The women keeping the Royal Bahraini Police helicopters airworthy
November 13, 2024
The Westland Scout taking centre stage on the Ministry of the Interior’s stand at Bahrain International Airshow – first entering service with the nation’s Police Wing in 1965 before being retired in 1981 – is, admittedly, a little out of date with contemporary expectations. These days, it’s a decorative item (albeit maintained in what appears to be an immaculate condition). And it’s not just aircraft that have moved on, with attitudes and expectations towards those who keep them airworthy also, thankfully, also having evolved accordingly.
Fatema Janahi – who, along with her colleague, were the 10th and 11th women to graduate as a licensed engineer in the Kingdom of Bahrain – have a passion for their profession that is eminently apparent. Despite describing how they initially met with prejudice at the start of their studies, “we’re only doing our job,” laughs Janahi, who adds: “Without the passion you cannot continue. You have to push yourself to learn”.
Of the 20 engineers currently serving with the Bahrain Public Security Force’s maintenance unit at Police Fort Manama, just three are female – with Janahi keen to highlight how clambering over the unit’s eight Bell 412s is a perfect profession for a woman, citing strong synergy between all personnel in the unit regardless of religion or gender. Overcoming the additional potential challenges of a labour-intensive job during the Ramadan fasting, “we have proved we can do it,” she smiles.
The eight twin-engine, utility aircraft currently serviced by the unit fulfil a multitude of missions (more than its predecessor could serve), including firefighting, search and rescue, and airborne monitoring roles. Separate aircraft are generally configured for specific missions, although can be easily switched over; benefitting from the model’s 700km range (its predecessor possessed just 500km). The Bell also offers significantly augmented capacity for 12 passengers (compared to the Scout’s three), alongside two pilots and one additional crewmember.
Of the eight total aircraft, two are Bell Classics and the remaining six 412EPs (equipped with a dual digital automatic flight control system). These have served with the unit since 2008, with the majority of maintenance conducted in-house (with the exception of P&W PT6T engine checks conducted out-of-country). Aircraft and pilot are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to answer any emergency call.
“Everyday we learn something new,” concludes Janahi – duly proud of not just her personal progression within her profession, but also her ability to help ensure aircraft are ready to respond to a request within just 14 minutes. “We’re completing what we started”.
