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".