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TEAM BRIEF

ISSUE 24 WINTER 2018

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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CHAIRMANS NOTES WINTER 2018

Another busy year for the Association, in the year the RAF celebrates its 100 th anniversary. The Association in May again held its Bi-Annual Dinner at Alexandra House, Wroughton, which was well attended by over 100 members and their partners. At this event I am pleased to announce that through your generosity we collected on the night £1469.06 split equally between two charities SSAFA and Cancer Research (Photo Below presenting the cheque on

behalf of the Association). June saw the continuing of the Annual Dave Wall Golf in Launceston, Cornwall. Incidentally next year will be the 25th Dave Wall event to be held in the same location in the first week of June.

Next year we are adding an additional event to our calendar in the form of a Meet & Greet Pig Roast, to be held on Sat 22 June 19 in Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Football Club. Full details will be available shortly on the website.

SSAFA District Chairman (Ian Ferries) and Royal Wootton

Bassett Town Crier

Last month again I was one of the fortunate ‘growing marchers’ participating with the RAF

MAMS Association contingent at this year’s Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph, which

this year being over subscribed as there was only 50 places. However this didn’t deter

non-marchers attending the Pre & Post very successful Meet & Greets in The Porcupine

Pub, Leicester Square. My gratitude and thanks on behalf of the whole Association to our

Webmaster John Belcher, for yet again organising this, our very successfully 4th years

participation.

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Pass and present Association Chairmen Colin Allen & Tony

Geerah

Paul Dolan, Singapore

As we come to the end of 2018, the Association continues to thrive. Having met a lot of Association members this year, I feel honoured and privileged to serve as your Chairman of this fantastic Association for the Movement’s Family.

Wherever you are in the world, I would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Hoping you enjoy this issue…..

Warmest regards,

Tony

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Why we do it

They ask us why we do it;

Why we still parade;

Now that we are getting older

And a little frayed;

It’s not for the sake of glory,

Or the medals on our chest;

It’s simply that we are comrades;

Who stood the final test?

On that sombre fateful day;

A day that we will never forget.

Many a lad laid down his life

And paid the final debt.

So when you see a veteran,

Give the man your hand;

For the medals on his chest

Were won in far off lands.

And when God asks the question,

Who are you my man?”

I will proudly answer

“Sir, I am a veteran

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Remembrance Weekend – 2018

This year the number of people who wanted to march far out stripped the number of places the

Association was offered. In all over 80 people applied for the 50 places we were allocated. Even though

there were many disappointed people, we have more than doubled the numbers marching. Four years

ago we had just 24 places. Hopefully we will have even more places next year.

The weekend started with a pre-march past recce of the Porcupine Pub, our newly adopted pub in

London. The pub was lively with loud music and lots of singing which a few Movers enthusiastically

joined in. Apparently, there was some dancing on the (very sturdy) tables. Luckily the music was loud

enough to drown out the out of tune singing. Despite being warned that Movers were thirsty, the

manager had to send his staff out to buy some more barrels of beer from other pubs. A small

contingent broke off from the pub early to attend the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London.

The next morning dawned

and we were greeted with

the sight and sounds of a

large thunderstorm and

torrential rain over London.

Was this going to be the

first year since the early

2000s when it was going to

rain on Remembrance

Sunday? Umbrellas were

readied and people

practiced marching with

them as they made their

way to The Mall. But no, the

clouds were clearing and

bright blue skies were the

order of the day after all.

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Mark Haining wrote:

The opportunity to meet up with fellow movers with the backdrop of an annual event that is so

iconic, humbling and moving all at the same time, is very difficult to put into words. When we meet

up it is almost as if we were back in the crew room and the bantering has never stopped. At the same

time and whilst there is an initial air of back slapping and casualness on Horseguards, including the

self-deprecation of what our marching will look like, it is completely at odds with the upright and

professional attitude everyone in attendance adopts as soon as the marching starts in earnest.

On reflection, I suppose that is what we will all miss about our service as for me it replicates how we

lived and worked during our time in the RAF, when push comes to shove (excuse the mover pun), it

was always a team effort to get the job done with as much pride and professionalism as possible. I

will never forget that about my service days or of the outstanding tradesmen and women I am very

privileged to have served alongside.

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Following the march past, we left Horseguards and made our way to the Porcupine for a post march

past meet and greet. Those marching were joined by a number of people who had travelled to London

to watch the march past and the shout of “MOVERS” was heard a number of times along the route.

Once everyone was gathered and had a drink, a toast was made to absent friends and a list of those

who had gone on their final postings this year was read. It was particularly moving to know that the

family of Myke Wood were able to join us for the toast. As an experiment, it was announced that the

toast would be broadcast live on Facebook to enable those who were not able to be there in person to

virtually join in. This clip is available on the RAF Movers Facebook group and has been viewed over

1,500 times. It’s planned to make this part of the day each year.

Following this toast, a small presentation

of a 1AMW crest was made to the

manager. He made space on a shelf

straight away and the crest was put on

display. He told me he’d had a small panic

when he checked his cellar in the

morning. He had sent his staff on another

emergency mission to get more beer. “As

much as you can buy” was the instruction

given. When I booked The Porcupine, the

manager offered to on a small finger

buffet for those attending as a welcome

to the pub. The food just kept coming and

if that was the small buffet, I would hate

to see the large version.

