In addition to renewing and repairing roads, barracks and constructions, the Vietnamese peacekeeping force was also tasked with repairing and upgrading helipads of the mission, including two helipads at the headquarters of the UNISFA which are playing an important role in goods transportation and patrols.
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Vietnam's Engineering Company Rotation 1 is preparing and upgrading the helipad at UNISFA. |
The task required troops to have knowledge and skills, together with coordination capabilities during task performance. Under the scorching heat of the harsh weather conditions in Abyei, Vietnamese troops wholeheartedly performed their task to complete the construction as scheduled with absolute safety. Hundreds of cubic meters of murran red soil were transported to the scene so as to smooth the surface of the two helipads.
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The construction is implemented as regulated to ensure good quality. |
Meanwhile, they also regularly inspected the construction to address any arising issues, and water the surface of the areas to ensure safety for helicopters’ taking off and landing. The high responsibility of the Vietnamese Engineering Company Rotation 1 contributed to the smooth operation of the field helipads with absolute safety in any circumstances.
Besides, the Vietnamese peacekeepers also assessed the quality of all other helipads in the area, thereby making specific plans to repair and upgrade them.
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The helipads play an important role in Abyei because the road traffic system is flooded in the rainy season and badly damaged by landslides, posing many transportation difficulties in the area. |
The helipads play an important role in Abyei because the road traffic system is flooded in the rainy season and badly damaged by landslides, posing many transportation difficulties in the area. Therefore, helicopters are used to transport goods, food and necessities and ensure political security and social order in Abyei.
After three months of construction, all helipads in the mission have been upgraded with good quality, serving helicopters’ safe taking off and landing activities.
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Building helipads by using murran red soil is a challenge for the Vietnamese engineers. |
Furthermore, the force was also tasked with making a plan to build an airfield at the U.N. Headquarters in Diffra, 42km from the UNISFA’s Headquarters. Due to civil war in Sudan, many refugees fled from war zones to Abyei. Reportedly, every week, hundreds of refugees flock to the region. In order to address any arising issues related to security, and ensure logistic and technical service for units stationed in the area, the UNISFA assigned a Vietnamese engineering team to build the construction plan for the airfield as soon as possible.
Previously, there was a small helipad at Diffra base, but it had been unused for a long time. However, due to the high demand of air transport in the rainy season, the mission has decided to upgrade and enlarge this downgraded helipad.
Building helipads by using murran red soil was a challenge for the Vietnamese engineers because they are used to building helipads with concretes. However, they have tried their best in studying and performing this task.
Within a month, the 200-square meter air pad has been completed to the surprise of the UNISFA Mission Acceptance Team. They highly valued the progress and quality of the construction.
Translated by Minh Anh