French, Malians and Dutch looking for the Air Algérie flight
(BRUSSELS2) The crash of the Air Algérie MD83 plane AH5017 making the Ougagoudou (Burkina Faso) - Algiers connection in an almost desert area in northern Mali mobilized teams of French soldiers (helicopters, Reaper drone + land resources) , Dutch Minusma (Apache helicopters) and Malians. The Dutch medical services were put on alert in Gao as well as the Spanish members of EUTM Mali in Koulikoro, ready to leave to lend a hand if necessary (the crew of the plane was Spanish). Here is the story as drawn up by the French and Dutch Defense Ministries, which were particularly mobilized.
(Thu July 24)
11h (9:30 a.m. local time) - two Mirage 2000-Ds, based in Niamey, are diverted from their current mission in Mali to conduct initial research on a possible crash zone. Based on the first information, the searches are carried out on two probable flight axes: Ouagadougou – Tessalit, and Niamey – Tessalit.
A coordination cell is set up on site to collect clues coming from the field, in order to direct our search resources in the area.
18 h - several concordant sources - from Burkina Faso, Mali and the Dutch Minusma - allow us to focus our research on the region of Gossi, a town located about 150 km south-west of Gao.
Approx. 22 p.m. - one of the observation drones, equipped with night vision capabilities, the Reaper, based in Niamey in Niger, is beginning an identification mission in this restricted area.
Before midnight - the Reaper flies over the wreckage area. The weather is hostile and the night very dark, without moon, "level 5" say the soldiers. Despite everything, 2 helicopters - a Cougar transport helicopter and a Tiger helicopter in protection - took off from Gao to confirm the location.
A 1h42 - the team lands and allows the formal identification of the wreckage of the plane, which is in a very concentrated area, 200 to 300 meters away.
(Fri July 25)
matin - Two Dutch UN Apache attack helicopters depart from Camp Castor in Gao (Mali), destination: the impact site. They are escorting two MI-8 UN transport helicopters to the disaster area. On board are Country Group Special Operations Ground Group (SOLTG) commandos responsible for supporting the security of the units present and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists.
7h - a new team including a doctor arrives, to allow the first observations.
Forces in Gossi are preparing to set up a forward logistics base and a small command post.
afternoon -. about 180 French soldiers (a company from the Barkhane force) and Malians (two sections of the Malian Armed Forces), reached the accident area by road and track from Gossi, about 80 km from the impact (about 6 hours from road), supplemented by 40 Dutch soldiers from MINUSMA. Mission: secure the area and allow the collection of information; and prepare for the arrival of investigators from the Bureau of Investigation and Analysis (BEA) of Civil Aviation Security.
(Sat July 26)
- (expected) arrival of BEA investigators.
