aviation

Fireighting missions, when around 5,000

lit (1,099 imp gal) of water can be dropped

from an underslung bucket, are undertaken

within Germany and there were annual

deployments to Greece between 1990 and

2007. Additionally, the unit lew to Israel in
      2010 to assist with its worst wildire season
      to date.
      The longest overseas deployment has
      been to Afghanistan and continues there
      today. Five CH-53s were sent to Mazar-e-
      Sharif airport, adjacent to Camp Marmal,
      in Northern Afghanistan in 2002 to assist
      ISAF. Tasks included transporting personnel,
      equipment, supplies and air medical
      evacuation (medevac).
      Tragedy struck on December 21 of that
      year when one of the helicopters crashed
      due to mechanical failure near Kabul, killing
      all seven crew. Currently, around 100 HSG
      64 personnel and ive CH-53GSs remain in
      the war-ravaged country. They form part of
      the approximately 1,000 German contingent,
      assigned to Train, Advise & Assist North
      Command (TAAC-N) – a major part of
      NATO’s Resolute Support mission to assist
      the Afghan National Army. On February 2
      last year the CH-53s passed 19,000 light
      hours on Afghan operations.
      Mountain lying training skills, honed in
      Switzerland and the German Alps between
      Berchtesgaden and Lake Constance, proves
      useful in Afghanistan’s high terrain.
      This is regularly undertaken, according
      to HSG 64 lying instructor, Captain J
      (name withheld for security reasons)
      who pointed out: “Mountain lights are
      an important part of the annual light
      programme. Distances, speeds, altitudes,
      climbing and descent are perceived
      differently in this environment. For example,
      say at 8,000ft, the air is much thinner and
      so more power is required for lying and to
      lift loads. Winds are much more variable
      in their direction, plus there are more
      downdrafts, updrafts and crosswinds than
      at sea level. Indicated wind speeds and real
      ground speeds can also vary tremendously.
      Depth perception close to cliffs and
      mountain sides can be deceptive too –
      especially when lying in sleet and snow.”
      In 2013 the Luftwaffe took on the
      kampfretter (combat rescue) role with an
      initial cadre of 25 troops training to become
      specialists. Most were drawn from the army
      including combat medics, airborne infantry
      and a wide variety of instructors. Their
      main task is to recover downed aircrew and
      rescue other military or civilian personnel.
      A three-person outit comprises a
      team leader, rescue specialist (second in
      command) and a medical specialist and they
      are trained to use the helicopter’s hoist or
      fast-roping techniques.
      Exchange visits, exercises and training
      with US, French and Israeli special forces
      units take place regularly. In June 2015,
      three CH-53s were airlifted to the southwest
      of the United States by an Antonov An-124
      to participate for the irst time in Angel

56 Aviation News incorporating Jets November 2018

Two Wiesel light tanks can be carried by a CH-53 – one of which is shown being driven off

the helicopter. Note the ‘HEER’ titling to signify this photo was taken when the CH-53s were

operated by the army. Bundeswehr/Michael Mandt

Three HSG 64 CH-53GAs perform a lypast at the end of Exercise Fireblade 2017 at Pápa Air

Base in Hungary. Austrian Bundesheer Fotos

A German soldier attaches an underslung load to a CH-53 in Afghanistan as it hovers overhead.

Bundeswehr/Frank Krautscheid