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DF deployment to Chad

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  • All this talk of aircraft for CAS recce etc. is a bit overboard. What the troops on the ground could really do with is having Irish aircraft able to do regular resupply runs, rather than relying on the Dutch and French as at present.

    i.e. a couple of these

    Which is exactly what the Chad airforce manages to operate, funnily enough.

    It'd also be nice to think the AW139s could manage to operate where they're needed sometime.

    Comment


    • Apologies for going over the top. In foul humour.

      To be honest, I can't get over the fact that this the Air Corps should be shouldering any of the current tasks in Chad. Holland and France in particular both have tonnes of equipment better suited to the environment (imo) than anything we've got. Even Austria has 13 or so PC-6's. They could fulfill all the roles of the Cessna and carry more - and are probably a bit better suited to ill prepared airfields.

      If it comes down to our military, after providing the next highest number of troops after France, to provide additional liaison/recce aircraft then I think this mission is almost farce.

      As I said, if a few crew could go out there and learn something I think that could be valuable.

      I'm more interested in what YJ mentions, transport aircraft like the C-130 or even the C-27. They can get the soldiers out in a hurry if the crap hits the fan, or transport Mowags, or at least lighter vehicles to forward bases.

      Bandit, you are right, his idea isn't without some good sense and top cover is always going to be useful but I just have serious doubts about the logic of the Air Corps being the ones to provide it in low and slow Cessna's with no sensor fit and a tiny load carrying ability.

      Maybe in another universe there'd be a fleet of CASA's, a portion of which you could send out to fulfill a similar role to the RAF's Nimrod in Afghanistan.

      But again, what do I know.

      As regards aircraft age, I copped on to how that's a non runner in and of itself after posting, but in rant mode, left it in. Consider me chastened.
      Last edited by pym; 31 May 2008, 00:28.

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      • Pym , U are a gent and I agree entirely re the capacity of the are corps to provide as well as ypour comments on supply flts

        Comment


        • Russia says fighter pilot shot down in Sudan was an ex-military officer

          By Wasil Ali

          May 29, 2008 (WASHINGTON) — The Russian government confirmed that one of its citizens was killed during clashes that erupted near the Sudanese capital earlier this month.

          Russia’s news agency (Interfax) quoted an unidentified official as saying that a retired military pilot died in combat “when his MiG-29F fighter jet was shot down by rebels”.

          The Russian official said that the pilot, whose name was not released, was a trainer pilot who signed a contract to work in Sudan.

          However it the official did not provide details on why the trainer pilot boarded the MIG-29 during the heavy fighting that broke out in Omdurman, across the river Nile from Khartoum.


          Comment


          • Originally posted by pym View Post
            So is easyrider actually carrington? Or just someone who does a chillingly good impression
            Carrington "Left" in November 07,

            Easyrider "Joined" in December 07....



            Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

            Comment


            • I just popped this in the news, but I thought it might be appropriate here too, probably a non story but, news is news.




              By Tom Brady Security Editor

              Saturday May 31 2008

              A military investigation has been launched into the alleged leaking of a photograph of members of the Army Ranger Wing holding talks with heavily armed rebels in Chad.

              The photograph was taken by a Ranger during an hour-long discussion with the rebels following a tense stand-off between the two groups in an isolated village.

              A copy of the photo is alleged to have been subsequently leaked and ended up in the hands of officials from other countries, amid concerns that it could be used as propaganda against the Irish peacekeepers.

              Senior Irish military officers insisted last night the Rangers had adopted the correct procedures in deciding to talk to the rebels, who had outnumbered them by more than six to one in the surprise encounter.

              Rebels

              They said the talks could not be interpreted as indicating that the Irish were fraternising with the rebels or a breach of their status of complete impartiality.

              It also emerged last night that the military authorities in Dublin did not become aware of the incident, which took place on May 11 last in the village of Modoyna, until it was highlighted in the media last week.

              Details of a second incident involving the peacekeepers and a camera also came to light.

              Two Irish military police were on patrol on Wednesday morning when they decided to take a photograph of the main street of the town of Goz Beida, where the troops are based.

              Shortly after 8.30am, a three-man patrol from the Chadian military police drove into the shopping area and were inadvertently photographed by the Irish troops.

              The Chadians immediately jumped out of their patrol vehicle and demanded that the digital camera be handed over.

              After the initial tension, the Irish reassured the Chadians that were taking the photographs for their personal use and had not intended to include them in the frame.

              Camera

              The Chadians were shown the photograph and handed back the camera. As a result of the incident, an Army spokesman said last night that the private use of cameras by the troops in Chad would be reviewed.

