All seems quiet
Well after the incidents a couple of weeks ago things seemed to have quietened down here in sector 1. But I must confess that much of the news passes me by. I am dividing most of my time between the office and the airport resulting in 12 hour+ working days 7 days a week. And that with 50C-60C temperatures on the tarmac. I'm glad I can hit the sack when I get home. Under these conditions you start to call everywhere you can sleep relatively undisturbed home. The past few weeks I have been able to fly to a couple of places to break the routine. For those interested here in Juba we host a Be-200 KingAir, Let-410, Mi-8 Helicoptes, Super Puma helo with medevac configuration and an Mi-26 transport helicopter. These are just our local assets. The rest of the UN fleet that regularly passes through consists of MD-83, B-737, Antonov 74, Dash-8, Ilyushin 76 and L-100 Hercules aircraft.
(Mi-26, now that's a HUGE helicopter)
My job along with my colleagues Julio (ex Honduran Lt Col pilot) , Einar(Norwegian Air Force major)and Shaban(local guy) is to ensure the fleet keeps flying. At least in our neck of the woods. That sometimes requires some flexibility because like the Dutch railways the UN doesn't like to stick to the planned schedule. This often leads to passengers getting stuck and having to take the next flight...usually 4-5 days later.
(plains between Juba and Maridi)
At least from the air you have a magnificent view of the landscape. The only thing that's missing is the wildlife. Well, apart from some birds. It seems most animals were poached or have fled the area because of the wars. However, they seem to be returning slowly. There even seems to be a small herd of elephants roaming the plains about 20 miles East of Juba. The only "wildlife" I have seen here are frogs, lizards, hawks and maribus. Oh and one small monkey in Torit. The maribus scavenge the waste plots around the camps near the airfield. Due to their ever increasing numbers they are starting to pose risk a risk to aviation safety.
(Maribu stork)
(Mi-26, now that's a HUGE helicopter)
My job along with my colleagues Julio (ex Honduran Lt Col pilot) , Einar(Norwegian Air Force major)and Shaban(local guy) is to ensure the fleet keeps flying. At least in our neck of the woods. That sometimes requires some flexibility because like the Dutch railways the UN doesn't like to stick to the planned schedule. This often leads to passengers getting stuck and having to take the next flight...usually 4-5 days later.
(plains between Juba and Maridi)
At least from the air you have a magnificent view of the landscape. The only thing that's missing is the wildlife. Well, apart from some birds. It seems most animals were poached or have fled the area because of the wars. However, they seem to be returning slowly. There even seems to be a small herd of elephants roaming the plains about 20 miles East of Juba. The only "wildlife" I have seen here are frogs, lizards, hawks and maribus. Oh and one small monkey in Torit. The maribus scavenge the waste plots around the camps near the airfield. Due to their ever increasing numbers they are starting to pose risk a risk to aviation safety.
(Maribu stork)
posted by Jan at Wednesday, April 05, 2006
1 Comments:
Nice to read about other Dutch people in Sudan. I am based in Kapoeta (Eastern Equatoria State) and am working for SNV. We do interact quite a bit with other UNMIS people who share the camp when they visit. No Dutch people with them, but I guess that could change soon.
Best regards and keep it up.
Imke (ivanderhoning@snvworld.org)
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