DETAILS REVEALED ABOUT SOUTH SUDAN OPERATION

The Air Force has released details surrounding the failed CV-22 Osprey insertion into Bor, South Sudan, in support of the evacuation of some Americans last year.

According to the official investigation, the mission began “in the early hours of 21 December 2013, when three (Florida-based) CV-22 Ospreys belonging to the 8th Special Operations Squadron” launched a mission to evacuate U.S. citizens from the onslaught of violence between militants and government forces in the city of Bor.

After flying through three countries and covering a distance of 790 nautical miles, the three-ship of Ospreys arrived on time at their destination — the United Nations compound in Bor (which SOFREP previously covered when the compound was overrun in late 2013, resulting in the deaths of several U.N. peacekeepers).

Upon arrival in the city, the Ospreys had performed a reconnaissance overflight of the compound to “gather intelligence on ground activities,” which revealed no abnormal patterns of life or immediate threats.

But later, while on initial approach to the U.N. compound, the Ospreys “came under heavy fire from heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire,” hitting the three aircraft 119 times, investigators said.

This barrage of gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades caused “multiple system failures on each of the three Ospreys … (including) damage to flight control systems, hydraulics and fuel leaks.” It also resulted in the wounding of four special-operations troops, which SOFREP has confirmed to be Navy SEALs working with SEAL Team 3.

Upon maneuvering the aircraft out of range of the enemy’s weapon systems, the formation commander conducted a damage assessment of systems and personnel. Three of the four wounded SEALs were found to be in critical condition, which led to the Ospreys flying immediately to Entebbe, Uganda, where the troops could receive the most prompt treatment.

While en route to that town for medical care, which is about 480 nautical miles from the U.N. compound, the Osprey crews performed what lifesaving treatment they could. They acquired the “blood types of the wounded, and (drew) matching blood from personnel on board.” These actions were critical in extending the survivability of the wounded SEALs, and they ensured that immediate blood transfusions could be completed upon arrival in Uganda.

If such measures weren’t impressive enough, the Osprey crews were also required to coordinate multiple air-to-air refuelings en route to Entebbe, due to the severity of damage to the aircraft and multiple fuel leaks.

It was the rapid and intelligent actions of the Air Force special-forces crew members during this mission that earned them “the 2013 Mackay Trophy, which is given by the U.S. Air Force to the most meritorious flight of the year,” according to the investigation.

While the original mission was aborted due to circumstances beyond the crews’ control, the follow-on actions spoke volumes to the professionalism and dedication of the Air Force and its continued effort to provide top-notch support in any environment.

It was originally reported that the Osprey formation came under fire from possible South Sudanese Army defectors, but given the extensive presence of both government and antigovernment forces in the area at the time, it is difficult to accurately determine who staged the attack. It is also important to note that a U.N. helicopter was shot down in the same area the day before, which significantly underscored the very real danger of the evacuation mission.

South Sudan, which is still embattled amid violence that has killed more than 100,000 people and displaced about 1.1 million others since late 2013, remains just as dangerous as it was in December.

The U.N. Security Council is weighing sanctions against both sides. It remains to be seen whether or not South Sudan will find a respite from the bloodshed, having experienced a painful time adjusting from its U.S.-brokered split from Sudan in 2011.

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