Kabul Madness
 

To the Balmoral guys, we are sharing your grief today. A very dark day for those still on tour....to the families, our thoughts are with you. A sad way to go for those struggling to get a job back home.

For those of you guys considering staying, think of your families....the money is not worth it. To the management, do you still think your head in the sand attitude towards security is prudent?

Blue Skies B.

By Al Arabiya with Agencies

Afghan insurgent group Hezb-e-Islami claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a minibus that killed 12 people, including 7 foreigners, near Kabul airport on Tuesday and said it was launched in retaliation for a film mocking the Prophet Mohammed.

“A woman wearing a suicide vest blew herself up in response to the anti-Islam video,” said Zubair Sediqqi, a spokesman for Hezb, which does not usually carry out such attacks, according to Reuters.

A senior police source said seven of those killed were foreigners working for an international courier company.

An Afghan official confirmed the death toll and said that two Afghan policemen were wounded. “The foreigners were from a private company working at the airport,” the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The attack took place on the eight-lane highway in front of a wedding hall, but at the time of the blast, sometime after 6:30 am (0200 GMT), the road would have been deserted.

Witnesses said there was smoke spewing into the sky and a heavy police deployment at the scene of the attack, contributing to a major traffic snarl-up on the busy road.

The attack underscored growing anger in Afghanistan over the film, which has enraged much of the Muslim world and led to the killing last week of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans.

Thousands of protesters clashed with police in the Afghan capital on Monday, burning cars and hurling rocks at security forces in the worst outbreak of violence since February rioting over the inadvertent burning of copies of the Quran by U.S. soldiers.

The suicide attack was the first in Kabul involving a woman and the foreigners killed were mostly Russian and South African pilots working for an international courier company, senior police sources said.

Condolences
 

I can't agree more. People do not realise how dangerous Afghanistan is-especially the desk jockeys back home in their airconditioned offices figuring out how to save a buck at the aircrews expense. It is truly sickening and is endemic to SA aviation at present. All of them are chasing the now not so mighty $. Our deepest condolences to those who perished in a far away land in someone elses fight. Stand together guys-insist on security, flares chaff etc. We will all continue to be prime targets as long as the companies try and save money by basing their crews in the country, better get based outside and fly in and then back out again.

Terrible terrible news. In some ways was so surprised it hadn't happened sooner with these countries so unpredictable and dangerous. So sick to death with elements in Islam that are so aggressive and who are totally not tolerant of anything but their views and way of life. If there is an Allah or God surely it's up to him to lay out justice when the time comes and not man ??

any names released yet?

Kabul Suicide Blast
 

RIP to all those good people taken so senselessly in Kabul this morning.

What a sad day for aviation, for the Balmoral crew and their family's. The guys would have probably been trying to get their career going and provide for their family at home and then someone made a video on YouTube... Makes me sick.

Kabul madness
 

Don't necessarily blame Balmoral, as there is only so much a company can do.
If one is going to work from a known compound and wearing the uniform or not it matters little.
If you have seen the traffic in Kabull**** you will understand that survival from a coordinated plot would be almost futile.
Those that forage here for "Aviation" and salary don't despair, one word you learn very quickly is "ensharla".The boys understood and know of the "long lines" waiting to replace them.
They had a choice.
Today I pain. I heard the blast.

Vagabond is right.. this wasn't a lack of security issue in the compound but an attack in traffic.. and that's very easy to carry out when the traffic is jammed up as is the case en-route to the airport...
There are security compounds very close to the airport and it might be time for contract companies to re-think the Kabul housing in Akhbar Kahn district.. Another improvement might be to stop using easily identifiable vehicles such as large shiny SUVs and people movers.. I always feel pretty relaxed when being driven by a local driver in an ordinary car.. often with an Afghan scarf around my neck... why try to stand out ?

"Don't necessarily blame Balmoral, as there is only so much a company can do. If one is going to work from a known compound and wearing the uniform or not it matters little. If you have seen the traffic in Kabull**** you will understand that survival from a coordinated plot would be almost futile. Those that forage here for "Aviation" and salary don't despair, one word you learn very quickly is "ensharla".The boys understood and know of the "long lines" waiting to replace them. They had a choice. Today I pain. I heard the blast."

Humm....You obviously did not work for them. Without getting into the short comings, there is a hell of a lot a company can do. Starting with the obvious, if you become the biggest South African contracting company in Afghan, you need to have your ducks in a row starting with what you call yourselves on a fuel slip.

Blame......it is rather futile at this stage. Enough to say that in any conflict situation, if a company is making good profit, there should be no expense spared at basic security.

As to the long lines of guys waiting in the wings to replace them, time shall tell. I know a lot of guys that will rather change career than go back....so shake the tree and watch the monkeys fall out. Most of the guys would have given the left nut for a job back home. It was never about the money.....time will also tell if the other SA based companies are now going to adleast match the US based salaries.