              Meanwhile, the Irish officer in charge of the EU force in Chad, Lieut Gen Pat Nash, has ordered an inquiry into the allegation surrounding the Ranger photograph.

              The 30 Rangers were on an eight-day patrol when they entered Modoyna village and encountered a group of about 200 members of the splinter rebel group, the UFCD (Union of Forces for Change and Democracy).

              The UFCD played a major role in the shock rebel assault on the Chadian capital, N'Djamena in February.

              After the two groups had faced off, the Rangers used Chadian interpreters to initiate talks during which the Irish explained they were impartial and were in the country to ensure the safety of refugees.

              An Army spokesman said the groups exchanged views and left the village after an hour.

              - Tom Brady Security Editor
              http://www.independent.ie/national-n...o-1393090.html
              Dr. Venture: Why is it every time I need to get somewhere, we get waylaid by jackassery?

              Dr. Venture: Dean, you smell like a whore

              Comment


              • Supposedly propping up a corrupt government, while at the same time "fraternizing" with the rebels.

                There's a head scratching smiley I'd be using right now if it was on this forum.

                Doesn't seem they can be just left alone to do their job.

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                • I've herad from a couple of reliable sources that two containers were stripped clean between unloading from the port in cameroon to Goz. Can any one confirm this?
                  "The Question is not: how far you will take this? The Question is do you possess the constitution to go as far as is needed?"

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                  • Anyone moving vulnerable supplies should have an (discrete)armed guard on them, as the Chadian Govt won't replace the lost stuff.I think the Irish Army need to ring Concern or Trocaire and have a word about real life in Africa...
                    regards
                    GttC

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                    • You mean Africa as opposed to that very eastern part of the mediterranean where Liberia and Eritrea are?

                      Perhaps you should accept you don't have the full story rather than jumping in faster than you can drop a tinfoil hat.
                      "It is a general popular error to imagine that loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for it's welfare" Edmund Burke

                      Comment


                      • Originally posted by Come-quickly View Post
                        You mean Africa as opposed to that very eastern part of the mediterranean where Liberia and Eritrea are?
                        Want to check again? :D



                        Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

                        Comment


                        • Yes it is not confirmed and perhaps never will be if two containers were stripped.It could be a ballhop.
                          The big differences between the deployments in Liberia, Eiritrea and Chad was the fact that the first two did not involve a long overland haulage of equipment.
                          I am sure the military planners drove the route , if not then they need a kick in the arse.
                          The transport and infrastructure network in Africa ( with the exception of Sth Africa , Zim, Botswana) is generally very poor , beyond the imagination of anyone who has not experinced it, Handling facilities, customs, security at ports are usually diabolical, bridges if they exsists are often in complete disrepair and the roads if tarred are potholed and if unpaved well often u are better driving parrallel to the road thru the bush.
                          Truck drivers stop trucks and sleep on the side of the road usaully at local beerhalls, qat chewing tea shops etc usually attended to by a bevy of local hookers and resident thieves. Anything that is not welded down is fair game .
                          I was surprised to see from the recently posted photos of the base that there was so much greenery . Of equal interest was the type of soil in the area that I guess is going to be very exspansive and become a real nightmare to travel thru when /if heavy rains occur. The operation is indeed a logisticaI challenge and hopefullly a learning experience.

                          Comment


                          • Originally posted by easyrider View Post
                            The French Mirages are part of the bilateral French support for the Chadian regime, which is supposed to be a completely separate operation from the EUFOR humanitarian mission. Gen. Nash and others have been at pains to emphasise this to the locals in Chad, so that Irish and other EUFOR troops will not be seen as taking sides in the conflict there.
                            The French DOD are describing the 3 Mirage F1 CR and 3 Mirage F1 CT as 'Des yeux pour l’EUFOR':

                            Each day, Mirage F1 join eastern Chad in the zone of action of EUFOR troops and begin the recognition of refugee camps or displaced Sudanese in Chad. A C135 tanker full tanks of F1 during their mission, while Puma SATER (Rescue Aero TERrestre), are on alert throughout the duration of flight hunters. After the flight, once the Mirage parked, it is the turn of interprétateurs photos (IP) to take over. The images are analyzed, a mission report is prepared by the pilot and image specialists. A few minutes after the break engines this report reaches the General Staff of EUFOR.



                            You will never have a quiet world until you knock the patriotism out of the human race

                            Comment


                            • Are you slow?
                              "It is a general popular error to imagine that loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for it's welfare" Edmund Burke

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by Fireplace View Post

                                That's the biggest line of coke I've ever seen.
                                My pistol is loaded I shot Betty Crocker,delivered Colonel Sanders down to Davie Jones' locker

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