kenya, there is absolutely no desire at all to return. Not even for the Country (can't stand 'the family you get, friends you choose' angle :)).

Those who have not been there should pay attention to AE's wise words; the world has moved on from the '50s & '60s :=

Best ~ VFR

[African Eagle]

As I was saying and vfr440 was confirming,

According to eye-witnesses, the gunmen told Muslims to leave the centre shortly before midday and said that non-Muslims would be targeted.

The attackers had asked, “who is Prophet’s mother?” in an attempt to discover non-Muslims. One man escaped by showing the attackers his ID with his name, Hakim, on it. Another reportedly failed to name the Prophet’s mother and was killed.

Horror in Kenya: 'al-Shabaab claim responsibility as non-Muslims targeted in terror attack' on Nairobi shopping centre - Africa - World - The Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/horror-in-kenya-alshabaab-claim-responsibility-as-nonmuslims-targeted-in-terror-attack-on-nairobi-shopping-centre-8831413.html)

Being "white" in East Africa is not how it was 10, 20 or even 30 years ago. Things have changed and white expats working in the region need to be aware.

[SASless]

I do grow so weary of reading of yet more murdering by Islamic Terrorists.

For a religion of love and peace they sure seem to have some warped concepts.

You know....at some point they are going to goof up and really piss some folks off and then they will find out about why there is no Caliphate today.

[African Eagle]

Hope you're right there sasless. Trouble is these terrorists are trying to turn this into a religious fight even though the troubles in Somalia were never centred on religious divide but the typical abuses of power which are prominent all over the continent.

But, if they succeed in making it a religious war I don't expect Kenya or any of the East African nations can expect much help from the US as your beloved Barack Osama is strongly opposed to Christianity and is trying to rid any trace of it from your military for a start, see the video in this (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hal+lindsey+report+9.13.2013&oq=hal+lindsey+report+9.13.2013&gs_l=youtube.3..35i39.6953.9794.0.11243.4.4.0.0.0.0.71.236.4 .4.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.ug7bGXGbZ5Q) link from around 3 mins onwards, the one dated (9.13.13).

For those working out here or planning to, all I would say is take care.

[African Eagle]

Seems like Jim n' Lori have had enough.

American Helicopter Service Owners Sell Stake To Kenyan Operators | Ventures Africa (http://www.ventures-africa.com/2013/10/american-helicopter-service-owners-sell-stake-kenyan-operators/)

[African Eagle]

So the Rooivalk has finally fired a shot in anger.

First ever combat for Rooivalk | DefenceWeb (http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32541&Itemid=107)

[Bender Rodrigez]

I can't believe what I'm reading here: I've been living in EA for the last five years with my family, been deployed from Mozambique to Sudan, and I never really felt threatened anywhere I went! Terrorism in EA exists, but is nothing compared to the "normal" criminality. Would be interesting to compare how many people have been killed due to terrorism against road accidents!

Also I'm not sure I agree with your point of view regarding white people in Africa...The world has changed since the 60s for sure, but as far as I'm concerned I can't complain about being threatened because of the color of my skin.

[Bladestrike]

I agree with Bender, two years in East Africa and I've never felt threatened in the slightest. Fear mongering seems to be a big part of today's culture, but dive in, things are never as bad as most people make them out to be.