A fast-paced mission to parachute medical support to a remote South Atlantic island has shown the unique speed and reach offered by the Army’s airborne forces.
Paratroopers in the back of a RAF A400M waiting to deploy along with medical supplies.
Paratroopers in the back of a RAF A400M waiting to deploy along with medical supplies.
Paratroopers in the back of a RAF A400M waiting to deploy along with medical supplies.
Paratroopers in the back of a RAF A400M waiting to deploy along with medical supplies.
A team from 16 Air Assault Brigade (16 Air Asslt Bde) parachuted in to deliver medical supplies and clinicians to Tristan da Cunha, where a British national was suspected of contracting Hantavirus.
After being alerted on Thursday, 16 Air Asslt Bde formed a plan with the RAF, gathered specialist troops and kit, and flew them 7,000 miles to parachute on to Tristan da Cunha on Saturday.
“The arrival of paratroopers, medical personnel and medical supplies from the sky has hopefully reassured the people of Tristan da Cunha.”
The operation demonstrates 16 Air Asslt Bde’s readiness to spring into action in its role as Defence’s global response force, and the unique speed and reach that only airborne forces can provide.
Isolated community under pressure
RAF Atlas A400M took off from Ascension Island, supported by a Voyager to transit down to Tristan da Cunha where it did airdrops of troops and supplies to help personnel on the island.
Tristan da Cunha is a group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean and Britain’s most remote inhabited overseas territory. With a population of just over 200 people, it has no airstrip and is only accessible by a week-long boat crossing from South Africa.
With a seriously ill patient, oxygen supplies at a low level and the island’s two-person medical team stretched, an airdrop was the only method of delivering help in time.
A team of eight troops – six from Pathfinders, the brigade’s advance force, and a consultant anaesthetist and an intensive care nurse from 16 Medical Regiment - took off in an RAF A400M transport aircraft from RAF Brize Norton.
Refuelled by an RAF Voyager tanker, they flew more than 4,000 miles for a short stopover at RAF Ascension Island for final preparations. On Saturday lunchtime, they took off for the final 1,800-mile leg to Tristan da Cunha.
Need for specialist parachute skills
Along side the paratroopers, the A400M also dropped medical supplies to Tristan da Cunha.
Members of 16 Air Assault Brigade jumped two in tandem with a Nurse and Doctor to provide medical support to people residing on Tristan da Cunha.
Along side the paratroopers, the A400M also dropped medical supplies to Tristan da Cunha.
Members of 16 Air Assault Brigade jumped two in tandem with a Nurse and Doctor to provide medical support to people residing on Tristan da Cunha.
The island’s rugged terrain and gusting Atlantic winds demanded the specialist parachuting skills of Pathfinders. Trained in freefall parachuting to land discreetly behind enemy lines, the six soldiers jumped from 7,000 feet to land on the island’s rock-strewn golf course.
The medics jumped tandem with Pathfinders and, as soon as they landed, headed to the island’s small hospital.
The Pathfinders then marked a drop zone on a vegetable patch for 2,500 kilogrammes of oxygen and medical supplies to be dropped on. The stores had been packed and despatched by 47 Air Despatch Squadron Royal Logistic Corps.
Brigadier Ed Cartwright, Officer Commanding 16 Air Assault Brigade, said: “This was a joint effort with the Royal Air Force and highlights the speed, reach and utility of parachuting.
“The arrival of paratroopers, medical personnel and medical supplies from the sky has hopefully reassured the people of Tristan da Cunha.”