The staff of The Porcupine really did look

after those attending and nothing was too

much trouble for them. The pub has been

booked for next year and the manager

assures me he will not underestimate

how thirsty Movers are ever again! He

has also said that he will provide a buffet

every year we use his pub. If you’re

visiting London and near Leicester

Square, call into The Porcupine and look

for the crest in pride of place on the top

shelf behind the bar.

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Those marching were:

Colin Allen

Paul Amies

Colin Baines

John Belcher

Gordon Black

Lee Butler

Martin Cawley

Mark Haining

Martin Jones

Duncan Metcalfe

David Powell

Fred Ward

Ian Berry

Tony Geerah

Lorraine Hughes

Timothy Ketcher

Steve Maunder

Phil Overson

Dale Walker

Hoss Wall

Roly Barth

Tony Dunphy

Steve Gelder

Mark Gibbons

Merv Johns

Zippy May

Fiona Morgan-Frise

Andy Rice

Allan Walker

Dave Williams

David Bell

Jai Cookson

John Dey

Tim Etches

Jayne King

Kev Koslowski-Smith

Adrian Maddox

Nige Malyon

Jon Newington

Steph Pritchard

Ray Ralph

12 have marched each year. 8 were taking part in their third march, 14 for the

second time and 15 for the first time.

After a couple of day’s recovery and reflection, planning has already started for

Remembrance weekend 2019. Hopefully there will be even more on parade next

year or joining us at The Porcupine.

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An Air Movers Tale

I read the “Team Briefs” with admiration and respect, it reminds me of those years I spent whilst

serving at various RAF stations

'Humping and dumping ' on Air Movements and MAMS.

OK....! So its a lot different now to what it was.

In my time Air Movements was an offshoot of trade group 18.

Here’s how it was for me.

I joined up on the 16th of October 1956, as a Boy Entrant at RAF Cosford , in the

29th entry trade of Supplier 11.

I signed on for 12, yes twelve years. At 15 years and 2 months of age, yep! That’s

how it was!

The initial 3 months was spent in ITS, ( Initial

Training Squadron) mostly square bashing, trade

training lasted for 15 months and the whole

curriculum also covered Education lessons, physical

fitness, loads of square bashing and lots of bullying

and fagging.

Amazingly I passed out a fully committed 'Blanket

Stacking SAC;' and was posted to the stores at RAF St Mawgan. I was 16 years and 8 months old. I did

not receive the pay for the rank until I reached 17 and a half. Yep I was still on 30 bob a week!

So, I messed about in the tech stores, until I became 19, then by golly, it was off to Bahrain for 2 years,

and into a new life style, which remained with me for the rest of my 11 years service.

I found myself on the Air Movements section.

My introduction to Air Movements, was somewhat of a shock. I had never even heard of the term 'Air Movements.' I had to learn quickly all the intricacies that were thrust upon me.

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There was not much at Bahrain, plenty of sand, No phones, not much money, only mail to keep the thoughts of home in ones mind. When I got there, in 1960, there were only about 400 RAF personnel in residence.

Eventually the two years was up, thankfully I survived, a lot did not. Many succumbed to breakdowns. During my second year they changed the tour, firstly to 12 months then to 9 months duration. I was still doing my 2 years !!

All the trade training ingrained in me as a Supplier, got lost in the following years.

My next posting was to RAF Benson, yep, on air movements.

Not long after I got there, off I went on No. 6 Junior Movements course at RAF Kidbrook, in London, Absolutely brilliant place.

Here I am, chatting to the AOC.

The course was a 'Movements course,' it covered all surface and air movements, lasting 6 glorious weeks.

Then back to Benson, 3 years chucking stuff about on Argo-sy's .

Oh yes, I got married here.

Next posting, was to the newly formed Near East Air force Mobile Air Movements team (NEAF MAMS) at RAF Akrotiri, we also did a year at Nicosia, then Back to Akrotiri.

Wow, there is loads of stuff to write about here, but I'll spare you that!

After my 3 years on MAMS, I got posted to my last tour of duty station, at RAF Lyneham. Messing with Britannia’s and Hercules C130,s

It all ended with my demob in 1971 at the age of 30 and my entering civil aviation, with a career at Bristol International airport which lasted for 27 years.

Here below are some of the aircraft types that us movements 'Coolies ' sweated on... Shows my age!

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I found that my service life and career put me in good stead, for the challenges that lay ahead, within civil aviation. Although not engaged on working on aircraft, I became an airport administrator.

Eventually taking early retirement at 56; and I am still enjoying my retirement.

Here are some of the other uniforms that I

wore throughout my working life.

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Regards Gerry.

Gerry Davis, a sometime air mover.

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Just to update you all, this afternoon I successfully presented the SAFFA Cheque to the Regional Secre-tary Ian Ferries. We hopefully will get a good bit of PR as the picture attached will feature in next weeks local paper! Thanks to you all for your support in helping arranging the function in May where this considerable money was raised for both charities

Kind Regards

Tony Geerah

Chairman RAF MAMS Association Email: chairman@ukmams.co.uk

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Lament of an old Air mover.

