GLORIOUS PRESENCE OF VALIANT BANGLADESHIS IN DR CONGO
Wing Commander Munim Khan Majlish,psc
(BANAIR Newsletter I, MONUSCO, January 2016)

I was wondering to speculate the changes of DR Congo and particularly in Bunia city, where I lived more than two years in 2003 and 2010 respectively. I did not expect to witness any more hostility and war like situation that prevailed in 2003. I have already witnessed the gradual development process of the city as the outcome of sustained stability and UN sponsored peace efforts in 2010. In my first assignment in Africa I was received by a South African peacekeeper who left me unattended at the outskirt of Entebbe Airport in the midst of rubbles and bush like surrounding. I was contended to be received by the Pilot–in–Command of Bangladeshi C-130 aircraft at Entebbe Airport in my second assignment who brought me straight to Dungu Airport, one of two airports run by Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) personnel in DR Congo. The other one is Bunia Airport.

After a reasonably comfortable journey by Ethiopian Airways from Dhaka to Entebbe, I felt delighted to find Wing Commander Saif who went to Entebbe to transport personnel of Bangladesh Air Force contingent to Bunia. It is a matter of pride for the nation to state that the only wide bodied transport aircraft of UN Peace Stabilization Mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO) as a strategic asset belongs to our beloved mother land Bangladesh. Saif and his team brought us to a unique landscape of Bunia in DR Congo. I only tried to relate my understanding of the current development of African nations during last five long years while journeying from Entebbe to Bunia.

The landscape of Africa is truly fascinating and elegant. The wide horizon at far distance, the vast vegetation and often scattered water mass with spectacularly drawn sky portraits a wonderful impression in the mind of any ordinary traveler. I did not want to miss any glimpse of this magnificent sketch. It was indeed a competition between illusions of sky and the artistic view of the rivers drawn in the green background to outcome each other regarding stylishness and splendor. I was glued to grasp every drop of African treasure.

When I reached Bunia, it was late afternoon. The sun was still showing his brilliance by illuminating surroundings. Suddenly I was shocked to discover the aggression of urbanization that gradually seized beautiful landscape surrounding Bunia Airport. Peace and stability in DR Congo allowed people to explore economic opportunities and caused development. As a result buildings and structures often constructed here and there scattered. I wonder is the human civilization interfering serenity of nature and spoiling her tranquil existence.

Bunia Airport is totally run by personnel of Bangladesh Air Force. Anyone coming here for first time will find it difficult to articulate whether he is in Bangladesh or in Africa. The aircraft that has brought Bangladeshi air warriors is Bangladeshi C-130, Air Traffic Controller at ATC Tower is another member of BAF; Ramp Controller who received the aircraft all from Bangladesh Airfield Services Unit (BAN ASU), a group of professionals wearing special fire protected gears waiting at Crash Bay are nothing but members Bangladeshi contingent, people who had received new peacekeepers to DR Congo are MOVCON staff also from Bangladesh; highly skilled professional who had been tracking the aircraft for keeping accountability of UN assets are none but Flight Following Staff of BAN ASU. The overall administrator of this one of the most important airport of DR Congo is also a Bangladeshi senior officer. As a Bangladeshi I felt strongly contented and charmed.

The presence of Bangladeshis were everywhere in the blue sky of Bunia and surrounding areas. Six MI-17 helicopter of BAF had been efficiently displaying their unique capability to provide relentless services to all the ground based combat units in Bunia like Guatemala Special Forces and Bangladesh Army. When Chief Air Ops of Bunia needs to take any important decision, he proudly availed the suggestion of senior members of BAN ASU including commander. After a busy schedule of aerial support to accomplish ground operations at Bunia aviators of BAF helicopter, and crew of C-130 aircraft returning from a hectic day of flying find it is very cozy environment to have an afternoon walk in the loop road of Bunia Airport. It is mainly Bangladeshi who are having afternoon walk all over the places in the Airport. Even the passersby sometimes found uttering few Bengali words as exchange of greetings while passing each other. I feel proud as Bangladeshi. The Bangladeshi valiant peacekeepers display glorious presence everywhere; however, mainly in the most two important airports of DR Congo.