I agree with you on one point.....there is a lot of pain and it is close to home....

Shake the tree, shake the tree....:ugh:

Nice in theory GS but the reason that the South African companies are getting the contracts in the first place is that they bid much lower and can do that based on their relatively low expenditure re: salaries...
Increase in salaries would equal a loss of income/contracts.

RIP you guys.

One way to deal with these suicide bombers. You gotta think like them. They are thinking about the afterlife. To combat this scourge, think of their afterlife too.

Feed their remains to pigs. Or scoop up the remains, sew it up inside a pig and bury it facing west. In a pig farm.

No virgins, no paradise.

Do it every time and no more suicide bombers.

My condolences to the family and friends of those lost. I've been shot around on contract, but this is terrible.

There's that religion of peace at work again. Hand me my MQ9 control station, there's work to be done...

Well said African Skies, although I say don't waste the pig, let the remains pass through the full intestinal system and drop out the other end.

Condolences to the families and Balmoral team.

My most sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in Kabul today.

RIP fellers. Blue skies.

Why did they travel in a non-armoured bus?Security not a primary issue for Balmoral then..so so sad.

My condolences to all concerned, a very sad day.
May their memory be a blessing.

I go to bed very sad this morning, the very first person to ever take me flying was among the blast victims, a real hardworking, unassuming gentleman of aviation.

It is heart wrenching just thinking about how senseless these killings are, i am lost for words.

May all the victims rest in eternal peace, and may their families find the strength and courage to move on. Very sad indeed! :sad:

Time for any civilian operation in a war zone to think like the military, and operate under military tactics. There's no "safe" areas in Afghanistan, it's no different to Vietnam.
The anti-attack tactics involve dispersion, first up. A minivan full of attractive Taliban targets, might as well have a bullseye mounted on it. There's no way 8, 10 or a dozen Westerners should travel in a minivan.
Split 'em up, and let the local taxis transport them, one or two at a time. Instruct the taxis to keep a minimum separation distance of 150M.

There was one particular VC attack during the Vietnam war that drove the message home. Some office pogoes from HQ in Nui Dat decided they wanted to experience the war first hand.
9 of 'em climbed into an APC for a swan around when the APC's went on patrol.
They left the hatch open. It only took one VC to place a 155mm shell in the centre of the track, to bring the APC's to a halt, suspecting a booby trap.
As soon as the APC's stopped, the VC stepped out of the J alongside the last APC - the one carrying all the pogoes - and he chucked a 10kg satchel charge through the open hatch. I saw the result, and it wasn't pretty.
That was a very black day for Australian forces, and it need not have happened, if standard loss-minimisation tactics had been enforced.

Condolences to all at Balmoral, their families and friends -
As foreigners and crew operating in a war zone such as Afganistan, DRC, Sudan etc.... we need to be constantly aware of the situation around us.
As in onetrack's story - you must not allow yourself to be put in danger like this ie: a minibus full of westerners stopped at a gas station (Apparently) by the side of the main road (Eight South Africans killed by suicide bomber on Kabul airport road (VIDEO) | GlobalPost)
I hope the lesson we all learn from this tradegy is pay attention ALL the time just like we do when we were flying - I know when you get in the crew bus it is normal to just sit back, relax and zone out, engaging in small chit chat while watching the city pass by - but in these countries you MUST keep situational awareness at ALL times.
All it would have taken to avoid this misery is to say to the driver NO - take us to the airport FIRST and then go back and refuel the bus - it's that simple.
May we all heed the lesson here to avoid future loss.:sad:

My mood is very black in typing this reply, please allow me a few thoughts, before you flame me.

When working in Afghanistan, you try and keep a low profile, by driving what most of the masses drive. Toyota 4 Runners and 16 seaters. By driving in an up armoured vehicle, you make yourself that more identifiable.

It is now easy to appropriate blame and point fingers. I met the owner of Balmoral on a flight from Afghanistan, while working on contract, and a more passionate man who took care of his employees, you would not find. Seth(cannot remember his name)??, my sincerest condolences to your loss.

The biggest mistake that was made in my humble opinion, was for them to use a road daily at the same time. Their movements were predictable and easy to identify, they should have varied their routes and at different times. But this is all in hindsight.

May their families find peace in the fact that they were there to do good in the world, try and make a better living for their families and just make a difference. Before you have not been in the same situation, please do not even try to form an opinion, or throw stones.

R.I.P my fellow comrades

An armoured vehicle would not help with the type of IED's used. Even an APC would have given little defense...unless it was a Casper.