I’ve past my prime, I’ve had a good time, and the days are short and moving;

A meet and greet and lots to say, is what’s offered on the day;

Movers old and Movers young, not forgetting those in reserve;

Will while away until late in the day, with stories that will say;

The life we’ve had, the life we’ve shared is such a distant past;

Whoever will I know.., if I ever get to go?

Now, I know there are a few of you, who I can see through my malted brew;

There are it’s said a bed of clerks, who penned all day and chose the best perks;

Even so as authors go there are amongst you a chosen few;

Their training, their courage; those Apes of Rock;

Defending the flag and never a brag.

Now most of you, a jolly good few, who have wandered near and far;

Will say, hip hip hooray he’s not coming out today;

But fear ye not you blasphemous lot I was once a “Blanket Stacker”;

But a short time later, looking through the cell grater I thought I’d meet my maker;

So I took the plunge and saw the light as if from a great height;

So I have to deny and tell not a lie, whist wearing my Boy Entrant tie;

No, Sir.. I have not made a goolie in becoming an Air Movements Coolie.

I would, if I could come and share the good grub, but alas the distance is far;

So on the day I will think of you all, sharing a pint or a jar;

My time in blue is a distant hew, in the life of an ancient air mover;

So have a good time, even think of a rhyme and enjoy and keep trim;

Don’t be chained, or restrained, ensure that your pallet is spread;

Winch in and share those tales, whilst sinking all those ales.

Some months ago Some weeks ago

Gerry Davis.

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FROM THE 540

By Ian Berry

1969 – 50 YEARS AGO...

JANUARY

Eastleigh – Exercise Spume/Cablet. Flt Lt DJ Edwards plus 2. Deployment of 1Bn Prince of Wales

Regt & 48 Fd Sqn RE from UK to Kenya and recovery of 16 Parachute Brigade Kenya

to UK.

Ballykelly – Special. FS John Evans plus 4. Deployment of personnel and equipment of 203 Sqn

(Shackleton) from N Ireland to Malta. Argosy task 4425, Hercules tasks 3755/56 and

Andover task 4931.

FEBRUARY

Ottawa – Special. Fg Off David Powell plus 5. Deployment of 2 x Wessex and 1 x Wasp helicopter

from Boscombe Down to Canada for cold weather trials.

El Adem – Exercise Lateran/Caboodle. Fg Offs David Benson & RG Clarke plus 10. Positioning of 2

Fd Sqn RAF Regt, 14 AD Regt and 54 Sqn (Hunters) from UK to Libya VC10 task 2680,

Argosy tasks 2313,4302/4/5/6, 7501/02, Andover tasks 4856/7, Herc tasks 3409-3416.

70 SQN ARGOSY ARRIVING RAF EL ADEM

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MARCH

Coolidge – Operation Sheepskin. Flt Lt KR Murphy, Fg Off CF Clark plus 10. Providing an Air

Movements Organisation at Anguilla & Antigua during a period of political unrest on

the Island of Anguilla.

Vandel – Exercise Superior. Fg Off PA Wiblin plus 5. Recovery of 1 Funen Life Regt (Danish

Army) and 1Bn Welsh Fusilliers between UK and Denmark.

APRIL

Wattisham – Exercise Freesia. Fg Off Jim Stewart plus 5. Deployment of personnel & equip

ment of 29 Sqn (Lightnings) from UK to Luqa (Malta).

Leeming – Operation Marginal. Fg Off PA Wiblin plus 5. Deployment of personnel and equip

ment of16 Sqn RAF Regt to Ballykelly.

MAY

Gutersloh – Exercise Vibrissa. Fg Off Dave Benson plus 5. Deployment of 14/20 Hussars from

Germany to Libya. VC10 tasks 2688/89/90/91, Belfast task 6986, Britannia tasks

6681/3.

New York – Exercise Blue Nylon. Flt Lt EM Coombs plus 5. Recovery of support units of 72

Sqn (Wessex), 543 Sqn (Victor) & 847 Sqn RNAS (Wessex) from NYC to UK after

completion of the Daily Mail Air Race. Belfast tasks 6769/70, Britannia tasks

6480/1.

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JUNE

Gutersloh – Exercise Flame/Saturnin. Fg Off Paul Knight plus 5. Deployment of 2Bn Scots Guards

f rom Germany to Guyana (Belize) and recovery of 30 Sigs Regt to UK.

Micra – Exercise Olympic Express. Flt Lt Roger Wood, FSgt Ken Browne plus 4. Recovery of

elements of AMF(UK) from Greece to UK.

1974 – 45 YEARS AGO...

JANUARY

Wattisham – Exercise Broken Figure. Flt Lt Gerry Keyworth, Sgt DK Henderson, Cpl Boot Pratt,

SAC Ian Place plus 2. Deployment of 29 Sqn (Lightnings) to Cyprus.

Khartoum/Wau – Exercise Mirza II. Sgt Ian Berry & JT Ted Moore. Operating with 46 Sqn

(Andover) in the Sudan in support of 32 Sqn Royal Engineers.

FEBRUARY

Cold Lake – Exercise Musk Tree. Fg Off Tim Leaning, FSgt Baz Shatford, Sgt Ian Berry, SAC

Hoppy Porter plus 2. Deployment of 12 Sqn (Buccaneers) and Rapier Trials

equipment from UK to Canada.

