Air Force services unit to serve in UN's Congo mission
Dated 15/9/2006
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Air Vice Marshal DC Kumaria VM, VSM Asst Chief of Air Staff Operations (Space) has flagged off the IAF Air Field Services Unit (ASU) contingent to Kindu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), today at Air Force Station New Delhi.
The Indian Air Force has a long and rich history of contribution to United Nations Peace-Keeping operations. The process began when IAF sent a flight of Canberra bomber aircraft as part of the United Nations Operations in Congo (ONUC) in 1962. This was followed by contribution of a helicopter element in Somalia in 1993 and at Sierra Leone in the year 2000.
UN once again approached India to contribute an air element for its peace keeping operations in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) in 2004. The IAF presently operates two aviation contingents at Goma and Bukavu. Additionally the IAF has been tasked to operate an Indian Airfield Services Unit (IASU) at Kindu.
In the backdrop of internal ethnic strife in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Eastern region of that country is volatile. The terrain and existing infrastructure in the region make logistics operations by air an imperative. The main airport in eastern Congo is at Kindu, which serves as a major support base for UN operations.
The IAF unit comprising 120 personnel is manning Kindu base to support all UN air movements. The operations include airport management, ramp operations, crash and fire fighting services, cargo and passenger handling, medical support, meteorological services and communications.
Contribution of IAF personnel has been repeatedly lauded by the UN authorities for dedication and professionalism. IAF missions have contributed whole-heartedly during crucial times, which have facilitated the UN in executing its mandate.
The trust that the UN places on India in general and the IAF in particular is symbolized by the UN requesting India to extend operation of ASU in Congo for another year.
The IAF ASU is classified as a specialist unit by the UN. This places extremely high demands on the unit. The unit personnel were given focused job orientated training coupled with training on general peace keeping operations and security.
IAF contingent of 120 personnel includes a 27-member security complement of commandos from the IAF
