Monday 27 November 2023

Ras Al-Khaimah - Gateway to SW Asia

Boeing 737-500 on short finals to RWY34


Ras Al-Khaimah, which sits a little over an hour North of Dubai in the UAE is Southern Charters 'Gateway to South West Asia', serving flights operating around the Middle East and into Western Asia.
The airfield at RAK (OMRK) has one very long runway, good parking areas, passenger and freight facilities as well as light maintenance capabilities.  The location makes RAK an ideal stopover between Asia and Europe, avoiding busier airports like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Wednesday 15 November 2023

New Equipment for SCX tactical

 A shipment has arrived in the hangar which will enhance SCX Tactical's operations immensely!

"Hotshot 03" being unwrapped in the hangar

The Tactical-Air division of SCX took delivery of an ex-RNZAF A-4k 'Combat Tactics Trainer' which will join the fleet as soon as refurbishment has been completed.  This is one of three 'Hotshot' trainers built by BVR technology in Israel in the rearly 1990's for the RNZAF.  Only two of the original three are still around, and SCX was very pleased to be part of preserving this piece of RNZAF history.




Sunday 5 November 2023

Latest Mogadishu Arrival

SCX Shipping's MV John Matchett has arrived in Mogadishu with impecable timing just as IDAP required resupply of vehicles and other equipment.
MV John Matchett anchored just outside the port of Mogadishu.  After 'negotiations' were completed the Matchett docked and commenced unloading.


The Matchett finally along-side ready to unload.
Busy scenes as palletised cargo is transfered to IDAP trucks.
Dockside unloading operations in full swing. The Southern Charter team were joined by members of the IDAP Ground Team during the in-port period.




Some of the first suplies ashore, seen at IDAP's logistics base inland from Mogadishu.


The Matchett, a 15,000 ton general cargo ship sailed from Vera Cruz, Mexico on October 17th, crossing the Atlantic, then the Mediteranean before passing through the Suez Canal abd heading down the Red Sea, and down the African coast arriving in 19 days.  There were some delays getting in to port in Mogadishu, with the team from IDAP helping clear the way for docking and unloading.

The Matchett will depart Mogadishu as soon as unloading has been completed.