46 SQN ANDOVER XS602 LANDING AT TONJ, SOUTH SUDAN

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FEBRUARY

Cold Lake – Exercise Musk Tree. Fg Off Tim Leaning, FSgt Baz Shatford, Sgt Ian Berry, SAC

Hoppy Porter plus 2. Deployment of 12 Sqn (Buccaneers) and Rapier Trials

equipment from UK to Canada.

Abingdon – Exercise Musk Tree. Fg Off Don Hunter, FSgt Ivan Gervais, SAC Bob Thacker plus

3. Deployment of Rapier Trials equipment from UK to Canada.

MARCH

Marham – Operation Dragonfly. Fg Off Pete Arnold, Sgt Ian Berry, JT Gordon Gourdie, SAC

Steve Broadhurst. No-notice callout to deploy personnel and equipment of 57 Sqn

(Victors) to Leuchars in support of the QRA.

Jacksonville – Exercise Safe Pass. Fg Off Tony Willis, Sgt Bob Turner, SACs Jim Marchant &

Boot Pratt plus 2. Deployment of 201 Sqn (Nimrods) from Kinloss to Florida.

APRIL

Embakasi – Exercise Bullett. Fg Off Pete Burch, FSgt Taff Sugg plus 4. Recovery of UKLF from

Nairobi to UK.

Tangiers – Special. Flt Lt Gerry Keyworth, Sgt DK Henderson, SAC Ian Place plus 3. Recovery

of Concorde support and trials equipment back to Fairford.

MAY

Blantyre – Exercise Occulsion. Flt Lt Jock McKay, Sgt Syd Avery, plus 4. Deployment of Royal

Engineer Field squadrons from UK to Malawi.

Wyton – Special. Fg Off Jeremy Hidden, FSgt Terry Hoy, Cpl Steve Broadhurst, SAC Ian Bell

plus 2. Deployment of 39 Sqn (Canberras) from UK to Luqa.

JUNE

Dakar – Project GATE. Fg Off Peter Burch, FSgt Taff Sugg plus 1. Positioning of personnel and

equipment in support of Project GATE. (See Note at the end of article. IB)

Kingston – Exchange. Wg Cdr John Lambert, Fg Off Tim Leaning, FSgt Dave Eggleton plus 1.

Recovery of Jamaican Defence Force from UK to Jamaica and recovery of 2Bn Para

Regt back to UK.

1979 – 40 YEARS AGO...

JANUARY

Cazaux – Special. FSgt Jack Jones plus 5. Deploy elements of 12 Sqn (Buccaneers) from

Honington to France and recover Puma spares from Marseilles to UK

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Banjul-Yumdum – Exercise Sun River. Flt Lt Fisher plus 2. Deployment of elements of UKLF

from UK to Gambia.

FEBRUARY

Gibraltar – Exercise Test Gate. Flt Lt Alan ovens plus 4. Deployment of personnel and equip

ment of 120 Sqn (CXX) (Nimrods) from Kinloss.

Bahrain – Operation. Flt Lt Guy Blyth, Cpl Bruce Oram plus 1. Evacuation of British Nationals

from Teheran.

MARCH

Edinburgh Field – Special. Flt Lt Len Henry plus 2. Delivery of Stonechat Rocket motors to

Australia for use at Woomera.

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1979 April 4 - . Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: Woomera LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. LV Family: Stonechat. Launch Vehicle: Falstaff.

Chevaline warhead test launch - . Nation: UK. Agency: Royal Aerospace Establishment. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calgary – Medicine Man. Flt Lt Dick Leonard, Sgt Al Potts, SAC Dick Bullimore. Deployment of

2 Gazelle helicopters to Canada and collection of AIM7 Sparrow warheads from

Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio to UK.

.

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APRIL

Tirstrup – Exercise Sprung Tiger. Fg Off Brown plus 5. Deployment of personnel and equip

ment of 1 Sqn (Harriers) from Wittering to Denmark.

Evenes – Exercise Clockwork. Fg Off Ian Drake plus 2. Recovery of 45 Cdo from Norway to

Leuchars.

MAY

Treviso – Exercise Green Lance. Flt Lt Dora plus 5. Recovery of 13 Sqn (Canberras) from Italy

to Wyton.

Aalborg – Exercise Bright Horizon. Fg Off Eric Howlett plus 5. Recovery of 819 RNAS (Sea

King) from Denmark to Prestwick.

JUNE

Belize – Jamaica Flood Relief. FSgt Stu Everitt, Sgt J Thompson, Cpl Brian Harper.

Deployment of medical supplies and two boats from Belize to Sangster for flood relief.

Vandel – Exercise Latent Buzzard. Flt Lt Mike Thompson, FSgt Terry Alfonso, Cpl Gus Cobb,

SAC Keith Jevons. Deployment of 1 Sqn (Harriers) from Wittering to Denmark.

1984 – 35 YEARS AGO...

JANUARY

Seeb – Exercise Sandy Wanderer. Fg Off Kettell plus 3. Recovery of elements of UKLF from

Oman to UK.

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Hong Kong/ - Exercise Atap Hurdle. Fg Off Mark Attrill plus 2. Deployment of 40 Cdo RM to

Brunei,

Shanghai - Recovery of CAS from China to UK.

