OPERATION PLES DRAI PAPUA NEW GUINEA DROUGHT

THE PNG AND AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCES WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE PEOPLE OF PNG DURING THE 1997 – 1998 DROUGHT

AIR CREW BATTLE SMOKE & MOUNTAINS

Aviation crews from the Australian Army's, Townsville-based, 5th Aviation Regiment are facing a greater challenge than the cloud spearing peaks of the Owen Stanley Range during drought relief operations in PNG.

The constant haze of thick smoke from bush fires burning out of control covers Port Moresby like a giant white blanket from the early hours of the morning moving slowly north by noon.

The troops from the 5th Aviation Regiment are in PNG to support the joint ADF air operations assisting the PNG Government combat the effects of the drought across the country.

Ten aircraft which include: three Army Black Hawks, two Army Chinooks, three Royal Australian Air Force Caribou and two Royal Australian Air Force C-130 form the backbone of the ADF contingent in PNG assisting in the drought relief operations. Under guidance of the PNG government drought relief coordinating agency, the ADF aircraft are taking food to remote communities in the worst hit areas.

The air operation will deliver supplies at a rate in excess of 600 tonnes per month to the most severely affected areas only accessible by air.

Officer Commanding "B" Squadron and Black Hawk pilot Major Joe Rears said in some cases pilots had to climb to 8,000 feet over Port Moresby before heading north relying on GPS (Global Positioning Systems) for navigation.

"The smoke is an obstacle but it's not something we haven't been able to beat. It really just depends on how thick it is on any given day. We train to fly in low cloud conditions and the procedures, for heavy smoke are quite similar," Maj Rears said.

Smoke can also take a toll on engine performance. Particles within the smoke can stick to the engines. To combat this the engines need to be rinsed with special chemicals after each flight.

"There are a lot of limitations here and at the end of the day we will put safety first. However, so far we've been very fortunate and the crews have been able to overcome these obstacles and get the food to the villages that desperately need it," Maj Rears said.

Once the smoke and mountains are breached the crews have the added task of coordinating the delivery of the supplies along with PNG Police and the PNGDF. Loadmasters, in particular, have to be alert for children and other recipients on the LZ. And like most work in the Army teamwork is paramount.

The delivery of rice and the relief supplies is appreciated by the people who receive them. They don't always realise what it takes to get it to them but on the ground their appreciation is always evident as crowds swarm the aircraft and wave wildly as the Australians depart for another load.

By: Captain Chip Henriss-Anderssen - November 11 ,1997

Air Crew Battle Smoke & Mountains Picture Gallery.