UK | Operation Integrated Aid

[Jamie]

OPERATION INTEGRATED AID
Operation Directive, August 1998
Security Classification: SECRET

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XI. PRELIMINARYX
The unification of North and South Korea is an enormous shift in the political arena with many moving parts and with recent information originating from the region, the United Kingdom has offered the deliverance of supplies to support the unification efforts over a two month period.

XII. BELLIGERENTSX

Blufor United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Opfor

XIII. STRENGTHX

ACTIVE DEPLOYMENT
[2] C-17 Globemaster III

GAUNLET001 / ZK1042
[13] Personnel (2 Pilots, 1 Loadmaster, 10 Support Staff)
[100,000] lb of combined food, water and medical supplies.​

GAUNLET002 / ZK1043
[13] Personnel (2 Pilots, 1 Loadmaster, 10 Support Staff)
[100,000] lb of combined food, water and medical supplies.​

XIV. CASUALTIES AND LOSSESX

Blufor	Opfor	Non-Combatant
Dead: 0 Wounded: 0	Dead: 0 Wounded: 0

XV. OPERATING BASESX

Designation	Location	Status
Pyongyang International Airport	Pyongyang International Airport	Complete

XVI. CAMPAIGN REGISTERX

Operation	Description	Status
Operation Integrated Aid AUG1998 -	Delivering supplies to support the Korean Unification.	Complete

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Hosted at RAF Brize Norton, two C-17 Globemaster's from 10 Squadron A Flight sat on the tarmac with the rear ramp open and logistical units on site beginning the loading of cargo specifically counted to support the unification of the Koreas. Consisting of; Food; Water and Medical Supplies. Cargo pallets were carefully stored on the ramp via forklift and hoisted in by the ground crews. Throughout that time, the Aircrews participated in briefings and put flight plans in place to minimize any risks, assessed weather forecasts and the optimal route to save fuel. After some discussions, a finalized plan was put into place that the two C-17s conducting the first route would depart from RAF Brize Norton and conduct refueling stops at Cyprus and Diego Garcia before arriving at their final destination; Pyongyang. Concluding the briefings, they received word hours later that the aircraft were loaded which served as an opportunity to begin exterior checks before eventually boarding to finish pre-flight checks. All checks complete and the first aircraft, GAUNLET001, was ready for departure.

Word came in from air traffic control, by this time, the aircraft was at the end of the runway pending confirmation.

"ZULU-KILO-ONE-ZERO-FOUR-TWO Runway Two Five, Cleared for Takeoff"

Photographers on the perimeter of the airbase were eager to see the huge aircraft depart, the engines roaring in the distance whilst it made its transition down the runway before rotating, the front wheel leaving the ground followed by the back, ascending into the sky and beginning to follow the predetermined route: IO>JN>KM>LL>LK>MJ>NJ>OJ>OK>PL>PM. In advance of the flight, the Korean Government were made aware of both departures, been an hour behind one another, with an indication of arrival time to ensure enough notice was provided. Throughout the transition across Europe, then into Asia, routine monitoring of all instruments took place with emergency airports listed in the event of any problems.

Jay

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[Jay]

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The Airspace over the Republic of Korea would have a special secure zone over its Northern Airspace. With large amounts of military traffic and maneuvers, the AIDZ would be closed without permission. Under their own Operation, ROKAF C-130 Hercules and other transport aircrafts would be bringing in supplies, while limited travel of civil servants were being flown in through Korean Air. The Operation's Command Structure operating inside Pyongyang Airport would receive updates from the British Royal Air Force. The Command Structure in Seoul would also communicate with the OCS in the Pyongyang. As the Two British C-17 Globemasters entered Korea's AIDZ, two KF-16s from the 18th Fighter Squadron currently on patrol would move to provide escort as the C-17s entered Korea's Airspace and began their descend into the airport.

The ROK Air Force Air Traffic Control would relay their landing zone and provide further instructions as the two aircrafts would land. Their escort would return back to their patrol pattern and secure the Northwestern Sectors. The C-17s would land and taxi where crew members would be waiting to help them off load.

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

OPERATION INTEGRATED AID
Security Classification: SECRET

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Throughout the journey, updates were regularly sent to the Republic of Korea's Airforce with information as to the current whereabouts of the two RAF C-17 Globemasters, containing a combined effort of 200,000 lbs of cargo destined to support the unification of the North and South. An hour behind each other, the first C-17, abiding local air control, arrived on the border to Korean Airspace and made their approach. Keeping on track, an increased rumble could be heard from within the cockpit, even over the engines of the Globemaster which prompted intrigue. Looking outside to their left and right, the flags of the Republic of Korea was seen first on the wing of what appeared to be F-16 Fighting Falcons. Eventually, the RAF aircraft begun its descent to the designated airstrip of Pyongyang Airport. "Touchdown" was voiced in the cockpit, rolling down the runway and, when slow enough, exiting at the available taxi-way. Not long after and the huge aircraft came to a halt at the specified ramp where it would remain for some time to allow unloading of the supplies, which would be assisted by the RAF Personnel on board.

An hour later, and the same procedure would take place for the second C-17 that was arriving at the same airport; providing it was approved by the local authority, the intent was to keep both aircraft there until the following morning to allow aircrew to rest before making the trip back to the United Kingdom.

Jay

 

[Jay]

As the second C-17 began its descent, it would be escorted by another group of KF-16s that had taken up the patrol of the Northwestern Sector. The First C-17 wold have an ROK Air Force crew assisting it as it unloaded its supplies. As the offload process was underway, Colonel Kim Sohnjin would greet the British Pilots and RAF Personnel. ROK Air Force personnel would help with unloading the equipment. The RAF Personnel would see a number of ROK Chinooks and Blackhawks at the airport, with their pilots getting ready for another mission as they carried pallets of what would most likely be humanitarian aid for delivery. The 53rd Air Mobility Squadron and its six Lockheed KC-130J Hercules would continue their daily operations of bringing in supplies from the South and occasionally would be seen. Aside from these transport aircrafts, the airport's airbase section housed the 11th Fighter Squadron and its five F-15K Slam Eagles and four KAI TA-50s.

After the unloading process The aircrafts would be guided to parking zone on the airfield where they could secure the aircraft and dislodge into the Air Force barracks in the airbase. The barracks would have cots ready and the mess hall open. Colonel Kim and a translator would be there to help the British Airmen feel at ease and relax. While the airport was busy with military traffic, there was not much to do in the downtime except rest. As to not keep them up too long, the Colonel would leave them be when needed and the translator ready to assist when needed walking around the barracks here and there.

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

OPERATION INTEGRATED AID
Security Classification: SECRET

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Over the last weeks, the arrival of Royal Air Force C-17 Globemasters were becoming a routine occurrence, attracting aviation enthusiasts in the UK as they departed and upon their arrival back home. Each trip saw the delivery of food, water and medical supplies to continue to support the unification of the North and South. Despite been experienced pilots, it was an invaluable opportunity to catch up on flying hours whilst sticking to the values held by the United Kingdom to support those in need. The Government had approved further flights which occurred over the weeks to provide more supplies and, like the journeys prior, their limited time in Korea was spent as the chance to build relationships with other forces on the ground.

Having already exceeded the mandated number of flights, the C-17's had ceased flying operations and returned to their respective home stations, concluding Operation Integrated Aid.

Jay