We have done VIP extractions in politically troubled areas and warzones before.
These VIPs are usually rich businessmen in need of a fast ticket out when major airports in their countries are closed and armed hordes are running around with guns. It makes any journey unsafe.
What we will usually do, is to get the VIP client to the nearest safe airport first, usually by helicopter or armed security convoy. This requires detailed study of maps, ground intel on the situation, use of local informants to reach VIP's extraction point etc.
As you can guess-- situations in Libya and other war torn areas are particularly unsafe now for airplanes given the RPG and shoulder launched anti-aircraft missile threats.
Hence we usually go in at night.
A ground marking and security team will be in place with IR chemlights plus a ground placed codeword for the helicopter to land.
The Jet transporting the client to wherever destination-- usually some place in Europe will usually be specially chartered and pilots told to fly in a cockscrew fashion to a high cruise altitude within airport boundaries to avoid missiles. Some missions have the VIP using his own jet... which we have to secure first with additional teams before taking client to the airport. Jet security requires securing both hangar area as well as the jet itself and using our own jet and refueling and maintainence crew to make sure everything is safe.
We only work with pilots and crew who have completed missions with us before to ensure everybody sings from the same page of music.
Even the helicopter journey to the airport requires special skills to fly... low and fast with night vision goggles plus glare from citylights and streaking random rounds in the air. There might be a door gunner for added security depending on the mission. Our mission planners chose the safest route with least vehicular and human traffic to avoid incidents.
This requires liason with our people on the ground, in some cases paying off certain parties, armed gangs etc to look the other way to get our convoy safe.
Lastly-- have a safe journey with us. You will be served caviar and champagne on almost every chartered flight. Relax-- we will be with you.
We have never had a casualty.
No comments:
Post a Comment