11 Feb 2010 

Despite being in theatre, there comes a time – on a regular basis – when training must take place. This is done to keep the old hands up to speed on the various aspects of the job and to show the new guys how to operate when certain circumstances arise. So today I became the “lost car”. 

The area has a lot of back roads and travel can be quite hazardous at times - especially when it gets wet. There are areas that have very poor radio reception and cell phone coverage is non-existent. While some vehicles – including mine – have a satellite telephone mounted in them, not all of them have this nice piece of equipment. So for the sake of the training I was to go “lost car” and not use my sat phone.

So I left on the morning run to a small place called Ha’on and called in my location, From there I climbed the front of the cliff to the top of the Golan Heights using the old dirt track. From my view point I was able to see one of my rescuers coming up the hill looking for me.

Fom my perch on the side of the cliff.

Looking slightly south and west:

Looking more west and slightly north over the Sea of Galilee:

I am here for a small amount of time and the radio operator starts to look for me because I missed my check in time. Of course I do not answer and the plan starts into motion. Soon there are many vehicles looking for me. Eventually all possible roads I could have taken - including the dirt trails will be covered by searchers. Standard procedure on UN missions.

Eventually my position will be found by simple elimination of possible routes I might have followed.

Lo and behold! My saviour arrives.

Part of this training was to include a recovery of the broken down vehicle. By the time my first rescuer had arrived, the others were fast closing closing in on me as well. Within a few short minutes we were all together - the various vehicles all approaching from different directions - and we were now to wait for the recovery team to come and fetch my "disabled vehicle".

Recovered and on its way to maintenance.

The end of the training and now off to de-brief the newbies.