Op Bunting - Cyprus Movements
 

The Start

AKT, as most people know, is perceived to have a fairly sedate flying programme, consisting of a regular number of around 6 or 7 ac staging through the base each week. In addition to this, we ‘average’ about 20 other ac within the week. Given the unique geographical nature of AKT, this provides an ideal opportunity to handle the full compliment of the RAFs inventory of AT, in addition to any number of foreign ac, APCs, visiting dignitaries and numerous ex/op ac.

When Op HIGHBROW began in earnest, all leave was immediately postponed and we reverted to a two-shift (day-night posture). The first ‘frames’ to arrive were the Americans in their CH53 ‘Jolly Green Giants’. These were closely followed some hours later by their in-theatre C-130s from King Faisal airbase, carrying the US Marine Corps. This was my first dealing with the Americans on a large scale and it was a definite experience: getting them to get onto their transport from the ac and get away to the accommodation took over four hours, this was partly due to the massive amount of ‘fire-power’ that they had brought with them - shotguns, pistols, machine guns, mortars, etc...troops in fighting trim....and then some! The first question from an American was ‘Hey, man, can I get a cheeseburger nearby?’ ‘They call them a full kebab with halloumi ‘round these parts’, I replied.

After what seemed to be an eternity getting the Americans to their accommodation, I returned to Load Control to check on the next arrival - a C-17 containing elements of 27 Sqn and the support equipment for their CH47 Chinooks (the Chinooks were to arrive later in the evening). 27 Sqn got themselves sorted out quite quickly, as they had a liaison already at AKT who had been efficient in preparing for their arrival. I met the ac and busied myself sorting out the pax, leaving them with the ‘off-load’ in the capable hands of the ‘mega man of movements’, Sgt Raisbeck. Interspersed between these moves were the Lion Sun and JAGGED FLAME ac. After the arrival of the Americans and 27 Sqn, the ‘ops’ rumour mill began in earnest with various conflicting messages and false alarms being generated, as the initial scope of Op HIGHBROW began. The final ac was the VVIP ac containing Javier Solano, the Spanish UN negotiator. That concluded the first night shift! I had a feeling that things were about to become even busier......and I wasn’t disappointed!

The following shift witnessed the arrival of the French in four C160 Transall ac and helicopters, who, on being informed that the Americans had taken four hours to sort their lives out, performed admirably in getting themselves sorted out. Thankfully, my scratch French learnt from TVs ‘Only Fools and Horses’ and ‘Allo’ Allo’ proved invaluable in promoting Anglo-French relations and ensuring, in no small part, the success of the Operation. Phrases such as ‘Le Forklift’, ‘La Atlas’ ‘Je suis un DAMO (rockstar)’ or ‘Avez vous any ac paperwork?’ saw me through the day and left no room for confusion at all! The only thing remaining was to get hold of the UMO for recovery of 6 Sqn and 12 Sqn who were hoping to complete their ACP.....unlucky, as both ac operating space and accommodation on camp were becoming scarce very quickly!! It’s always a pleasure seeing a fast jet Sqn depart from stn, if only to make space at the bar.

The Middle

The process for the movement of the EP pax was simple. The various ships, including HMS York and HMS Bulwark, sailed to Beirut to collect UK passport holders and to return to Limassol port where they were offloaded by the Joint Service Port Unit (part of JMS). Here, the pax were checked by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials to determine those who were entitled to travel and those who were not. At this point, the EPs were processed into the Republic of Cyprus or offered a flight home via AKT. If the EPs wished to fly back to the UK, they were sent to the Entitled Persons Holding Centre for feeding, briefing, showering (and sleep in many cases). From here, all EPs were called forward to the Air Terminal via a UKMAMS/RLC MCCP and swiftly loaded to the array of chartered ac that we dispersed all over the pan. At each stage, the provision of accurate information was the key. Often, a rumour would start as the ship left Beirut regarding the number of pax wanting to fly to the UK; this would later shrink by a significant percentage only to drastically increase again at the port in Limassol! This was totally unavoidable due to the hostile environment which the EPs had recently endured. When they say ‘you had to be there to appreciate it’, I now know what they mean!

At AKT, unlike BZZ or LYE, the Air Ops set up does not routinely have Movs input directly on hand in Ops HQ. This poses its own challenges which again requires constant communication and complete trust in each other. Similarly, the Joint HQ at Episkopi has limited Air Movs input at the J4 level, which created its own issues regarding realistic timings to prepare all movs processes.

If nothing other than ‘testing times’, this also provided suitable ‘Lessons Identified’ for future ops of a similar nature. In the case of the Op HIGHBROW, JFACHQ and SLE with J4/JMS input again proved the point.... .’ logistics, it doesn’t just happen!’ The civilian ac chartered to convey the EPs provided us with a fantastic variation of commercial AT. Ranging from 737- 200s to 747s, the charter flow also included 757 and various Airbus, with pax compliments ranging from 35 to 540 pax. The scrutiny and security required was obviously a key factor to be considered throughout this Op, and our American dispatchers were ‘well versed’ on such protocol, insisting on a full pax manifest being sent to their Ops in the US before they would depart the airfield.

The Sqn also managed to get involved in Heli Movs, through the setting up of a Heli Mov pax departure centre. This was a particularly active cell during the early days of the Op, where we were heavily involved in the initial evacuation of the infirm, elderly and aeromedical EPs. As the Op entered a sustained phase, the cell was the focal point in the movement of VIPs and diplomats to and from theatre. The success of this Heli Mov venture was very much due to the energy and enthusiasm of SAC Carl Hendy.

The End

I have almost completed two years as a DAMO in Cyprus, and have done the odd ‘hub and spoke’ move and any number of Trooper QTRs and Trooper ‘turnbacks’. All of which have proved to be very challenging periods of my tour. However, the activity during Op HIGHBROW can only be described as ‘absolute bedlam’! I was also amazed at how many people contributed to ensure that the EPs were handled quickly, efficiently and compassionately. I was also amazed out how many people came ‘out of the woodwork’ to get ‘in on the action’......I didn’t realize that we had that many people within BFC? Probably something to do with the ‘mass media frenzy’ which descended upon us on day one! Thankfully, I restricted my appearances to Sky News.

On the other hand, DAMO B (Flt Lt Beccy Screech) managed to get on BFBS, Sky News and the Denver Post (front page!). Suffice to say that she was suitably slabbed! With movs spt from UKMAMS, 29 Regt RLC (South Cerney) and RAF Northolt, the Sqn did a superb job, at a frantic pace, and with very little notice. On a more personal note, overall I have enjoyed the experience of the emergency evacuation and realize that participation in this event was truly memorable…I trust it won’t happen again during my time as a DAMO at Basra this Christmas or anytime in the next 10 years or so?

Flt Lt Matt Buttling