By: Captain Nik Huzlan (Hajj & Charter)

The STAR, 23rd January 2007

It all began.......

Little did I know what was in store for me and my crew 24 hours after I finished a drive to Awana with the Smartcarsmalaysia forummers, from a website I help moderate.

Sunday was a wet gloomy day as about 7 Smarts and an assortment of other cars met at Petronas Damansara for a fun drive onto the twisty roads of Awana. I actually pushed my BMW R1100S Boxercup Superbike out but saw the gloomy skies and decided to drive my Smart Brabus instead. Although it was a wet morning, I did see a few (hardcore) bikers buddies up Awana that day.

- Awana Sunday 21st Jan -

After reaching home that afternoon, I went about packing my bags for a short one day stay at Beirut, Lebanon, a rest stop planned after dropping of 270 Malaysian Peacekeepers. Normally i do not follow Charter Flights that I organise, but due to the value of the contract and the flight being the first of the many in the Long Term agreement it was decided that I should accompany the B744.

Before that……

Negotiations for the flight began five weeks ago, after UN approval was obtained for Malaysia to send a contingent of our Peacekeepers to Beirut. Having agreed with the pricing and schedule, we sealed the contract, and I got the MasCharter team cracking getting all sorts of approvals necessary for the organization of the flight. A B747-400 with a capacity of 380 seats ( 9M-MPK) was identified for the non-stop 10 hour flight from Subang Air Force Base to Beirut. Armand (Charter Photo Journo) was assigned photo duties while Ariv ( part time Videographer and Military enthusiast) was appointed the video hack. A crew of 14 Stewardesses along with one Chief was selected, together with three pilots, one loadmaster and a travelling aircraft engineer. Weapons and munitions were packed in accordance to the UN/ICAO DG requirements, busses were booked to ferry the troops from the KUA base to SZB and overnight hotel were also arranged for them.

The week before, we ferried a batch of 88 peacekeepers on the scheduled MH flight, upgrading the A330 to B744 to accommodate the Military Cargo.

We also arranged catering and tenting facilities for the families to send off their loved ones. Having been told that DPM will be sending the troops off, VVIP catering was also organised. Our trusted caterer, LSG Skychef was roped in for this purpose.

Cargo Loading

Cargo loading commenced that Sunday evening with a convoy of Army trucks heading into the MAS cargo complex, dropping of the necessary equipment and rations. The aircraft was then flown to Subang from KLIA to depart at the stipulated hour.

- The Business Class Cabin as prepared for the Peacekeepers -

On arrival Subang a MAS Security personnel was assigned to guard the aircraft

Goodbyes being said…..

Monday morning found me at the base, looking at touching scenes of the Armed Forces members saying goodbye to their beloved families knowing that they will not be meeting them for at least 6 months. The soldiers with their families.

Touching scenes of a one year old who wouldn't want to let his beloved dad go....

Of formalities of departure…….

Rollcall commenced at 0630 and the soldiers took their  boarding passes and went through the immigration, customs and security formalities.

As the families await for a final goodbye……

The Deputy Prime Minister / Defence Minister says Goodbye to his Troops.

The DPM decided to come aboard the aircraft for a last goodbye to his troop, and walked around the cabin.

As the steps are being withdrawn little Ashraf  points to the aircraft his dad is on board……