Representing a Common Heritage
Representing a Common Heritage
After 13 years, TSW has recently handed over the helicopter refuelling activity in Bosnia to 661 Sqn, 1 Regt Army Air Corps.
TSW was the longest continuous serving unit in Bosnia, having been in theatre since April 1993, and was involved in all phases of the mission over the years, ranging from UNPROFOR to IFOR (1995), and SFOR (1997) then latterly EUFOR. The initial deployment in 1993 involved 9 personnel as part of Operation GRAPPLE – the UN mission to provide humanitarian support to the refugees in Bosnia. Their task was to provide rotors turning refuelling for the RN 845 Sqn Sea King and the French Army Puma helicopters that were deployed as part of the Operation. Force protection for the TSW fuel resupply convoys was provided by the Danish Army, and site accommodation was run by the Croatian Army.
Rotors-turning refuel of a Blackhawk at Split
Initial TSW locations included Split in Croatia and a forward refuelling base in Bosnia at the UN HQ in Kiseljak, which was run by the Danish Army. TSW was the only formed unit in the early days of the Operation when it was a truly multinational effort. TSW was tasked to refuel all UN, NATO and EU helicopters.
As the Operation transitioned and expanded from a UN mission to IFOR, SFOR and EUFOR, so did the TSW task. At the height of operations, the TSW detachment expanded to 25 personnel spread across 6 sites. Living conditions were basic in the early days, working out of tents, then moving to pre-fabricated buildings when the sites became better equipped. Throughout the Operation, the biggest challenge was the weather. The heavy snowfall and ice in winter hampered the supply of aviation fuel to the 4 sites in Bosnia; the long resupply journeys, with a 30-ton truck full of aviation fuel, having to navigate through heavily iced mountain passes, which at times were little more than dirt tracks.
Long resupply journeys, with a 30-ton truck full of aviation fuel, having to navigate through heavily iced mountain passes…
Throughout the mission, TSW supported all helicopter operations and was often tasked to provide fuel for forward operations and, latterly, during exercises. At times the Operation was demanding and dangerous due to the high threat levels and the arduous nature of the task. This latter aspect was typified by the award of the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery to SAC Chris Hopkin in September 1997 when he prevented an aircraft fire when a refuelling hose failed during a Rotors Turning Refuel.
Rotors-turning refuel of Canadian Huey at Banja Luka
Rotors-turning refuel of Swiss Super Puma/Cougar
The Army Air Corps have taken over helicopter refuelling activity in Bosnia as the increasing stability in the country has resulted in a reduction in the number and variety of aircraft requesting rotors-turning refuel support in theatre. There was also a need to free up TSW manpower for Op TELIC in Iraq and Op HERRICK in Afghanistan.
The final TSW Detachment at Banja Luka
Top L-R: Cpl Jimmy Rimmer, WO Bob McBey, Cpl Bob Barnes
Bottom L-R: SAC Lewis Watts, SAC Paul McCarthy, SAC Ryan LaBorde
WO Bob McBey TSW hands over to Capt Bob Backhouse and Sgt Alex Faulds
After 2 weeks of training with the fuels equipment in situ, the final TSW detachment at Banja Luka handed over their responsibilities to Capt Backhouse of 661 Sqn, 1 Regt AAC on 1st November 2006.
A similar article first appeared in the newspaper ‘RAF NEWS’ dated 2 February 2007.
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