FEBRUARY

Kathmandu – Exercise High Trig. FSgt Mick Day plus 2. Recovery of 42 Survey Engineering

Regt from Nepal to UK.

Oerland – Exercise Hardfall. Fg Off Joe Joseph plus 5. Deployment of 39 Sqn (Canberras) from

Wyton to Norway.

MARCH

Andros – Operation Knit. Fg Off Colin Waitt plus 5. Support to Royal Navy between Florida and

the Bahamas Underwater Test Range.

Homestead – Exercise Rumpuverm. Fg Off Simon Baxter plus 2. Deployment of 120 Sqn

(Nimrods) from UK to Florida.

APRIL

Montijo Funchel – Exercise Open Gate. Sqn Ldr Pete Arnold plus 2. Deployment of elements of

3 Cdo Bde from UK to Madeira.

Nairobi – Exercise Larch Pole. Fg Off Graham Howard plus 5. Recovery of 9 Para REME from

Kenya to UK.

MAY

Brussels – Exercise Mini Mash. Flt Lt Allen. Deployment and recovery of a TA Field Hospital .

Eggebeck – Exercise Bright Horizon/Distant Hammer. FSgt Tony Last plus 5. NATO Sqn

exchange 12 Sqn (Buccaneers) Lossiemouth to Germany and GAF 34 Sqn (F104

Starfighters) Germany to UK.

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JUNE

Caen – Exercise Pro Consul. Wg Cdr Robin Dixon, Fg Off Steve Harpum, FSgt Gordon Black,

Sgt Hugh Curran plus 2. Conveyance of D-Day veterans to and from France for the 40th

Anniversary. (This year will be the 75th)

Pope AFB – Volent Rodeo. FSgt Colin Allen plus 4. Participation in the International Air

transport Meet in USA.

1989 – 30 YEARS AGO...

JANUARY – APRIL SADLY NO USEFUL INFORMATION CAN BE GLEANED FROM THE

540 FOR THIS PERIOD. IF ANY READERS WANT TO SEND ME THEIR OWN TASKS

FROM LOGBOOKS OR DIARIES IT WILL HELP IN THE FUTURE! IB

MAY

Gibraltar – Exercise Open Gate. Deployment of Tornadoes, Buccaneers and Nimrods from UK

to Gibraltar for NATO Maritime exercise.

RAF GIBRALTAR 1989

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Jersey – Special. Cpl John Purkis , SAC Stu Whitton. Collection of a mother and baby orangutan

From Jersey Zoo for onmove to Birmingham.

SPOT THE APE...

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JUNE

Hawaii – Exercise Union Pacific. Delivery of spares and equipment to Royal Navy in support of

largest allied fleet exercise since WW2.

Vaerlose – Exercise Avenue Express. MAMS support to IALCE exercise in Denmark.

1994 – 25 YEARS AGO...

JANUARY

Thumrait – Exercise Magic Carpet. Wg Cdr Williams plus 2. Deployment of 9 & 617 Sqn

(Tornados) from UK to Oman.

Nellis AFB – Exercise Red Flag. Flt Lt Jason Comfort plus 2. Deployment of 13 Sqn (Tornados)

from Honington to USA.

FEBRUARY

Dhahran – Operation Jural. Fg Off State plus 2. Movements support to 12 Sqn (Tornado)

detachment in Saudi Arabia enforcing “No-Fly” operations in Southern Iraq

Sofia – Operation Picadilly. WO Ian Berry & MAMS Eng Cpl. Collection of 122mm Soviet

Artillery piece from Bulgaria donated to JACIG at Scampton. (Photo overleaf)

MARCH

Santiago – FIDAE 94. FSgt Alic Simpson plus 2. Deployment of personnel & equipment of 3

Sqn (Harriers) from Laarbruch to Chile.

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L’Orient – Exercise Spontex. Flt Lt Andy Hulls, FSgt Keith Smith Plus 1. Recovery of 810 RNAS

(SeaKing) from France to Yeovilton.

APRIL

McChord AFB - Exercise Trumpet Dance. Flt Lt Tim Etches plus 5. Recovery of Infantry Battle

Group from USA to UK.

Sola – Exercise Natindas. Flt Lt Andy Gannon plus 2. Deployment of 360 Sqn (Canberras) from

Wyton to Norway.

MAY

Djibouti – Operation Bottleneck. Flt Lt Jacobs plus 5. Evacuation of British & Foreign Nationals

from Sanaa (South Yemen) to Djibouti.

122MM SOVIET FIELD GUN ARRIVES AT SCAMPTON FROM SOFIA

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EXTRACT FROM FOREIGN OFFICE REPORT

BOTTLENECK, SPARTIC and Eritrean NEO (NEO = Non Combatant Evacuation Operations) Fly in, pick up evacuees from airport, fly out · Permissive environment No resistance to NEO in localised area where NEO taking place · Small deployment, light and swift One or two C-130s plus security detail 04 July 2011 © Dstl 04 July 2011 UNCLASSIFIED Dstl is part of the Ministry of Defence Straightforward Ops 1990-2010 cont. · BOTTLENECK (Yemen 1994) 8 days from war to NEO · Americans in and out before RAF put on standby Picked up several, but not all, Brits Lose 1 day due delays in payment for aircraft ­ No one informed Foreign Legion of arrival at Djibouti ­ Scud and air

raids on Sanaa airport · SAM defences shoot-down, including friendly fire Cease-fire confirmed Kept engine running on runway ­ fear of breakdown Yemen Civil War was 70-day conflict, 1500 killed

Cagliari – Exercise Dynamic Impact. Flt Lt Jane Finding plus 5. Recovery of 1Bn Paras from

Sardinia to UK.

