One of the rugged managers at Southern
Cross Security
The Southern Cross Security boat
- we were supposed to take this on the 3 hour trip down the coast
to Sierra Rutile with supplies,
but bad weather forced us back after an hour and a half. I'm told
it will do
32 knots. I was given a wet
suit to wear on the journey. I needed it . . .
Pacific Architects and Engineering
(PAE) contracts International Charter Inc. (ICI) to fly Russian helicopters
(flown by Russians of course) with
relief supplies all over Sierra Leone. This is me in front of an
Mi-8. They
were very kind to allow me to tag
along on a flight to Bo and Sierra Rutile. ICI uses experienced pilots
and
armed protection to be able to
take supplies to places that other transport companies would not dare.
ICI's Mi-8 transport helicopter
Helicopters fly low in Sierra Leone.
I visited the cockpit and noted the altimeter never got above forty feet
. . .
Eye level with the trees.
Lush Sierra Leone countryside.
Looking up at the hills from the
helicopter.
A scramble to unload the Mi-8
at Bo. The rotors are still running as even one of ICI's guards
is alert for trouble.
An airplane on the runway at Bo.
I think it's seen better days . . .
ICI helicopter on the Sierra Rutile
Golf Course.
Sierra Rutile is a huge mine about
an hour from Freetown by helicopter. Once employing thousands,
the war has forced the company
to close down operations. Until the mine is restarted, Southern Cross
Security
provides serious, no-nonsense protection
for the millions of dollars of idle mine equipment. This contract
was
perviously held by Lifeguard security
which is no longer in Sierra Leone.
SCS's Quick Reaction Force does
an impressive demonstration of advanced infantry tactics.
SCS's Quick Reaction Force is far
better trained than either the RUF or Sierra Leone's own army.
They are also confident, they laughed
with contempt when I asked if they could handle an RUF attack . . .
They are constantly training and
are exceptionally well paid by local standards.
The Sierra Rutile port. When
the mine was operating, these barges would be loaded with
ore and towed down the river to
waiting ships where the ore would be transferred. This photo gives
an
idea of the scale of the operation
and amount of equipment still on site.
If Sierra Rutile wasn't a mine,
it'd be a resort. This shows the employee's now deserted tennis courts.
On the way back to Freetown we passed
over this fishing village.
If you have comments, suggestions, death threats or job offers, email me at
Hoosier84@aol.com