My two cents worth on improvements ( and I am not saying none of these are currently in place with SA companies ) would be;

Move to the Dyncorp side of the airfield.
Move into the green village. You could use the back gate.
Move to Bagram.
Move to Khandahar.
Use local sedan transport. Split large groups.
Vary routes. Yes, there are only two...
Defensive driver training.
No travel in uniforms.
Spotter vehicles.
Ensure the drivers are not based at the compound and know little of the crew life within the compound.
Split the compound into smaller groups and at separate locations.
Heavy duty gates and mantrap areas.
Have razor wire / electric fences along all rear walls.
Use perimeter motion detection.
Panic siren and panic buttons accessible at all locations.
Safe areas secured with blast doors and armed security based within the secure area such as a roof.
Have access control to intermediate areas, especially entertainment / dinning where large groups gather at set times.
Employ a security manager who is separate to the business unit and can make independent calls.
Dis-associate yourself from the principle client and actively advertise that.
Screen local staff.
Adhere to all security advisories issued by the private security companies.

What is worrying is this seems like a planned and co-ordinated attack. I.E. this was not being at the wrong place at the wrong time. In other words, assume the worst and consider the compound to be the next target.

This now makes most of the civilian contractor compounds unsuitable. It is time to move asap.

Oh, and like when the weather is marginal, refuse to fly. If it's meant to be a black day.....it's black and cancel flights...

Please let lessons be learnt and practical solutions be implemented for those that decide to stay. As South Africans, we have become to desensitised to violence and in turn have become complacent.

For the rest, lets see the local aviation community in SA offer work to those guys who have young families and choose not to return.

Come on SAA, how about offering the contract guys a slot ?

A up armoured vehicle would also not have protected them, i have photos of a VBED that hit a Dyncorp convoy in Herat in 2008, the car is toast.

Keep in mind, that they are speculating that she was in a car, that crashed into the SUV/ bus, with a force of that explosion it destroyed everything in the death acre ( doods akker). This was planned and executed with military precision. Look at the photos on news24.

The VBED's carry massive amounts of explosives and it is not the bang that kills, but more the force of the blast, that kills on impact.

Disgusting Pictures IOL
 

Ok guys, here's a challenge to see if there is any brotherhood in the aviation community..... let's see if we even have any bark left in us...

The pictures on the Independent Online website are both inappropriate, disgusting, perverted and offensive to the memory of our friends.

This is does not even take into account the effect of the families and children involved.

So the challenge is;

1. Boycott all IOL products till the pictures are removed.
2. Everyone flood the pressombudsman @ ombudsman.org.za with a complaint regarding the pictures being offensive and inappropriate for publication.
3. To never purchase a copy of GQ magazine for the rest of your life.

The IOL group is part of News and Media, an international company. The subsidiaries to add to your hit list is;

Cape Times.
Business Report.
Cape Argus.
Daily News.
Independent on Saturday.
Mercury.
Star.
Sunday Independent.
GQ Mag.

To the guys of you that add those print media into the cargo hold, double check the paperwork, I am sure there is a problem with the load and it needs to be left on the apron.

So, lets see if a bunch of South Africans can actually organise a piss-up in a brewery....

BBC reporting Edinburgh woman killed

The pictures have been pulled...

Thanks to those that bothered to send through an email...

I still feel that they should apologise and now help remove some of the images left on google.

I stand by the request regarding GQ......you should not be reading that junk unless your initials are LH.

Let them feel the pain of their poor decision....most of their publications are only good for use in a dodgy Afghan long-drop :mad:

The Department has consulted with the families of the deceased and hereby releases their names with permission from their families.

Christian Johannes Justus PRETORIUS, aged 30, Pretoria, Gauteng

Fraser Angus CAREY, aged 31, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Brandon Quinn BOOTH, aged 47 , Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal

Johan Abraham VAN HUYSSTEEN, aged 31, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Johan Frederick BOUCHAUD, aged 30, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Johannes Judenis HUMPHRIES, aged 65, Centurion, Gauteng

Steven LEONG, aged 31, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Jenny Margaret AYRIS,aged 46, Scotland, United Kingdom

From Avcom...:uhoh:

For those who have been there feel priviledge to have returned safe, I do. For these pour sauls and there families my deepest sympathy.

And do what? The reason most of us fly contracts is that the opportunities in SA are limited, more so for those of a lighter hue under current SA legislation.

There are always two points of view.....

In my opinion the salaries should be adleast between what Dyncorp pays and the helicopter chaps...i.e. $ 750 per day. Some have argued that the only reason SA based companies have got the contracts is because they are cheap. That certainly is not the case with Balmoral.

There is a lot of fat in their contract which will more than likely have to be spent on alternative accommodation. With regard to NAC around $375 and Solenta at about $300, the figures do not add up. NAC are offering $225 ( captains we are talking here ) for Yemen.

