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Air Vice Marshal Sumit Mukerji ‘flagged off’ the IAF ASU contingent today in New Delhi. The Indian Air Force has a long history of contribution to United Nations Peace Keeping operations. As early as 1961, the IAF contributed an element of Canberra bomber aircraft as part of the United Nations Operations in the Congo (ONUC). This was followed by contributions to UN missions in Somalia (1993) and Sierra Leone (2000), where the IAF contributed helicopter elements. The IAF at present operates a helicopter contingent in Goma and Bukavu and Airfield Services Unit (ASU) at Kindu, DRC as part of United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).
In the backdrop of internal ethnic strife in DRC the Eastern region is the most volatile. The terrain and the existing infrastructure in the region, make it imperative that a major portion of logistic operations is carried out by air. The main airport in eastern Congo. The IAF ASU comprising 120 personnel would be manning this base and supporting all UN air movements. The operations would include airport management, ramp operations, crash and fire fighting services, cargo and passenger handling, medical support, meterological services and communications.
UN has, on many occasions, recognized the professionalism and dedication of IAF personnel for contribution towards UN Peace Keeping Missions. IAF missions have stood strong during critical phases, which have facilitated the UN in executing its mandate. The performance of the ASU has been appreciated by the UN. The trust that the UN places on India in general and the IAF in particular has translated into the UN requesting for operation of the ASU for one more year.
The IAF ASU is classified as a specialist unit by the UN. This would have high demands on the performance expected of the unit. Towards this the unit personnel have been given adequate job orientation training combined with training on general peacekeeping operations and security. The IAF contingent of 120 personnel includes a 30-member security complement of commandos from the IAF’s Special Force Unit, the Garud Force. These men have undergone extensive training in both armed and unarmed combat with the Indian Army and the NSG.
While the contingent will aim to carry out the allotted task professionally and efficiently it would also attempt, through various activities, to wing the goodwill of the local population.
Despite the expected heavy job demand, the IAF contingent has been kept compact in size and you in age. Multi-skilling, high morale and proven professional competence of its personnel would prove to be the force multipliers to the IAF contingent. The contingent, led by Wg Commander GS Bedi, VM is all set to re-inforce India’s commitment to world peace in a manner that would do the country proud.
MU/NK
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