We Owe It All to the Gods of Ancient Greece
4:12pm on Wednesday 24th August 2011
23 August 2011, Mount Lavinia Hotel and Ratmalana Air Base, Sri Lanka. Day two on and the Pacific Air Rally had gathered considerable momentum already. The energy, the zeal and the excitement was evident in every nook and corner, as the schedule prepared to unfold increased challenges.
The Control Room Exercise (CPX) kicked off with the Coalition commander simulating the mission briefing. Through an explanative presentation the delegates from the countries were brought into a scenario where Sri Lanka had been devastated by a hurricane. The extent of the damage was explained in great detail. The deputy coalition commander went on to elaborate further with descriptions on command and control. The NGO’s chipped in under the “auspices” of the World Health Organisation. With the stage set the coalition commander then made the scenario livelier with a simulated withdrawal to Air Force headquarters and a subsequent return with fresh updates and instructions once the other briefings were done. The entire control room was tasked with identifying the centres of gravity in various aspects and on the word go, one literally saw the boundaries forged by nationality, and difference in uniform literally shatter and ideas flowed freely. The teams, pooled into six groups worked their way quickly delivering results. Having forged ahead, the groups displayed a concurrent effort to come up with a joint mission statement for the coalition commander.
Whilst a mind blowing scenario was unfolding at the Maitland State Room at Mount Lavinia, a world beating performance was taking place at the Ratmalana Air Base, a further 3 km south of the hotel. The momentum that had gathered continued to build up and clear blue skies welcomed an increased tempo of action. The United States Air Force was in the forefront today with the hum of the Allison turboprops heard at a good distance., Their “cargo” loaded, the three aircraft taxied up to the far end of the runway, and in smooth procession rose to the skies quickly settling down on a east bound track.
Approximately 30 minutes behind the US fleet, the Sri Lankan C 130 came to life. Under the able control of its Commanding Officer Wing Commander Sarike Aranayake and Squadron Leader Amitha Jayamaha, the C 130, off the inventory of No 2 Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force was heading for the first free fall parachute drop of the exercise. With all checks completed, the brakes released launching Sri Lanka’s own heavy lift capability into a welcoming sky. The flight path was routed through a picturesque hill country overflying valleys, ridges and even massive irrigation tanks. Having stuck to its flight path accurately, the aircraft reached the “disaster zone” approximately 1 hour later. At a height of 5000ft and cruising at 150 nautical miles per hour the rear ramp doors of the C 130 opened up. The gush of wind that engulfed the aft cabin was indeed exciting but with safety measures properly in force one could witness it all first hand staying out of harm’s way. With the drop zone nearing, the able and professional sky divers of the Sri Lanka Air Force huddled together for one last wish of good luck for each other. With the signal “GO” they embraced the sky effortlessly in the same way one would take to a swimming pool and were well away to reach their target. After all, when the sky remains a challenge for many, the skydivers transforms it into their playground. The return journey from Ampara took the aircraft through the North Central valley of Sri Lanka crossing lush green fields of paddy. The country certainly looked more and more beautiful with every mile forged ahead. Passing along the Mahaweli river, the ancient rock citadel of Sigiriya, the bustling metropolis of Kurunegala and the suburbs of Colombo the C 130 made a safe and graceful landing at Ratmalana at approximately 1 PM.
The much anticipated flight of the Royal Malaysian Air Force C 130 finally joined the fray after the aircraft was brought back to a fully mission capable status. Indeed with the arrival of the Malaysians, the airdrop force was into full strength and the rejuvenation was felt in all camps. Following them was the C 130 J of the Royal Australian Air Force. Equipped with the latest generation of avionics, the C 130 J completed the daytime airdrop exercises.
Mutual co-operation would have never been better as it was seen today in the evening hours at Ratmalana. The US jump masters warmly welcomed the Sri Lankan airborne forces on board the USAF C 130 for a briefing on tomorrows static line parachute drop. Through a lengthy and elaborative briefing the US Jump Masters covered every point to the detail leaving absolutely no room for doubts. After all, parachute dropping was an area where doubts do not fit in. The briefings followed by demonstrations were supplemented by a practical try out. With all doubts cleared and settled, the stage was finally set for another day of excitement.
As the thermometer readings began to dip, the RAAF came in for a lovely overpass and “called finals” for a smooth and safe touchdown. The clearer weather had certainly encouraged the crew whose faces told a happy tale. Indeed this happiness continues to linger in all corners of the exercise and it is certainly bound to develop in the days to come.
