The Best Was Saved For The Last – Pacific Air Rally 2011 Concludes
7:27pm on Sunday 28th August 2011
26th August 2011, Ratmalana Air Base, Sri Lanka. The week long exercise had by now gathered momentum and excitement as it never was. The crews were bustling, cargo loads prepared and briefings were well under way. The Pacific Air Rally had entered its final day of operations.
One could easily see that the scepticism which had laced the greetings at the first days have gradually eroded away with strong and warm friendly bonds being forged. Everybody was eager to teach, to learn and to share. It appeared as if everybody wanted to make the most from the little time available.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force and the United States Air Force were into the centre stage early on with their cargo loads. Flying criss cross through the mountainous valley of Sabaragamuwa and the Southern part of the Central Hills, the able C 130 crew were now masters of this diverse and picturesque countryside. With approximately 45 to 50 minutes of flight time, the crew would come over the “disaster zone” to drop away their “relief cargo” – a task that they had been practicing and perfecting for the past week. The US C 130 would make an additional call at the Minneriya Air Base to bring the dropped cargo and paratroopers back home.
As the sun moved into the apex of the sky the Sri Lankan C 130 as well as the Royal Australian Air Force C 130 J “Super Hercules” took to the skies for the last time in the exercise. The C 130 J, with the call sign “Aussie 549” climbed gently and settled on an east bound track initially making the altimeter reading 1000 feet. When comfortably away from the base, the Hercules descended to 500 – 700 feet and the action unfolded. Hugging the terrain and following the contours “Aussie 549” took to the Sri Lankan countryside like a well tamed giant. It would remain a serious question as to whether it those inside the aircraft or outside it on ground who got the most spectacular display? Reaching its drop zone, the cargo bay doors of the C 130 J opened bringing to mind what a whale would do when swallowing a meal. The daring dropper team under the protection of a harness lingered dangerously close to the edge. Upon the signal from the captain the crew dispensed their cargo of four heliboxes which landed within 50 metres from the target.
When “Aussie 549” touched down at Ratmalana at approximately 1300 hrs, it effectively brought the flying operations of the Pacific Air Rally 2011 to a graceful conclusion. The final address took place at the No 2 Squadron hangar at Ratmalana which was presided over by the Base Commander Air Commodore Sumangala Dias. Having accorded thanks all around by all parties, mementoes were exchanged between all contingent leaders. As the participants of the FTX gathered themselves in front of the SLAF C 130 for a final group photograph, the hearts were indeed a bit heavier as the farewells were exchanged. Squadron arm patches and insignia were exchanged as treasured memories that would linger on for the rest of their lives. The Pacific Air Rally 2011 had truly reached its objectives in developing a close interaction between different Air Forces of the world and the closeness was well cemented in the farewell which followed at the Mt Lavinia Hotel and on the beach.
Flight Lieutenant Shyam Ranasingh,SLAF for SLAF Media
One could easily see that the scepticism which had laced the greetings at the first days have gradually eroded away with strong and warm friendly bonds being forged. Everybody was eager to teach, to learn and to share. It appeared as if everybody wanted to make the most from the little time available.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force and the United States Air Force were into the centre stage early on with their cargo loads. Flying criss cross through the mountainous valley of Sabaragamuwa and the Southern part of the Central Hills, the able C 130 crew were now masters of this diverse and picturesque countryside. With approximately 45 to 50 minutes of flight time, the crew would come over the “disaster zone” to drop away their “relief cargo” – a task that they had been practicing and perfecting for the past week. The US C 130 would make an additional call at the Minneriya Air Base to bring the dropped cargo and paratroopers back home.
As the sun moved into the apex of the sky the Sri Lankan C 130 as well as the Royal Australian Air Force C 130 J “Super Hercules” took to the skies for the last time in the exercise. The C 130 J, with the call sign “Aussie 549” climbed gently and settled on an east bound track initially making the altimeter reading 1000 feet. When comfortably away from the base, the Hercules descended to 500 – 700 feet and the action unfolded. Hugging the terrain and following the contours “Aussie 549” took to the Sri Lankan countryside like a well tamed giant. It would remain a serious question as to whether it those inside the aircraft or outside it on ground who got the most spectacular display? Reaching its drop zone, the cargo bay doors of the C 130 J opened bringing to mind what a whale would do when swallowing a meal. The daring dropper team under the protection of a harness lingered dangerously close to the edge. Upon the signal from the captain the crew dispensed their cargo of four heliboxes which landed within 50 metres from the target.
When “Aussie 549” touched down at Ratmalana at approximately 1300 hrs, it effectively brought the flying operations of the Pacific Air Rally 2011 to a graceful conclusion. The final address took place at the No 2 Squadron hangar at Ratmalana which was presided over by the Base Commander Air Commodore Sumangala Dias. Having accorded thanks all around by all parties, mementoes were exchanged between all contingent leaders. As the participants of the FTX gathered themselves in front of the SLAF C 130 for a final group photograph, the hearts were indeed a bit heavier as the farewells were exchanged. Squadron arm patches and insignia were exchanged as treasured memories that would linger on for the rest of their lives. The Pacific Air Rally 2011 had truly reached its objectives in developing a close interaction between different Air Forces of the world and the closeness was well cemented in the farewell which followed at the Mt Lavinia Hotel and on the beach.
Flight Lieutenant Shyam Ranasingh,SLAF for SLAF Media
