BAF sends 111 personnel to DR Congo for UN mission

A 111-member contingent of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) left Dhaka for the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday to replace personnel serving in the United Nations peacekeeping mission there.

The personnel departed on a United Nations-chartered Ethiopian Airlines flight as part of the rotation of the BAF's 135-member Utility Aviation Unit contingent deployed under the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

The incoming Utility Aviation Unit-23 contingent will be led by Air Commodore A T M Irfanur Rahman.

A special prayer was offered at the departure lounge of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport before the contingent left for the mission.

Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Rushad Din Asad and senior BAF officers were present at the airport to see off the personnel.

The Bangladesh Air Force said its contingents had earned a good reputation in DR Congo through their professionalism, efficiency and sincerity in carrying out peacekeeping duties.

Earlier, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan briefed the contingent at Air Headquarters on 1 November and offered a special prayer for the mission's success.

Addressing the personnel, he urged them to perform their duties with honesty, professionalism and sincerity and bring honour to the Bangladesh Air Force and the country.