By
SQNLDR Tim Shaw
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Flight
Lieutenant Tania Smith, of the Australian National Command
Element, shows children from St Clara’s orphanage around
the control tower at the Dili Heliport. Photo by SQNLDR
Tim Shaw
|
CHILDREN
from St Clara’s orphanage and the Ryder-Cheshire foundation
have enjoyed a visit to the heliport in Dili, East Timor, where
the Air Force’s aeromedical evacuation team is based.
Eighteen children, some convalescing from broken bones, enjoyed
an afternoon at the UN-controlled Dili Heliport organised by members
of the Australian contingent serving with UNMISET in East Timor.
Although hindered by their illnesses, the youngsters climbed the
steep spiral staircase leading to the Heliport’s Air Traffic
Control tower to get a bird’s-eye view of the heliport and
its surrounds.
Aircrew from the UN-contracted helicopters showed the children
through their machines. The children were given the opportunity
to sit in the cockpit of a 22-seat Russian UT Air Mi8 medium lift
helicopter or chat with their friends via the headset intercom
system of a CHC Bell 212 primarily used for aeromedical evacuation.
The UN Aeromedical Staging Facility, consisting of five RAAF medical
personnel, treated the children with a ride around the Heliport
in their ambulance.
Flight Lieutenant Paul McGinty, of RAAF Base Amberley’s Medical
Flight, said, “Once we showed the kids how to operate the
siren and lights they sure got a good work out.”
As a grand finale to a magnificent afternoon, the heliport’s
contracted emergency rescue services were activated to practise
capabilities and entertain the children. Fire trucks roared into
life and while firemen sprayed water the airfield ambulance also
put on a demonstration displaying its medical provisions.
Judy Chesney, a volunteer with the Ryder-Cheshire home, thanked
the ADF personnel involved.
“These kids will soon be returning to their villages throughout
East Timor and will take with them many happy stories. I’m
just concerned that some of their friends may try and break legs
just to get to Dili and these sort of visits.”
