18 September 2008

Spriggs-Payne Airfield, Monrovia, Liberia: My name is Samuel Ebo Baiden, and I arrived in this mission on 15 August 2007 as a UNV volunteer for Air Operations. I am a Ghanaian and worked for the Ghana Air Force as a pilot for about 17 years. I am married with three wonderful kids.

During entry into the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), I was first appointed as an Airfield Manager under the Airfield Management Unit at James Spriggs Payne Airfield (SPA). However, after a brief but successful tour of duty I was re-assigned to the Air Operations Centre (AOC) as a Duty Officer (AOCDO).

At the AOC, I was given additional responsibilities of occasionally supporting the Flight Following Officer and the training of Air Liaison Officers (ALOs) and new entrants during induction.

Before I mention the tasks of UNMIL’s Aviation Section, I will like to first of all mention United Nations Security Council Resolution 1509 (2003) of 19 September 2003, which gave UNMIL the following mandate:

•    Support the implementation of the peace agreement signed between the Government of Liberia and the rebel groups Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL);
•    Protection of United Nations staff, facilities and civilians;
•    To provide security at key government installations, in particular ports, airports, and other vital infrastructure;
•    Support for humanitarian and human rights assistance;
•    Support for security reform;
•    Support for implementation of the peace process; and
•    To assist in preparing for national elections.

Hence the Aviation Section mission statement is to provide timely uninterrupted aviation service that is safe, effective and reliable. For this objective to be achieved, the section ensures the quick aerial deployment of troops; offers continuous aerial patrols along the border with Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone; and provides flights for passengers and cargo, liaison and medical evacuations, including flights for VIPs and daily shuttle flights for UN personnel and others as prescribed and authorized.

UNMIL’s Aviation Section is headed by the Chief Aviation Officer (CAVO) and the section includes five units: the Air Operations Centre, the Flight Planning and Scheduling Unit, the Meteorological Unit, the Airfield Management Unit, and the Technical Compliance and Quality Assurance Unit. The Aviation Section currently manages 23 aircraft, mainly Russian-style Mil helicopters.

At the AOC, work can be stressful and hectic. Duty Officers are required to report to work well before the first flight of the day, or else by 0700hrs, and leave the office at least 30 minutes after the last UNMIL aircraft lands. But apart from adverse weather conditions which influence flight cancellations and delays, UNMIL Aviation Section is squarely on course for achieving its objective.

I chose to be a volunteer, because the world has an unequal and, for that matter, an unfair distribution of wealth and services. The only way to close the gap is through volunteerism. Volunteerism can be in the form of cash donations, provision of services, equipment, food, medicine, protection and so on. I am privileged, because I am educated and blessed with good health.