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Y Care International proposed to fund two specialists
to travel to Armenia and produce a definitive report covering possible routes for the
shipment of aid. IRC was asked to provide a small support & communications team
to help these specialists.
Here are extracts from the mission reports:
The specialists:
Harry Leefe (logistics), a member of IRC and Cranfield Trust.
Peter Ranger (mechanical engineer), a member of Cranfield Trust.
It would be their task to produce the report on Routes along which any future Aid
Shipment to Armenia would be sent. These routes would come from 3 directions, Iran, Turkey
and Georgia.
The IRC team
Barry Sessions, Glen Lloyd, Brian Davison and Willie McMartin.
It would be their task to support the Specialists and provide communications via
satellite links. To allow the team to split and still have communications a TCS 9200
System "A" was hired.
A two week period had been allocated to carry out this task, flying via Paris to
Yerevan in Armenia. Temperatures were expected to be very low and specialist kit to deal
with this was obtained.
Tuesday 1st Dec 1992
The team assembled at Glory Mill the evening prior to departure.This gave time to
package equipment, brief and meet the specialists. It was decided that as we would be
working part of the time as 2 units, these would consist of:
| Team A |
Team B |
| Harry Leefe |
Peter Ranger |
| Willie McMartin |
Barry Sessions |
| Glen Lloyd |
Brian Davison |
Wednesday 2nd December 1992.
This was to start quite well but fell away as the day went on. The team travelled
to Heathrow with a good margin of time to book in the equipment but delays due to excess
baggage, and the need to have it checked through to Yerevan, necessitated a little bit of
negotiation. Bad weather at Paris meant the first flight was aborted, followed by a
2 hour wait back at Heathrow. The next flight was delayed due to an emergency with
another aircraft but the team finally got their Aeroflot connection and reached Yerevan at
0640 local time.
Thursday 3rd December 1992.
The entry into Armenia was slow but fortunately the team met a group from the PYUNIC
Association. They were at the airport on other business but agreed to transport them and
the equipment to the Armenian Hotel where their contact was to be found. On their
first view of Armenia, it was clear to those who had been before how much change had taken
place. The hotel was a culture shock. It was one of the best in the country
and really brought home how poor conditions were. Four rooms were booked, three for
the personnel and one for the equipment.
The team started to settle in and once more checked the equipment. Just as well
as one generator had inadvertently been packed with oil in the sump and this had leaked
over the complete contents of one box. IRC members set up and tested both Satellite
Communications units and found all in order. Initial problems of locating satellite
were solved by use of a GPS unit to fix exact latitude and longitude. The
specialists started into meeting those who could help and the planning of the first trip
out.
Saturday 5th December 1992.
Transport arrived one vehicle short. It was still at Spitak Rescue HQ. Team
B, who were to travel to Georgia left to join up with this vehicle. Whilst at Spitak
HQ they arranged to have a letter of introduction typed in Russian but on IRC headed paper
in case it may help them on their journey north. Team A headed south for Iran.
Team A travelled to Goris. They found the journey fairly easy; Goris was a rest
and recuperation centre and appeared fairly wild. They arrived at Megri and
were well pleased with what they found, although the journey was not without its moments
due to the roads and passing through bandit areas.
Team B travelled through Armenia and into Georgia. At Tiblisi they made contact
with the International Red Cross, then moved on towards Batumi.
Monday 7th December 1992.
Team A decided to try and make Yerevan in a single run. The first Niva with the
trailer would stop only out of necessity, with the second doing the waypoints, etc.
This run took 10 1/2 hours. As they entered Yerevan they heard on the radio that
civil war had started in Georgia. At hotel set up Sat Comms and sent a SitRep.
Team B tried to take a mountain route but were stopped at Colas by snow. They
returned to Batumi and tried a second route. Sent Sit Rep and stayed over in
Samtrazi, unaware of change to war status.
Tuesday 8th December 1992.
Team A spent day passing messages and reports. Planned trip to Turkish border for
next day. Only two members to go as only one Niva available.
Team B head to Armenia on snow covered roads. Arrive back at Yerevan via
Kirovakan.
Debrief and discussion shows both teams appear to have done well. Both Fax
machines giving problems.
Thursday 10th December 1992.
Visit to Spitak Rescue HQ and make arrangements for team A to go to Goris and Lacheen
corridor, and Team B to go to Kirovakan. Teams to look into Distribution network.
Friday 11th December 1992.
Team A sets out for Goris. One Niva blows a cylinder head gasket, 50 Km from
Yerevan. Use Sat Comms to arrange a tow in. Two members must return with vehicle,
whilst another carries on with the local guide and driver.
Team B carry out distribution survey. Stay at Post Trauma Centre overnight.
Sunday 13th December 1992.
Reports and Meetings. Start to check kit for return to UK. Three team
members visit an Orphanage. This is a sole destroying trip. They also help the
PYUNIC Group deliver Ski equipment for kids winter camp.
Wednesday 16th December 1992.
Leave at 0400 hours to start trip home. Very slow with many hold ups. Slight
trouble at Paris due to extra hand luggage. All return home safely.
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