It seems the contracting company bean counters have got together and had a round table discussion on reducing salaries. It is high time the guys stick together and do a mine workers strike. If people are going to go back to Afghan, you better make sure it's going to keep the wife smiling. I also suggest companies rethink the 3 x annual salary life payout.

At $ 400 per day on a 6/6 rotation, that only makes it R 48,000 per month on month salary. Certainly not worth it for the risk considering what you can take home at SAX if you can get in.

Our first priority is to open up the local market and second is to make it clear to companies that as professionals, we deserve a fair salary.

There are certainly just as many other dodgy spots where SA companies operate and security risk assessment needs to be more than just IED's or suicide attacks.

Yes, people will undercut, pay for ratings and generally stab each other in the back, but we need to find some common ground and learn from this sad event.

Anyway, fire away.....just my two cents worth....

Yeah-yeah
 

There is always some jerk off like "always flunking" telling pilots to return to RSA and to be loved by him and the industry even though there are no jobs.
Flunking just stay out of it, you are not here and your flatulent comments to '
"come home" go on wasted ears.
We don't need wet nursing as South Africans, but better security support.
One decides to fly here and gets employed or one decides and is rejected, you may be the latter.
This is not a pansy picnic.....but neither are the boys here pansies.

Leave us alone.

Sly comment? Do one, throbber. I've lost enough mates and colleagues doing this and come close to it myself more than once, so dry your eyes.

Fact is, there isn't enough work at home to absorb 70 odd crew at the moment. Perhaps if things pick up that may change, but right now there are guys out there busting themselves to take care of their families because the prospects in SA are not good. Unfortunately, SA contract companies tender lower than most by screwing crews on basic pay and per diems, not to mention dodgier accommodation and conditions.

Hopefully this tragic event will be a wake up call, and it may well lead to change in the short term. Human nature being what it is, the long term prospects will just be eroded once more the minute the pressure is off, and the next batch of guys willing to fly for peanuts roll up with their brand new McRatings.


Edited to add:- FYI, most of Africa is a war zone to some extent or another. Guaranteeing your safety just about anywhere on the continent, including SA, is just not possible.

I agree . There just isn't enough work available in South Africa.....it's sad but true !!!

IMHO the last three years has seen the demise of a few once great companies to fly for.

Ie. executive aerospace
Rossair
Executive turbine

And most recently Velvet Sky.....

Well...that backfired.

The crux of the matter is that although what you say is true and I agree with your sentiments Always Flying, it will fall on deaf ears. As SRT says, if what you say moves 50 crew members to leave, there WILL BE 50 more waiting here to replace them.

Speaking to pilot friends of mine, and in light of this shocking event (RIP :(), I asked who would consider going to Afghan tomorrow if offered a job by a contract company?

Out of a group of 6 of us, 1 said he wouldn't. Granted, none of us are married or have kids yet but we do have girlfriends/family etc. to think about. That's the reality of it and their answers were predictable.

Just an idea of the mindset of young pilots in SA at the moment. Like it or not, it's that of desperation.

Be wary of bragging on PPRUNE
 

RSA ATPL 1975
21000+hrs
10 countries licenses,5 intl validations
7000+ NG/ P1 plus other heavy aluminum.
Flown the planet
B200/ B1900 and the best, DC-3

Can't remember when I got a PPL though, I must admit you could be right.
Leave us alone.

Don't worry, that mythical pilot shortage is probably being predicted to come up again soon, so there won't be a metric f**kton of guys waiting in the wings to come to war zones....oh wait....

Contracts are unfortunately what most of us have had to go through to get somewhere better. Saying 'come home' is like saying 'stop flying and give it up', so no surprises on the reaction that comment gets. I am very much less than impressed with SA contract companies though - basically lip service to crew safety in many cases (and not just OPSEC type stuff, also the aviation side).

We lost some folks. Never a good thing. The mawkish sentiment from those who have no clue shouldn't detract from that. Until we as crew can count on the contract pimps to properly back us up, this kind of crap will continue. No point in holding your breath. We still need to earn a living so better we suck it up and secure our own arses. Expecting the operators to cut into the dividends to make things right is pointless.We can only rely on ourselves and our colleagues. OPSEC and PERSEC are paramount. Fly safe and watch your arse.

Mate, in many ways what you say is dead right. But.

You really have to join the circus and go there, do that etc to really understand about life in the Haz Pay zone. Its not black & white.

RIP the fallen.

Bottom line is that there are always pilots waiting for their " break "
Captains won't be easy to replace due the high time on type PIC requirement
the UN etc require. FO'S would be easier I would imagine.

It would be nice to hear from Solenta on the debate about pay, crew , etc
on here, as we know he posts on this forum.

Stay safe and save your cash for a rainy day.