In early January 2002, Rob 'Soky' Sokel captained the first RAAF C-130 mission to Afghanistan - under Operation Catalyst. In this episode you can hear Soky describing this epic mission with all its challenges:

• Scrounging for equipment
• Being hit by lightning
• Unable to pay contracted support agencies (loading and fuel)
• Making a wrong turn and being confronted by armed guards
• Running late for their slot time into the area of operations
• A leaking fuel tank
• A bombed out runway
• Failing communications equipment
• An APU fire indication in Kandahar
• Being shot at
• Diverting for fuel
• Etc.

What an amazing story!