JUNE

Port of Spain – Exercise United Mercury. Flt Lt Jim Bridgman plus 2. Deployment of 3Cdo Bde

rom UK to Trinidad.

Machrihanish – Special. Sgt George Quarless plus 2. Deploy salvage team and equipment to

Machrihanish for onmove by ferry to recover the damaged Bae146 of the

Queens Flight on the Isle of Islay after being bent by Prince Charles.

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1999 – 20 YEARS AGO...

JANUARY

Thumrait – Exercise Magic Carpet. Fg Off Huntley, FSgt Steve Walke, Cpl Brown, SACs Walker

& Chris Quirk. Deployment of 6 Sqn (Jaguars) from Coltishall to Oman.

Banja Luka – Operation Palatine. Fg Off Kingston, FSgt Taff Isaac, Sgt Neil Baldock.

Deployment of 2 Para and recovery of 3RHA to and from Bosnia.

FEBRUARY

Glasgow – Exercise Clockwork. Wg Cdr Rod Elliott, Fg Off Huntley, FSgt Yogi Rowland, Sgt Al

Stacey, Cpl Craig Fitches, SACs Matt Rainer, Walker & Rogerson. Deployment of

elements of 3Cdo Bde including Gazelle & Lynx helicopters to Bardufoss.

Gaberone – Exercise Diamond Cutter. Sqn Ldr Green, Flt Lt Crabtree, Cpl Campbell, SACs

Heath & Mansfield. Deployment of 1Bn RGBW (Royal Gloucs, Berks & Wilts) to

Botswana.

MARCH

Brunei – Atap Hurdle. Fg Off Kingston, Sgt “Gonz” Burke, Cpl Steph Morrison, SAC Eade.

Deployment of SBS to Brunei.

Leeming – Operation Agricola. Flt Lt Stoneley, FSgt Tim Pyne, SACs Andy Hartley, Muff

Mufford, Walker & Baker (4624 RAuxAf). Deployment of 657 Sqn AAC (Lynx Mk7) to

Skopje, Macedonia.

APRIL

Pisa – Operation Agricola. FSgt Tony Geerah, Cpl Steph Morrison, SAC Eade. Transfer load

from u/s Herc in Pisa for onmove to Gioia del Colle.

Tirana – Operation Agricola. Fg Off Kane, Cpls Wallace & Hughes, SACs Brunell & Harris.

Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Albania.

MAY

San Diego – Operation Agricola. FSgt Taff Isaacs, Cpl Walker, SACs Rainer & Mufford.

Collection of 4 x TLAMS (Tomahawk Missiles) from USA to Prestwick.

Kuwait – Operation Bolton. Sqn Ldr Green, Flt Lt Stoneley, FSgt Karl Hibbert, SAC Davies &

Goode. Deployment of 12 & 617 Sqn (Tornado) from Lossiemouth to Kuwait.

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JUNE

Tirana – Operation Spooner. Fg Off Kane, FSgt Karl Hibbert, Cpl Craig Fitches. Deployment of

Unit Enquiry and Crash Recovery Team to Alabania as a result of the crash of XV298

at Kukes.

Banur – Exercise Barents Peace. Flt Lt Atkinson, FSgt Tim Pyne, Sgt Cosgrove, SAC Cotterill

(RAuxAf). Recovery of pax and vehicles of 1Bn PWO from Norway to Manchester.

2004 – 15 YEARS AGO...

JANUARY

Al Dhafra – Exercise Desert Thundercat. Flt Lt M Clark, Cpl N Woods, SAC J White.

Deployment of 11(F) Sqn (F3 Tornado) from UK to UAE and recovery of 111Sqn (F3 Tornado) from Azraq in Jordan to Leuchars.

Tellil – Operation Telic. Sgt Mick Cocker, SACs Baker, Eastaugh & Johnston. Recovery of

1ACC from Iraq to UK utilising a C17.

FEBRUARY

Almeira – Exercise Britannia Way. Sgt Whatty Campbell, Cpl Stubbs, SAC Brown. Recovery of

FCoy 1Bn Scots Guards from Spain to UK.

Belize – Exercise Emerald Mercury.Sgt Kev Skinner, SACs Brown & Higgins. Deployment of 30

Sigs Regt from UK to Belize.

KUKES, ALBANIA – WRECKAGE OF XV298 AFTER HITTING A WALL ON

TAKE OFF

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MARCH

Thumrait – Exercise Magic Carpet. FSgt Ken Holmes, Cpl Pickles Plowman, SACs Travers &

Wisdom. Deployment of 3(F)Sqn (Harriers) and TCW from UK to Oman.

Homestead – Exercise Rum Punch. Sgt Nigel Malyon, Cpl Henderson, SAC Johnston.

Deployment of 201 Sqn (Nimrod) from Kinloss to Florida.

APRIL

Santo Domingo – Exercise Trade Winds. FSgt Griffen, Cpl Williams, SAC Redfern. Recovery of

Royal Marines from the Dominican Republic to Prestwick.

Curacao – Exercise Mayan Warrior. Flt Lt Houghton, Cpl McNair, SAC Gilburt. Positioning of

RN Lynx helicopter in Dutch Antilles.

MAY

Pristina – Operation Oculas. Cpl Musson, SACs Brown & Bishop. Deployment of 1Bn Kings

Regt from Teeside (Catterick) to Kosovo.

F3 TORNADO OF 11 SQN RAF LEEMING 2004

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Calgary – Exercise Medman. Flt Lt Clark, Cpls Williams & Smith, SACs Harris, Fitzpatrick &

Warren. Recovery of 1Bn DWRR and 9 Regt AAC from Canada to UK.

JUNE

Kingston – Exercise Red Stripe. Flt Lt Simon Oliver, Cpl Harrison, SACs Fitzpatrick & Bonner.

Recovery of 1Bn Coldstream Guards from Jamaica to UK.

Point Magu – Exercise Market Place Trial. FSgt Ian Rowlands, SACs McLean & Duffy.

Recovery of Tornado OCU Trials equipment from California to UK.

LYNX MK8 HELICOPTER

NAVAL AIR STATION POINT MAGU – EAST OF LOS ANGELES

46

SUPPLEMENT TO DAKAR TASK – JUNE 1974

History of the GARP Atlantic Tropical Experiment The purpose of the GATE experiment was to understand the tropical atmosphere and its role in the global circulation of the atmosphere. It was the first major experiment of the Global Atmos­pheric Research program, whose goal was to understand the predictability of the atmosphere and extend the time range of daily weather forecasts to over two weeks The experiment took place in the summer of 1974 in an experimental area that covered the tropical Atlantic Ocean from Africa to South America. The work was truly international in scope, and involved 40 research ships, 12 research aircraft, numerous buoys from 20 countries all equipped to obtain the observations specified in the scientific plan. The operations were di­rected by the International Project Office located in Senegal. The Project Office staff was se­conded by the nations involved. The Scientific Director was from the United States and the Deputy Scientific Director was from the Soviet Union. An operational plan was developed each day based on the meteorological situation and each ship and aircraft carried out the plan. The data collected were processed by nations participat­ing in accordance with an overall plan and made available without restrictions to all scientists in the world. Research using these data still goes on today, nearly 25 years later, and it is estimat­ed that over a thousand papers have been published based on the data collected during this short period in 1974. The experiment involved the world's best scientists, all types of engineers, technicians, pilots, ship captains, logistics specialists, computer specialists, as well as senior policy makers from science agencies and foreign ministries in a large number of countries. A high percentage of the individuals involved are still active and could contribute their views.

Canadian and American research ships in the harbor of Dakar before the

third phase of GATE. From left to right: Canada's "Quadra," NASA's

"Vanguard," the U.S. Coast Guard's "Dallas" (with tethered balloon), and

NOAA's "Oceanographer." (Photo courtesy of J. Kuettner.)

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RAF Lulsgate Bottom.

Know known as

Bristol International Airport.

I might have mentioned that I used to visit Bristol Airport on a daily basis, for nearly

30 years.

So I was wondering if you would like to hear a story of the very beginnings of flying at what was originally called, RAF Broadfield Down, later renamed RAF Lulsgate Bottom.

Flying started here before the Wimpy bulldozers had finished laying down the 3900 foot, (1200 metres) main runway. Which with all the buildings cost £309,000 in 1941?

Work started on the laying down of the runway on the 11th of June of that year.

The completed airfield was declared operational on the 15th of January 1942.

‘But,’…At 0620 hrs. On the 24th July 1941, the wartime civilian construction workers had just started work and at this time of year it was light, although quite misty. When out of the blue, to their astonishment an aircraft landed on the unfinished runway coming to a stop near to where they were.

One of the construction gang recognised that it wasn’t an RAF plane, but a German one! He quickly realised that he had better do something and drove his tractor in front

of the now stationary twin engined bomber. Shouting to his mates. “Call out the Home Guard.?” Or words to that effect.

In actual fact, the airplane was a Luftwaffe JU88 A4 of 3/KG 30.

23/24 July 1941; The aircraft took off from Poulmic airfield France at 23:35 to bomb the docks at Birkenhead. On the return, they were misled by the Meacon transmitter at Lympsham, Somerset, and low on fuel, the pilot saw what he thought was an airfield in France and landed intact at RAF Broadfield Down (Which was in the process of being built ) later renamed RAF Lulsgate Bottom, Wrington, Somerset at 06:20 hours.

The 4-aircrew got out of the plane and the pilot asked the startled Emerald Isle worker, in French. “What part of France is this?” As he did not understand the somewhat strong Giodelic accented reply he realised that something was amiss,

and drew his pistol and made haste back towards the airplane, shouting instructions to his crew…. Well, they didn’t get very far as they were hemmed by the tractor.

Shortly after the Home Guard soldiers arrived and after a lot of shouting and waving of (Possibly Bullet-less) rifles, they persuaded the invaders to surrender.

