Photo By Spc. Reese Von Rogatsz | A TF Denali CH-47 Chinook helicopter, "Mudslinger," is refueled at Maira, a re-supply...... read more read more
Subscribe
PAKISTAN - Last July, unprecedented flooding struck Pakistan, a U.S. ally.
The heavy rains of the 2010 monsoon season and floods that followed displaced local inhabitants and caused widespread devastation to livelihood, property and infrastructure throughout the country. Nearly one-fifth of Pakistan’s land area was underwater.
Total population affected was in excess of 18 million, with 1.7 million houses damaged or destroyed and an estimated 2,000 deaths.
At the request of the Government of Pakistan, President Barack Obama authorized both immediate and long-term assistance for the battered South Asian nation.
The U.S. military provided fixed- and rotary- airlift capabilities in support of Pakistan’s flood relief efforts. Only 36 hours into the flooding, U.S. Air Force C-130 and C-17 aircraft had already begun aid flights.
Six U.S. Army helicopter were dispatched from Afghanistan to Ghazi Aviation Base and began urgently requested relief flights. U.S. Marine and Navy helicopters arrived shortly after, relieving Army counterparts.
In addition to these joint efforts, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, based out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska, received notification that its assets would be needed for additional support.
The brigade immediately identified 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment and other subordinate elements, to deploy to Pakistan as Task Force Denali.
The capabilities of the 18 helicopters from the 16th CAB, eight UH-60 Black Hawks and 10 CH-47 Chinooks, made them a smart match for the mountainous river valleys of northern Pakistan.
The deployment required strategic airlift, shipment and transportation to Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala, provided by the U.S. Air Force, C-5 and C-17 aircraft.
Requiring minimal assembly, the unit’s Black Hawks moved forward to Ghazi Aviation Base to begin taking command of operations in the north. Marine and Navy helicopters, ideal in flatter terrain, prepared to move south. Meanwhile, Chinooks were also assembled and brought online at a rate of one per day.
This shift enabled helicopter crews to maximize their aircraft performance capabilities and expand requested support to flood relief.
“The Black Hawks gave us the speed to respond once we initially arrived,” Lt. Col. John Knightstep, Task Force Denali commander said. “It also gave us the ability to get into more isolated areas to provide aid and support.”
Once Task Force Denali established support operations, the unit was dedicated to maximizing its potential, according to Knightstep.
“There is a higher sense of priority and effort given to the mission once you’ve seen the devastation throughout the area,” he said.
Pilot and commander of CH-47s, Capt. Travis Easterling, B Company, considered it to be a very valuable deployment due to the often demanding flight situations and the environments the unit encountered.
“You are constantly operating at a very high altitude, very high temperature and high gross weight,” Easterling said, invoking the aviation phrase "high, hot and heavy" with regard to the three most dangerous conditions for a helicopter. “You really have to know how to manage the aircraft.”
The aviators racked up the equivalent of nine months’ flight time in only three. The skill level of pilots and crews increased at an accelerated pace, according to Easterling.
“I’m very impressed with how well our leaders were able to measure up to the challenges,” Knightstep said.
Flight crews were just one component of the operation. Maintenance was essential to ensure the aircraft were able to fly and accomplish the mission.
D Company, Aviation Intermediate Maintenance, often performed aircraft maintenance “phases” in a quarter of the time it would normally take. In some instances, a 30-day phase was completed in just seven days.
“I think we were ready for that,” Task Force Denali Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Bailey said. “Key NCOs were placed in the right positions and I knew our capacities were able to meet expectations.”
To allow helicopters to reach remote communities, E Company, the Forward Support Company, established two separate Forward Area Refueling Point sites. Ten-person teams were sent north of Ghazi to Swat and Kohistan valleys.
“The main reason we set up FARPs is to extend the aircraft’s range,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Apfelbaum, platoon sergeant.
The FARP operations increased the number of hours available to fly each day, which meant more support provided, according to Knightstep.
The task force’s work ethic didn’t go unnoticed. Pakistan military personnel were able to see the soldiers and NCOs of Task Force Denali conduct these operations every day and were impressed with the unit’s performance and leadership capabilities, according to Bailey.
“This really made an impact on showing what the U.S Army is about and was instrumental in building relationships with the Pakistanis,” Bailey said.
The command adopted a philosophy geared toward furthering host nation relations.
“We never lost sight of building our relationship with Pakistan,” Knightstep said. “We worked every day to nurture that relationship.”
Allowing the soldiers to interact with the local Pakistanis was also an important piece to the operation and building relationships.
“I made sure that all soldiers were afforded the opportunity to get on the aircraft and see these good delivered, the personnel they were helping support and have some interface with the locals,” Bailey said.
By November, Task Force Denali achieved a significant milestone in supporting Pakistan’s flood relief efforts, exceeding 10 million pounds of relief supplies delivered.
“To reach that mark is a significant event, but more importantly, it represents the hard work the soldiers have done flying and maintaining the aircraft,” Knightstep said at the time. “The greatest success story is not only in helping the government and people of Pakistan – it is that the Soldiers still seemed motivated, still excited to do it.”
In coordination with the government of Pakistan, Task Force Denali successfully concluded its humanitarian assistance airlift mission on Nov. 30. Pakistan and U.S. officials gathered at Ghazi Aviation Base on Dec. 2 to mark the occasion with a ceremony.
Pakistan Army Lt. Gen. Asif Yasin Malik, commander, 11th Corps, addressed attendees:
“Ladies and gentlemen, this operation leaves an indelible mark on the people and armed forces of Pakistan. The Pakistan army and 11th Corps wish you safe flying and happy landings.”
Bailey, who has been on three deployment and several oversees tours, is proud of the unit’s performance and said the soldiers exceeded his expectations.
“What the soldiers did out there … they set a new standard for the Army. I’ve never seen anything like what our soldiers did,” Bailey said. “Watching these men and women grow into soldiers; this was probably my most rewarding deployment. They worked hard and did a great job.”
During U.S. military support of the flood relief efforts, U.S. helicopters flew more than 26 million pounds of relief supplies and carried more than 40,000 evacuees and passengers. Task Force Denali alone flew more than 3,500 flight hours delivering 14 million pounds of relief supplies and carrying more than 28,000 evacuees and passengers - about 53 percent of all relief supplies delivered and 71 percent of the total evacuees and passengers carried.
“Task Force Denali was treated as a family guest and welcomed warmly with open arms. I would like to thank the people of Pakistan and the Pakistan military for their support,” Knightstep said. “Task Force Denali witnessed Pakistan’s courage during one of the worst natural disasters and we salute you for your support and friendship.”
| Date Taken: | 01.19.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2011 19:06 |
| Story ID: | 63899 |
| Location: | PK |
| Web Views: | 248 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Task Force Denali: reflecting on flood relief efforts, by SSG Brooks Fletcher, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT