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Operation Maturin

Answer

The United Kingdom commitment to Operation Maturin has been both bilateral with Pakistan and through NATO. Bilaterally, the RAF have deployed three CH-47 Chinooks, which have flown and combined total of more than 200 flying hours and delivered nearly 900 tonnes of aid to date, comprising food, tents and blankets, but also tools, plastic sheeting, corrugated iron and baby care equipment. The breakdown of tonnage by individual items is not available. Up to 16 November, they had also evacuated some 325 personnel, 32 of whom were casualties. The number of personnel involved in this deployment is 81 (77 deployed as part of the Support Helicopter Force and four medics).A six-person Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team (ORLT) deployed to Islamabad on 19 October to provide support to the UK operation. A two-man Mobile Air Operations Team deployed to Chaklala airbase, on the weekend of 29 and 30 October, where they carried out a successful reconnaissance of a Forward Operating Base to the north of Islamabad. Four logistic planners deployed to Islamabad on 26 October to assist the UN Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC), where they are assisting in the development of a UN relief plan, including making more effective use of available aircraft. The MOD has also provided 23,000 vegetarian and halal ration packs, while a four person Joint Media Operations Team is providing coverage of the UK response and assisting NATO where possible.Four C-17 flights have provided strategic lift, including: the transportation of two civilian Puma helicopters to Pakistan on behalf of DfID and the International Committee of the Red Cross; the transportation of one CH-47 Chinook helicopter and its crew and equipment (two flights); and, on behalf of NATO, the transportation of a medical team of three accompanied by equipment and a Land Rover. Each flight required a crew often. A total of 57 passengers were transported. Details of the total tonnage carried on these flights is not available.The United Kingdom has contributed to the NATO relief effort in a number of ways. Four RAF C130 Hercules with six crews, and supporting Specialist Deployed Operating Base elements from RAF Lyneham, have been made available to NATO. Three have been deployed to Incirlik, Turkey to deliver aid via the NATO airbridge. One remains in the UK at 48 hours notice to deploy. As of 14 November, they had carried out 30 flights, delivering 288 tonnes of aid (37 per cent. of the total moved by NATO), comprising tents, mattresses, stoves, blankets and medical items. The breakdown of tonnage by individual items is not available. The number of personnel involved in this deployment is currently 91 (84 in Incirlik, and seven in Baku, Azerbaijan).A RAF Mobile Medical Team of four people (one GP, two Medical Technicians and one Environmental Health Technician) deployed to the region on 16 November. One RAF officer is in Islamabad as part of NATO's own Operational Liaison Reconnaissance Team (OLRT). A seven person UK Liaison party from the UK Joint Force Air Component HQ has joined the French-led Joint Force Air Component HQ and are deployed in France and Pakistan.In addition to our standing NATO commitments, a sub-unit 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers, supported by personnel from 42 Commando Royal Marines, has been offered to NATO. If the offer of this capability is taken up it will comprise 86 personnel deploying to Pakistan.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

29609; 439 c1881-3W;439 c1883-5W

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Air force Disaster relief International cooperation Helicopters Staff Pakistan South Asia Earthquakes Kashmir Food aid Military aid

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk