The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
The tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla and nine other high-ranking military officials in Marakwet East has plunged the nation into mourning.
Ogolla, accompanied by the other officers, was on a trip to visit troops deployed in the North Rift as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu, and to oversee ongoing school renovation projects in five schools.
Here’s a breakdown of the helicopter involved:
As investigations commence, crucial information is surfacing about the ill-fated aircraft, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The helicopter is among the six Bell UH-1H Huey II helicopters acquired by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) from the United States in 2016.
Manufactured by the American aerospace company Bell Helicopter, this aircraft is the inaugural member of the renowned Huey family and the first turbine-powered helicopter utilized by the US military.
At the time of procurement, officials stated that these helicopters were intended to enhance Kenya’s military capabilities, particularly in counter-terrorism operations and support for troops in the African Union mission in the region.
The chopper represents an upgraded version of the iconic Bell UH-1H medium-lift helicopter, incorporating advancements such as refurbished airframes, upgraded engines, drive trains, avionics, and rotors.
The Bell UH-1H initially saw combat deployment by the US military during the Vietnam War in 1962.
Characteristics, Capacity, and Capabilities:
The helicopter served various purposes, including general support, air assault, cargo transport, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, electronic warfare, and ground attack missions.
These enhancements provide the helicopter with improved hovering capabilities and longer time between overhauls (TBO) for critical components, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
It can accommodate passengers, including two cabin crew members, and measures 17 meters in length with a height of four meters.
The aircraft boasts a cruising speed of 209 km/h, with a maximum speed of 238 km/h.
The chopper can be configured for diverse missions, including disaster response, firefighting, military support, cargo transport, special operations, and search and rescue efforts.
While the cause of the crash on Thursday, April 18, remains undisclosed, the investigation is exploring all aspects, including the aircraft’s maintenance history and flight conditions at the time.
Mission Details:
President William Ruto outlined the events preceding the tragedy, noting that Ogolla boarded the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter from Nairobi on Thursday morning.
His itinerary included inspections of Chesitet Primary School, Cheptulel Boys High School, Chepoton Primary School, Ksaa Primary School, and Sablimoi Primary School.
After being briefed on the security situation at Chesitetin in Baringo by a multi-agency team, he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana to address troops.
Subsequently, he departed from Kainuk to Chesegon in West Pokot to inaugurate the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School.
While en route to the Recruits Training School (RTS) in Uasin Gishu at 2:20 pm to inspect construction facilities, the tragic incident occurred as the helicopter went down.
