UN Memoirs – 5 …… A timely Jugaad
By
Colonel Akhil Gupta, Retd
UN Mission in Angola, for its operational and administrative management had divided Angola geographically in 6 regions. Northern, which included Cabinda was the smallest while our Eastern Region was the largest. In order to effectively respond to the Mission’s operational requirements of identifying violations of ceasefire, facilitate surrender of armed UNITA, besides many others and also support logistically the UN posts in field, the Eastern region had a Russian MI – 4 Helicopter unit and an 8-seater Cessna civil aircraft.
These assets were placed under me to respond at short notice. The flight plan for both had to be submitted mere 15 to 30 minutes in advance. Even this was a formality since the nearest airport where flights were more than one per day was only at the capital, Luanda. And, that was far more than a 3-hour journey by my winged asset.
Cessna was extensively used for destinations that were more distant where I would be met with UN team from the outpost and then we would travel by road for our tasks. At all outposts in my Eastern Region, the landing strips were un-concretised, just paved levelled. Sometimes when the affected parties did not want us to investigate, they would dig up a trench in the middle of the runway path and we would have to return with mission unaccomplished.
Prior to landing, our usual modus-operandi were a pre check involving flying over the landing strip to ascertain if its level without any obstruction, undug and no stray cattle is loitering in the path. Usually, a number of close low level landing runs had to be executed just to drive the cattle away by the noise of the propellers from the vicinity of the track.
On one occasion, in my early days at Luena, I had travelled in the Cessna to our distant outpost 90 mins flying distance for meeting on a sufficiently large violation along with the Govt representative. The meeting was delayed disproportionately and the investigation dragged on for an unduly long time. Finally, we were only able to recommence our return journey flight close to sunset. This set-in motion the challenge relevant to this article.
Once we took off, our pilot gave us the gloomy news that though he had been constantly pushing us for timely take off, we had delayed it by more than an hour. This should not have been of much concern had the landing facility at our base, Luena been equipped with night landing facility.
Here, even the basic lighting facilities did not exist. The airport was not equipped to take on any emergencies whatsoever. There were no generators or fire-fighting equipment at the airport for more than 2 years. The ATC with its broken windows was never manned.
In the ensuing exhausting discussions at the post, I had missed the vital importance of timely take-off. Now, we had a real-time challenge with no ready answers. The pilot informed us that the UN standard protocol involved carriage of additional fuel to an extent that they must be able to able to fly to the nearest airport which offers basic night landing facility. In our case, that was Luanda, the capital, a further 4-hours of flying distance.
This meant a new place, away from base for which I was not prepared. All I could do was curse at the disappointing news and accept it as destiny. But that was not all. The Govt representative with us was furious and started a fuss. He was absolutely unwilling to spend the night away from the base. His disagreement turned into bickering leading to aggressive behaviour. Physically immobilising the burly 6-footer Govt representative was more than daunting. Something had to be done to control him ASAP.
Over the propeller noise of the Cessna, I huddled in with the pilot to find an alternative. Any untoward incident inside the aircraft would endanger stability of the light Cessna, especially if we encountered a weather disturbance. Small aircraft is susceptible to greater turbulence.
As also, we wanted to avoid a diplomatic fiasco later. With reluctance, the pilot came out with an option. If I declared an emergency and authorised him in writing, he could risk it all by attempting to land at Luena, our base after dark. All our lives hinged on it. With no other alternative, I agreed to authorise circumventing the laid down safety procedures.
I spoke on the RT of the Cessna to my base, and asked my team to light up the airport with at least 10 vehicles. NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (Belgium) was requested to position their medical team at the airport. A water tanker rigged with water pump, albeit with only a 4-5 metre pipe coupled to it was also brought in. Desi jugaad was fully activated. To avoid further diplomatic faux pas, the Governor was also briefed of the evolving unfortunate situation.
As we approached the airport, the landing strip was barely visible in the dark by the subdued glow from the headlights of the vehicles parked along its edges. We could just make out the landing strip extent and alignment, made possible by 4 vehicles on either side and one each at the start and end. The landing was going to be a challenge.
Was it going to be a thrill too, we did not know. We lay faith in providence and the skill of the pilot. Any veering off the runway could result in collision with our vehicles or the ditches nearby. As we approached the strip, we felt a surge of adrenaline more due to fear rather than excitement.
With prayers on our lips, the touch-down happened smoothly and feeling the wheels hit the ground with a gentle thud was the beginning of our happiest moments. As the aircraft’s engine was turned off, the propellers slowed down and the staircase lowered, we were greeted by applause and cheers from our UN compatriots on the ground. It was the pilot’s skill, instincts and positive attitude, and team’s quick response that carried the day.
The whole lot of UN colleagues and expatriates from International NGO’s had rallied for help. Looking rationally, I know Luena was bereft of all entertainment and hence, the entire lot had turned up to witness an unprecedented event. This would be one in a lifetime, irrespective of its outcome and none would miss it.
Soon we were in our UN makeshift bar at the Eastern Region’s Luena HQ, celebrating the end of an amazing day where the pilot was repeatedly toasted and honoured with the spontaneous title “Hero of the Tarmac”.
