Flying on humanitarian mission

Flying on humanitarian mission

Dedy Ardiansyah, Contributor/Medan

The devastating earthquake and tsunami on the western coast of
Sumatra aroused world sympathy.

The Dec. 26 tragedy triggered international solidarity. All
nations joined hands to provide aid in the spirit of humanity --
the greatest humanitarian mission ever in world history.

One of the hundreds of pilots sent to Aceh and Nias as part of
this mission was Malaysia's Maj. Mohammad Iqbal. Malaysia sent a
CN-235 and a Super Puma helicopter to help distribute food to
tsunami-affected areas in Aceh and Nias.

Arriving at Polonia Airport in Medan on Dec. 29, Iqbal and his
five colleagues were first assigned to evacuate 25 Malaysians
studying at Unsyiah University, Banda Aceh, who survived the
tsunami.

This was not Iqbal's first involvement in a humanitarian
mission. He gained vast experience in carrying out similar
missions to various countries, including Thailand, Myanmar and
Cambodia, and also in several parts of Indonesia such as
Balikpapan, Solo, Yogyakarta and Bali.

However, the operation in which he has been involved in Aceh
and Nias is very different.

"It's incredible. This is the greatest humanitarian mission
I've ever participated in. I'm pleased to be part of it," said
Iqbal, Malaysia's flight leader in the current Aceh and Nias
relief assignment.

He could not have imagined the immense devastation caused by
the tsunami in Aceh. Watching TV reports, he still thought that
the greatest tsunami damage had taken place on Pinang Island,
Malaysia.

But when he flew to Iskandar Muda Airport, Banda Aceh, he saw
how human settlements along the western coast had been destroyed
to the ground.

"As I flew over a river in Banda Aceh, I was greatly saddened
by the sight of hundreds of corpses and heaps of garbage covering
the stream," recalled Iqbal. That image motivated him to do a
great deal more to help tsunami survivors.

"My country was also hit by the disaster but the total number
of our victims has been greatly exceeded by Indonesia's. It's
only natural that the world is focusing on Aceh," said Iqbal,
whose assignment in Indonesia lasts until July.

He said his first destination for food delivery was Nias
island, where survivors were in desperate need on the third day
after the tsunami but supplies could only be carried in at that
time by helicopter.

Iqbal was proud that the CN-235 airplane he used to transport
food to Nias' Binaca Airport would pioneer the landing of
aircraft of that type there.

Amid doubts about his CN-235, Iqbal managed to land smoothly.
"The airport is not recommended for landing CN-235 planes but I
made it. That makes me proud. I managed to deliver food and
medicine needed by the Nias people."

Iqbal recounted another experience near Medan's airport. He
was frightened by the number of other aircraft hovering and
queuing up to land at the airport.

"I feared a collision. There were many planes below, waiting
their turn to land. I'd never seen that in my flying career."

Iqbal joined the Malaysian Air Force in 1992 and two years
later was licensed to fly Pilatus aircraft, followed by Karebo
planes, before CN-235s. So far, the major has recorded 1,700
flight hours in a CN-235.

To the 36-year-old, born in Keddah, Malaysia, Indonesia is a
second home. He spent three months in Bandung in early 2004 for
special CN-235 flight training.

The father of three is versatile, with a good sense of humor.
While assessing runway feasibility at Cut Nyak Dien Airport, West
Aceh, two weeks ago, Iqbal joked with Western Territory Air
Commander First Marshal Irwan Supomo and Polonia Air Commandant
Sudipo Handoyo.

Of the types of aircraft he has flown, like the Pilatus and
Karebo, says Iqbal, Indonesia's CN-235 is the one that makes him
proudest. Many countries are interested in buying this type,
originally developed by former Indonesian president BJ Habibie.

Malaysia owns six CN-235s and ordered a CN-235 VVIP type.
Meanwhile, Brunei sent one and Spain three CN-235s for the relief
effort.

Iqbal has also learned a lot about the history of the CN-235
(Cassa Nurtanio) aircraft. "Nurtanio" is used in memory of the
first Indonesian who succeeded in assembling a plane, known as
the Sikumbang.

CN-235s are capable of many types of operations, supported by
sophisticated instrumentation and a payload of 35 passengers and
three tons of goods. Good maintenance ensures a lifetime of 20
years.

Indonesia, too, should also be proud of the fact that among
the dozens of modern aircraft from other countries flying within
Indonesian air space in this post-tsunami period, CN-235s are
playing a fairly large role in distributing supplies to remote
areas.

In other words, during this humanitarian mission, CN-235s "are
coming back home".