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| November 26, 2007 |
On Stand-by
For now I am on stand-by. I was scheduled to fly to Bangladesh today, but I've canceled my flight. MAF is still waiting to get permission from the government of Bangladesh to use VSAT system. In addition, the MAF disaster response manager on the ground there is assessing the need. Most people are able to get e-mail over the cell phone network using a laptop card. This isn't true of all areas, but does work in many areas.
The UN is setting up VSAT systems at four locations where they are working. There is a UN IT cluster meeting on Thursday, and that may be where we can learn more about potential needs. The NGOs working in the country are the ones we are in the best position to help. Some of the larger organizations are able to bring in their own VSAT systems. However, many of them could benefit from the high-speed Internet access that we would provide with a GATR deployable VSAT system.
Tuesday I'll fly from Huntsville back to Boise. I'm taking a GATR system with me. If needed, I'm now very prepared to head to Bangladesh.
Posted by David at 11:38 AM
| November 24, 2007 |
US Marines Serve Bangladesh
After Cyclone Sidr, the US Marines have been requested by Bangladesh to assist the devastated provinces in the southern part of the country. You can read news about the operations at the U.S. Department of Defense web site.
Posted by David at 08:16 AM
| November 23, 2007 |
MAF Around The World
A couple years ago the various MAF organizations around the world joined together to form MAF International. Because MAF US was in the middle of a organizational move from California to Idaho, it was decided to make a decision about joining MAFI when the move was over. In September 2007, after a year of consideration, MAF US joined MAF International. This means that MAF, as a single organization, works in over 60 countries with a fleet of over 120 aircraft. One of those countries that MAF works in is Bangladesh. Please go to the MAF web site for updates on the situation in Bangladesh.
Posted by David at 10:31 PM
| November 23, 2007 |
On The Scene
MAF pilot Rune Karlsson has a web site with news of what is happening in Bangladesh. Rune lives and works in Bangladesh, and flies the Cessna 208 sea plane that MAF operates there. Here are direct links to text and photos he has posted.
http://banglanews.creativephoto.se/todaysflight.htm
http://banglanews.creativephoto.se/latestnews.htm
http://banglanews.creativephoto.se/emtyeyes.htm
http://banglanews.creativephoto.se/todaynews.htm
Posted by David at 10:16 PM
| November 23, 2007 |
Reunion
I flew to Huntsville, Alabama on Thanksgiving Day. After an uneventful trip, I was met at the airport by Paul and Rhonda Gierow. I'm here to spend a few days working with Paul to put together a GATR system that will operate on C-band. We didn't waste any time, and when I arrived on Thursday, we went over to the office after dinner and worked for a couple hours.
Today was a good day, and we successfully completed testing the C-band electronics on a 2.4 meter dish. We'll pack everything up on Saturday, and are now waiting for permission from the Government of Bangladesh to be able to use the VSAT to assist the disaster response effort that is currently going on there.
In September, when I arrived back from the USNS Comfort mission, I had no idea when I'd use the GATR deployable VSAT system again. Certainly no idea it would be so soon. Today it was really helpful to refresh myself on the the operation of the system.
Posted by David at 09:58 PM
| November 21, 2007 |
Making Travel Plans Again
Cyclone Sidr (Category IV) hit Bangladesh on the evening of November 15th. With wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour, the storm caused extensive damage to the southern districts as it moved north across central Bangladesh. More than 4 million people are now known to have been directly affected by the storm.
MAF flies a Cessna Grand Caravan on floats in this country and the plane is in high demand as officials and supplies need to be transported to the devastated areas. Over Thanksgiving weekend three of us from the US MAF fly to Bangladesh to assist in the effort. I plan to be involved in providing Internet access with the GATR deployable VSAT system.
Posted by David at 08:38 AM