Group portrait of RAAF air traffic controllers with the Australian Services Contingent (ASC), ...

Accession Number P04549.002
Collection type Photograph
Object type Colour - Print
Maker Unknown
Place made Somalia
Date made 16 December 1993
Conflict Somalia, 1992-1995
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright unknown - orphaned work

Description

Group portrait of RAAF air traffic controllers with the Australian Services Contingent (ASC), UNOSOM II (United Nations Operation in Somalia), standing in front of a United States Army Bell 209 Huey Cobra, a close support and attack helicopter. They are providing air traffic control and support services at Mogadishu International Airport, in support of the UN mission and US military protection force. They are part of the Unified Task Force (UNITAF) which was formed by the United Nations (UN) in order to establish a safe environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Somalia. Twenty-seven different countries were involved in the UNOSOM mission, with up to 600 civil and military aircraft movements recorded daily. Air traffic control services only operated between 0600-1800 daily, as the airfield was closed during the hours of darkness. Identified from left to right, back row: Flight Lieutenant Gary Wilson; James (Jim) Wilson. Second row: Ian Brokenshire; Carlton Sergeant; John Meredith; Fleur James; Felicity Wright; Peter Greenacre. Front row (kneeling): Trevor Kerry; Stewart (Stew) Murphy.