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These German chaps had been on a bombing mission to Birkenhead docks and had become disorientated due to the RAF radiating electronic countermeasures on the

Homing beacon at Brest…They were also low on fuel; they had mistaken the Welsh coast for Cornwall, and having crossed the Bristol Channel, which they thought was the English Channel;

They landed on the first, of what they thought was an airfield in France that they could find.

Their aircraft was indeed a prize. This captured airplane was first flown to RAE at

Farnborough for evaluation. Then onto RAF Collywestern to join 1426 Enemy Aircraft Flight known as ‘RAFWAFFE.’ The aircraft was painted in RAF colours, given the registration of EE205 and joined the many other captured German aircraft and used in a variety of purposes.

The German aircrew under interrogation were not very communicative, although admitting to their navigational errors, and were eventually dispatched to one of the POW camps to sit out the war.

The flight details are:------23/24.07.1941: Target Birkenhead:

Squadron I/KG 30.Ju 88A-5, Wnr.3457, 4D+DL of 3/KG 30.Crew details.

Uffz. Wolfgang Hosie (F) POW

Fw. Paul Zimmermann (B) POW

Ogefr. Franz Sander (Bf) POW

Ogefr. Robert Riemann (Bs) POW

This is the actual aircraft that was captured

JU88’s - First flown 1939….Circa 15000 built in various configurations.

Typical bomb load 900Kgs (2000 lbs).. Range 2430 Km.

Last ju88 flown by French Air Force in 1951.

Gerry Davis

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Those were the days!

I came across my service issue “Housewife” the other day, and it sent me thinking about the kit that was

Issued to all those of us, who years ago, took the shilling and signed on in the Royal Air Force.

I bet some of the items have long since been superseded

by more modern pieces of kit.

Let’s see if some of the items that were issued to us Sprogs in the 1950’s muster up some of those ageing brain cells, of those of us who are Old Boys!

I well remember having to lug around my kit bag, the usual carrying position being over the shoulder.

All the kit not being worn was, ‘Neatly’ packed inside.

Remember the ‘D’ ring that went through the reinforced holes at the top, which if you could afford one, could be Secured with a padlock.

Then there was the Hob Nailed Boots, Blimey, those studs used to make a noise when marching on the parade ground. Of course there were hours being spent polishing them, initially using the handle end of a spoon or fork to rub down the leather indentations to a smooth finish. The ultimate aim was to be able to see ones face in them by continually polishing. If you

were unlucky you would probably see the drill instructors face in them!

I was a good lad and never went on a Jankers parade; well, I made sure I never got found out, although I had some lucky escapes.

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Those not so lucky had to parade in full kit for detailed inspections; it was useful if you managed to turn up looking smart.

Even if you did manage to look smart there were those NCO’s who could find dust on a Fleas genitalia.

If you look closely at the two buttons below you may notice that they are slightly different, in that the left one has a ‘Kings’ Crown and the right one has a ‘Queens’ Crown.

This also applied to the cap badges. I remember when anodized buttons first came in, we had to buy them. What I mean is we had to save up some of the few bob that we were paid to be able to do this; only thing was if they got scratched, you were made to buy new ones.

Kings Crown Queens Crown

Now in those early days lots of the kit was issued as seconds, my set of six brushes were stamped with another airman’s service number, my webbing was second hand

and my cap badges, some of the kit bags were seconds, incidentally I have still got all of my brushes and they are still in use, about once a year, when I endeavour to clean my shoes.

Should I mention the shirts and collars, blimey, who could forget the 3 shirts, (incidentally without pockets) and the 6 separate collars that were issued? The studs to hold the collars in place both at back and front, personally left me with bruises on my neck and throat. There were those Airmen, who may have forgotten to send their laundry in for ‘Dhobi-ing’ would, sometimes just change the collar, or if they hadn’t got a clean one turn one inside out.

Again I well remember when attached collar shirts came into being; we had to buy those as well.

At first I was issued with two serge uniforms, Later I managed to get hold of a T 63,

Nice and smooth patent best blue. Also out of the £11 annual clothing allowance I bought a No2 working dress; or as it was more commonly known as a Battle Dress uniform. It had Black Buttons on the breast pockets.

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“This is what I looked like in my Battledress!”

This was just before the SWO

Caught me and told me to get a Bloody Hair Cut!

(Memo to myself I must get these glasses changed)

Notice the Black Buttons?

Just in case some of you are wondering what this is?

It’s a button stick! This one

being Brass, some were made of Brown Bakelite. I never did find out what all the side cut-outs were for.

I don’t think that I will bother to mention the ‘Draws Cellular’ or even the ‘Striped Pyjamas,’ cos it conjures up images of Concentration camps.

For most of my remaining years in Blue I wore the cold Wet weather gear, which incidentally wasn ’t blue but green. With great big boots and the sea-boot socks that would pull up beyond the knees.

I wonder what all the kit issued to today’s lads and lasses looks like?

Ah, the memories.

Gerry

Gerry Davis

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RAFMAMS Association Tie

The RAFMAMS Association Tie is now on sale, they are in the style of the "Swift to Move " previous Logos and their cost plus postage as follows: UK £12.85 Eur £13.55 ROW £14.55 Can be obtained through BACs to UKMAMS Association, Sort Code 20-84-58, Acct No 90981370 Then email ties@ukmams.co.uk with your address for delivery of the ties Please allow up to 28 days for delivery