ANSF and ISAF provide humanitarian aid to Daykundi residents

Photo By Master Sgt. Patrick O'Reilly | One of two Kandahar Air Wing Mi-17 helicopters on a humanitarian aid mission flies with food and supplies to the northern Daykundi province April 22. Daykundi had suffered hardships due to their crops being decimated by a harsh winter.  

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

06.01.2012

Story by Tech. Sgt. Patrick O'Reilly 

ISAF Regional Command South

DAYKUNDI PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Afghan National Army, Air Force and International Security Assistance Force personnel worked in a cooperative effort to provide much-needed relief to the people of the town of Nili in the Daykundi province April 22 through May 22. Food and supplies were delivered to the area which suffered hardships due to their crops being decimated by a harsh winter. The humanitarian aid mission, named Operation Big Lift, was an ANA 205th Corps organized, planned and executed operation with ISAF assistance.

Airmen from the Kandahar Air Wing kicked off the mission when they flew two MI-17 helicopters April 22 to the 205th Corp’s Camp Hero in what was to be a series of runs delivering a total of roughly 19,000 kg of wheat, rice, tents, clothing, and tarps that was intended to help the people of Daykundi survive through to the next season.

“This is a 100 percent Afghan planned and operated mission,” said Capt. Ian Bertram, U.S. Army mentor. “Every week they are pulling off missions that they plan and carry out themselves. This is the first one of this nature that they have done in a couple of weeks.”

The 205th Corps overcame numerous mission complications, including inclement weather and mechanical failures. A system of thunderstorms hit the high altitudes of Nili, April 22, which resulted in the postponement of aid runs. Subsequently, the following day the Afghan Air Force flew in their MI-17’s and picked up two loads from the 205th Corps without any support from ISAF.

“Despite these issues the 205th Corps did an excellent job in prioritizing the supplies and insuring the most critical items arrived in a logical order, maximizing their effect and minimizing the suffering of the Daykundi people. Officers of the 205th Corps escorted the supplies to Daykundi. The people of Daykundi expressed gratitude and delight to the ANA and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for eliminating their suffering.” said Master Sgt. Leslie VanBelkum, Regional Command - South liaison officer to the ANA 205th Corps and an Afghan Hand.

ISAF supported later runs by the use of civilian aircraft and CH-47 Chinooks. The final stores of the relief supply were delivered on 22 May, completing Operation Big Lift.

• Date Taken: 06.01.2012
• Date Posted: 06.02.2012 11:50
• Story ID: 89333
• Location: KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF