Thailand | Operation People Resolve

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Title: Operation People Resolve
Document Number: RTAF-OPERE-001/2003
Classification: TOP SECRET
Security Level: Maximum Secure
Date: April 5, 2003

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XI. IntroductionX

1.1 Background

On April 5, 2003, at 1000 Local ICT time, the Thai Airways International Flight TG409 departed from the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, to Changi Airport, Singapore. The Flight TG409 was scheduled to arrive at 1300 Local ICT time. The incorporating and currently lost airplane of Thai Airways International is the Airbus A330-300, which served 250 passengers and 12 cabin crews including the pilot and co-pilot. Due to the unexpected storm that occurred mid-flight, it was speculated that the airplane lost its control and crashed into the ocean. The last known location of the Airbus was at 7.946902,101.481510, which was under the same weather conditions. The immediate rescue mission of Operation People Resolve is gravely challenging. Due to the unsolicited weather conditions and rapid water currents, the debris radius could be 100 km within a month. It is very unlikely that most would survive.

1.2 Objective

The immediate objective of Operation People Resolve is to ensure a swift search and rescue mission for the Thai Airways International Flight TG409. Due to the rapidly evolving nature of weather conditions, the operation will utilize extensive assets of both the Navy and the Air Force.

XII. Command and ControlX

2.1 Guidance

This operation is conducted under the guidance of the Defense Minister, Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, and approval from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

XIII. Operational ForcesX

Thai Navy's First Fleet

• 1st Naval Expeditionary Group (NEG1)
  • 1 Chakri Narubet-class light aircraft
  • 601 Crews
  • 24 Kamov Ka-226
    • HTMS Chakri Narubet
• 11 Naresuan-class Frigate
  • 1,650 Crews
    • HTMS Naresuan
    • HTMS Taksin
    • HTMS Uthong
    • HTMS Ramesuan
    • HTMS Borommarachathirat I
    • HTMS Yotfa
    • HTMS Worawongsathirat
    • HTMS Uthumphon
    • HTMS Ekkathat
    • HTMS Hao
    • HTMS Ban
• RTNAF Squadron 101
  • 16 Kamov Ka-226
  • 80 Crews
  • 3 Gepard-class Frigate
    • HTMS Chao Phraya
    • HTMS Noi
    • HTMS Pa Sak
  • 282 Crews
• Submarine Squadron (SS)
  • 3 Preveza-class, Type 209 Variant Submarine
  • 108 Crews
    • Preveza-class
    • HTMS Manopakorn
    • HTMS Phahonphonphayuhasena
    • HTMS Plaek
• 4th Frigate Squadron (FS4)
  • 9 Naresuan-class Frigate
  • 1,350 Crews
    • HTMS Prasat Thong
    • HTMS Chao Fa Chai
    • HTMS Si Suthammaracha
    • HTMS Narai
    • HTMS Phetracha
    • HTMS Suriyenthrathibodi
    • HTMS Thai Sa
    • HTMS Borommakot
    • HTMS Ngua Nam Thum
  • RTNAF Squadron 201
  • 9 Kamov Ka-226
  • 45 Crews
• 2 Gepard-class Frigate
  • 188 Crews
    • HTMS Kok
    • HTMS Mae Sai

Thai Coast Guard Fleet

• 2nd Patrol Squadron (PS)
  • 5 Pattani-class OPV
  • 420 Crews
    • HTMS Thung Yang Daeng
    • HTMS Sai Buri
    • HTMS Mai Kaen
    • HTMS Yaring
    • HTMS Yarang

Thai Air Force Wing 3

• 101st Fighter Squadron
  • 20 Saab JA37 T(D)
  • 40 Crew/Pilot
  • 230 Ground Crews

Naval Special Warfare Command

• Naval Special Warfare Group – “Sea Tigers”
  • 300 Special Forces boarding HTMS Chakri Narubet

XIV. ExecutionX

4.1 Initial Deployment

All personnel will be reported to the respective base with all necessary equipment per the Defense Ministry documents.

4.2 Communication

Effective communication among all the units must be maintained. Any unidentified or suspicious activity must be reported to the command center immediately.

4.3 Rules of Engagement

Engagement will be in accordance with the established Rule of Engagement (ROE) with the application of Peace Time Readiness (PTR) and international laws. The use of force must be proportionate, and only used in self-defense or to deter identified threats after all non-lethal methods have been exhausted.

4.4 Support

Logistic support, including fuel, supplies, and maintenance, will be provided by the respective naval bases.

XV. CoordinationX

5.1 Inter-agency

Liaise with maritime agencies such as the Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force to ensure maximum coverage and sharing of intelligence.

5.2 International

In case any foreign vessels or units are involved, contact must be established with the respective embassies or consulates and the situation must be reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

XVI. ConclusionX

The Defense Ministry has mobilized all necessary resources for the mission of search and rescue of the Thai Airways International Flight TG409. The Defense Ministry expects that its contribution to the search and rescue effort will help increase the chance of finding any survival and recovery effort.

[Signature]
Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Defence Minister

[Signature]
Thaksin Shinawatra
Prime Minister, Republic of Thailand

Document Clearance:
The Office of the Prime Minister
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The National Intelligence Agency
The Republic Thai Air Force Command Center
The Republic Thai Navy Command Center
The Republic Thai Armed Forces Special Warfare & Operation Command

Distribution List:
The Office of the Prime Minister
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The National Intelligence Agency
The Republic Thai Air Force Command Center
The Republic Thai Navy Command Center
The Republic Thai Police
The Republic Armed Forces Headquarters
The Republic Thai Air Defense Command
The Naval Special Warfare Command

 

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Operation People Resolve Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Top Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: April 5, 2003​ Location: Gulf of Thailand​ Participant: Thailand​

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1200 ICT

After the RTAF-OPERE-001/2003 had been issued, which was 30 minutes after the Thai Airways International Flight TG409 Incident, the 20 Saab JA37 T(D) would have been prepared for a rapid take-off. They would scramble immediately after the document had been issued, flying at maximum speed at a low altitude of 5,000 feet to reach the last known location before slowing down to a subsonic speed. At the same time, an additional 30 IAI Searcher 2 would be deployed in Songkhla for reconnaissance into the last known location at maximum speed, arriving in 25 minutes. They would fly at 5000 feet and slow down to 110 km/hr when approaching the last known location.

The estimated debris radius in the first six hours was expected to be at 2 km. The FS4, RTNAF Squadron 201, and SS, all of which are stationed at Songkhla Naval Base, would depart immediately at 15 knots. All systems of sonar, radar, etc that are operational would be activated for the search and rescue mission. All nine Kamov-226 would take off flying at a maximum speed of 250 km/hr at 5000 feet before slowing down to 220 km/hr to search the area. They would arrive in 20 minutes. All the vessels would be cruising at 25 knots until they arrived in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

At the same time, the NEG1 would depart from the Sattahip Naval Base at 15 knots will all systems activated for search and rescue missions. The Sea Tiger would board HTMS Chakri Narubet and stand by. They would arrive in 12 hours. It is expected that during the first 6 to 24 hours, the debris radius would be 3 to 10 km.

 

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Operation People Resolve Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Top Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: April 5, 2003​ Location: Gulf of Thailand​ Participant: Thailand​

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1206 ICT

All the Saab JA37 T(D) would now arrive at the last known location to perform a lawnmower search pattern that would cover the debris area within 18 seconds.

After they had finished the search, they would identify light debris floating around the area of the last known location. There was no sign of any airplane structure, which had been predicted that they would have drowned.

As they have finished and tracked all information to identify flow patterns and location, they would fly back toward their air base.

1225 ICT

The Kamov Ka-226 and IAI Searcher 2 would arrive and operate simultaneously after all have arrived. It would take the drones to identify the black box at the first pass from 13 need to cover the area within 131 seconds and the helicopter would find the first corpse and debris within 355 seconds in the fifth pass. The body they found, would always be in each part. This would result in many bodies floating around in part.

The 9 helicopters would start recovering the black box and the bodies. As they finished all 13 passes to cover the 2 debris radius, they would recover 6 heads, 15 arms, 3 Torso, and 8 legs. Every part was in a severe and burnt condition. They would fly back to their base including the drone to refuel and prepare for another round.

 

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Operation People Resolve Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Top Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: April 5, 2003​ Location: Gulf of Thailand​ Participant: Thailand​

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1530 ICT

The RTNAF Squadron 201 and the drone would have now completed three rounds of SAR mission and have recovered approximately 35 human remains that could be assembled. They should be arrived at the debris radius in 20 minutes for the fourth round.

At the moment, the FS4 and the SS would arrive at the scene and would begin using all means of passive and active sonar to search underwater for any airplane structure, debris, and human remains. The frigates would be operating in a measured movement to ensure no damage to any debris and human bodies.

They would need approximately 3 passes. To cover the debris area with a 2.5-kilometer radius with a speed of 15 kilometers per hour. It would take them an hour to cover the entire area each round. While there are substantial naval assets presented, it would still be challenging without direct assistance from the RTNAF to recover debris and remains.

They would keep performing the SAR mission until the NEG1 arrived in eight hours and a half.

 

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Operation People Resolve Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Top Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: April 6, 2003​ Location: Gulf of Thailand​ Participant: Thailand​

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0030 ICT

All deployed assets of the Thai Armed Forces would now arrive at the 6 km debris radius. They would begin searching, rescue, and recover all debris and human remains. It would take them searching for 6 hours and 38 minutes before dawn came and the radius became 10 km. During these six hours, they would recover an additional 45 remains that could assemble, summing up the total number to 75 of 262.

They would perform their SAR mission extensively and swiftly for days to come, and the debris radius would become 88.6 km on the tenth day. The ship would get refueled if needed at the closet base. At the same time, the Sea Tigers would dive into the ocean to search and recover any debris or human remains and to find aircraft structures.

 

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Operation People Resolve Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Top Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: April 8, 2003​ Location: Gulf of Thailand​ Participant: Thailand​

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1200 ICT

After the intensive 72 hours of non-stop SAR mission of the Thai International Flight TG409, the operation had successfully recovered all debris and 262 human remains. At the debris radius of 15 km, the operation also recovered the drowned airplane structure from the Gulf of Thailand. The Sea Tigers have been an essential part in escalating and intensifying the debris and human remains recovery because of their specialized skill. A thorough investigation would now take place and the identification of the corpse to be sent back to their family for religious ritual as well.

All the deployed assets would return to their base for maintenance and operational debriefing. The debris and any airplane structure would go into the recycling process for future uses.