Operation Jayavarman VII Cambodia January 9th– 16th – 2012

Pathfinder China Pathfinder Singapore

Pathfinder China and Singapore team with the 911 jump team

after the drop at Kdan Roy drop zone flying the colors of Pathfinder and

Singapore

On January the 9th the Pathfinder teams from both China and Singapore headed for Cambodia for a 7 days event event with the 911 para brigade in Cambodia. Both teams did set off from Singapore and were to spend the next 7 days on training together with the 911 elements at Phnom Penh and at Thmor Thom in Sihanoukville province. The manifest was not open since it only targeted instructors and logistical support personnel to assist the 911 brigade. There is an open manifest in March 2012 for those willing to jump in Cambodia. As per our agreement with the 911 brigade our program had the following objectives ; 1 - Inspect the current facilities notably the tower jump that has been sitting idle for years and collect civil engineering data 2 – Tour the local high school infrastructure as we have initiated a charity project that will provide the school with a viable library for the

students to study 3 - Perform a common jump out of Phnom Penh Pochentong Air Force base. For this jump an innovative way of fitting the Y-12 aircraft for static line courtesy of 911 jump masters ingenuity.

The “Harbin Y-12” is a Chinese made aircraft. The model above is similar to the one used for the jump with the 911 elements. It can operate from short unprepared runways. 4 – Train several dozens confirmed divers on

advanced diving techniques such as drown proofing skills, beach recons, infiltration, exfiltration. While these skills are honest across several months of basic training at diving school , the exercise helped assess and determine the areas that needed improvements.

From left to right : Dion Pathfinder Singapore leader , Lloyd Jumpmaster and Diving Instructor from

Pathfinder Singapore, Maamar Pathfinder China at the Kdan Roy drop zone one day before the jump to

assess the DZ preparation (winsocks, wind blades,

perimeter and test some of the equipment we did bring along).

Next day wake up call at 05:00 a.m. to head for the Pochentong Air

Force base and board the Y-12 aircraft.

Comparing the Chinese made wind meter with the American one while preparing the DZ for the next day.

Kdan Roy drop zone

Pathfinder China Yi Ting and Pathfinder Singapore Dion Inspecting part of the equipment such as the US Army parachute drop bags , lowering lines and straps.

Assessing the jump tower infrastructure and discussing the anchor points locations and other related topics.

The current jump tower is one of the largest of its kinds however the adjacent pillars are still to be erected.

Far right Lt. Sawy.

Tower jump blue print

Current jump tower at 911 needing refit and completion.

The jump tower has been erected based on a Korean blue print and with some advisory from the Kopasus corp. While the main structure is standing the adjacent poles for holding the harnesses and cables are still to be completed. There is a 50 meter distance between the jump tower and the mounds where the jumpers are to and which is the standard distance in this case. There is some work to be done to assess whether the original structure for the anchor points can be salvaged or whether new ones need to be worked on.

At the rappelling tower with the 911 team. Part of Tuesday afternoon was dedicated to some rappelling , fast rope descent and shooting. The rope has seen better days but then its been years since we had it from Hong Kong. It was heart warming to see that the team expanded its arsenal of hooks and snap links while reinforcing the rappelling tower structure.

Secondary school library project

Cambodia is a country where a third of the population is still living on under a dollar a day. This translate into every commodity being scarce. I had thought about a little contribution to the effort of rebuilding the local infrastructure. There are two projects running at the school. The first one was the building of 2 additional floors and the filling of a nearby pond. The second one was the library for which we took charge and will be doing so until completion of the project within this year. We are back in March to assess the progress and proceed with some additional work as we would lk the students to use the facility in due course. With the school principal and a teacher inspecting the school facilities and discussing

how to fit the school library. A current batch of books and other material have been supplied. The next step would be

to refit the library floor and setup bookshelves. This is to be done in March on our next visit to 911.

Lunch at 911

Offering prayers at the local temple in Angsnuol close to the 911 camp (far right Col. Sum Samnang)

With Dion and Lloyd (Pathfinder Singapore) prior to the jump at Pochentong Air Force base with the fleet of Y-12 in the background.

Pochentong Air Force base with a view of the civilian airport in the background.

This jump was conducted using Korean Mc1-1B rigs. Option was to use the SAN Chinese military chutes similar to those we are currently using for the jumps in China but the option was dropped. The Chinese military parachute has to be deployed at a higher altitude but has a “smoother” control with a softer landing than the American counterpart. A mix of 911 and Pathfinder. With Brig. General Saroeun

With the Senior 911 staff . Most Interaction were made in either English or Bahasa Indonesia due to the fact that most personnel was trained by Kopassus in Indonesia and therefore well well versed in Bahasa. Lloyd had to use Bahasa most of the time much to the delight of the Cambodian personnel.

Back from Preah Vihear at the Thai border , Gl. C. Pakday greets us at 911. General Cheak Peakday one day before leaving for Singapore.

Water training At Thmor Thom. An isolated and quiet area cut out of the forest in Sihanouk province,

while the scenes were picturesque the local fire flies

and mosquitoes made it an “interesting” experience…

08:00 briefing on the fist morning at the Thmor Thom training location.

Lloyd and Dion inspecting the 911 equipment at Thmor Thom

Lloyd, under water operatorion instructor during a debrief session

Dion on another debrief at Thmor Thom

Back from a 1.5 km swim The exercise also included towing an injured swimmer from a distance while honing the team swimming skills.

Feet and hands tied in the back and tossed into the water.

The drown proofing exercise. swimming with hands and feet tied up. Lunch at Thmor Thom

In memory of Thmor Thom

With the flying colors of Singapore, Pathfinder and Cambodia as day ends and the sun sets …

From dawn to dusk, last day of training at Thmor Thom

Lloyd at the command of the boat during “spotting” exercise while the trainees were on a 1.5 kilometer swim as a first item of the day for the training. Lt. Sawy was to film under water for the daily debrief.

A hour prior to leaving for the airport with 911 elements. In the middle Col. Eun, diving instructor, at his

right Col. S. Samnang.

The collectors corner : – Cambodian army pixelized uniform (Chinese made) now for

the troops at the border area at Preah Vihear

2 – A specially minted Diver badge (US made)

in the middle the one awarded by 911, the others are made of heavy brass , nice finishing and US

made.

3 – A metal subdued wing in metal for the BDU (US Made)

4 – Locally made Parachute wings

5 – locally made old Commando badge

Author : Maamar FERKOUN – Pathfinder China