18 Jul. 2008
Toplicane. With a "fly-in party" last Friday, the "family" of the Multinational Army Aviation Battalion MERCURY in Toplicane celebrated the arrival of the Austrian element. Around 30 soldiers and their four helicopters relieved their Turkish predecessors at the beginning of this month.
The presence of the Austrian helicopter squadron, comprising two Black Hawks and two Alouette 3S, as well as their pilots, maintenance mechanics, fire fighters and weather service personnel is a direct result of Austrian Brigadier General Prader's command over the Multinational Task Force South (MNTF S).
Transporting the Commander, escorts and guests were just as important for the helicopter squadron as it was to conduct reconnaissance sorties. The main task, however, as underlined by Captain (OF-2) Christian S., deputy commander of the Austrian helicopter detachment (HELIDET), is the timely deployment of CRC forces.
The Black Hawk helicopter, which has been in the Austrian Army since 2002, provides ample capacities. It can carry an internal load of three tons, and over four tons can be hauled additionally as external load. It seats up to twelve passengers or ten CRC soldiers.
Need for action currently exists in Toplicane with regard to the infrastructure of the Austrian element. Although billeting and office containers were taken over from the Turkish predecessors, their number was much smaller than the Austrian component. As a result, living conditions are cramped. As an interim solution, the Austrians were able to obtain billets among their German colleagues.
"We are very happy and thankful for having been taken up in this manner," says Captain (OF-2) S. By August, this situation is expected to be remedied. Likewise, for lack of an own repair hangar, maintenance on the Black Hawks, too, is currently being carried out in the German HALTEC tent.