With the “Hercules” into the centre stage, it could be justified in saying that, we may never know what really happened in the family of Zeus in the days of the yore, but we certainly owe it all to the ancient gods of Greece for sending “Hercules” down to earth.
Flight Lieutenant Shyam Ranasinghe SLAF for SLAF media
The Control Room Exercise (CPX) kicked off with the Coalition commander simulating the mission briefing. Through an explanative presentation the delegates from the countries were brought into a scenario where Sri Lanka had been devastated by a hurricane. The extent of the damage was explained in great detail. The deputy coalition commander went on to elaborate further with descriptions on command and control. The NGO’s chipped in under the “auspices” of the World Health Organisation. With the stage set the coalition commander then made the scenario livelier with a simulated withdrawal to Air Force headquarters and a subsequent return with fresh updates and instructions once the other briefings were done. The entire control room was tasked with identifying the centres of gravity in various aspects and on the word go, one literally saw the boundaries forged by nationality, and difference in uniform literally shatter and ideas flowed freely. The teams, pooled into six groups worked their way quickly delivering results. Having forged ahead, the groups displayed a concurrent effort to come up with a joint mission statement for the coalition commander.
Whilst a mind blowing scenario was unfolding at the Maitland State Room at Mount Lavinia, a world beating performance was taking place at the Ratmalana Air Base, a further 3 km south of the hotel. The momentum that had gathered continued to build up and clear blue skies welcomed an increased tempo of action. The United States Air Force was in the forefront today with the hum of the Allison turboprops heard at a good distance., Their “cargo” loaded, the three aircraft taxied up to the far end of the runway, and in smooth procession rose to the skies quickly settling down on a east bound track.
Approximately 30 minutes behind the US fleet, the Sri Lankan C 130 came to life. Under the able control of its Commanding Officer Wing Commander Sarike Aranayake and Squadron Leader Amitha Jayamaha, the C 130, off the inventory of No 2 Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force was heading for the first free fall parachute drop of the exercise. With all checks completed, the brakes released launching Sri Lanka’s own heavy lift capability into a welcoming sky. The flight path was routed through a picturesque hill country overflying valleys, ridges and even massive irrigation tanks. Having stuck to its flight path accurately, the aircraft reached the “disaster zone” approximately 1 hour later. At a height of 5000ft and cruising at 150 nautical miles per hour the rear ramp doors of the C 130 opened up. The gush of wind that engulfed the aft cabin was indeed exciting but with safety measures properly in force one could witness it all first hand staying out of harm’s way. With the drop zone nearing, the able and professional sky divers of the Sri Lanka Air Force huddled together for one last wish of good luck for each other. With the signal “GO” they embraced the sky effortlessly in the same way one would take to a swimming pool and were well away to reach their target. After all, when the sky remains a challenge for many, the skydivers transforms it into their playground. The return journey from Ampara took the aircraft through the North Central valley of Sri Lanka crossing lush green fields of paddy. The country certainly looked more and more beautiful with every mile forged ahead. Passing along the Mahaweli river, the ancient rock citadel of Sigiriya, the bustling metropolis of Kurunegala and the suburbs of Colombo the C 130 made a safe and graceful landing at Ratmalana at approximately 1 PM.
The much anticipated flight of the Royal Malaysian Air Force C 130 finally joined the fray after the aircraft was brought back to a fully mission capable status. Indeed with the arrival of the Malaysians, the airdrop force was into full strength and the rejuvenation was felt in all camps. Following them was the C 130 J of the Royal Australian Air Force. Equipped with the latest generation of avionics, the C 130 J completed the daytime airdrop exercises.
Mutual co-operation would have never been better as it was seen today in the evening hours at Ratmalana. The US jump masters warmly welcomed the Sri Lankan airborne forces on board the USAF C 130 for a briefing on tomorrows static line parachute drop. Through a lengthy and elaborative briefing the US Jump Masters covered every point to the detail leaving absolutely no room for doubts. After all, parachute dropping was an area where doubts do not fit in. The briefings followed by demonstrations were supplemented by a practical try out. With all doubts cleared and settled, the stage was finally set for another day of excitement.
As the thermometer readings began to dip, the RAAF came in for a lovely overpass and “called finals” for a smooth and safe touchdown. The clearer weather had certainly encouraged the crew whose faces told a happy tale. Indeed this happiness continues to linger in all corners of the exercise and it is certainly bound to develop in the days to come.
With the “Hercules” into the centre stage, it could be justified in saying that, we may never know what really happened in the family of Zeus in the days of the yore, but we certainly owe it all to the ancient gods of Greece for sending “Hercules” down to earth.
Flight Lieutenant Shyam Ranasinghe SLAF for SLAF media
