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The Official Magazine of the UKMAMS Association Electronic Issue No. 7

Christmas is supposed to be a hayear two old movers will no longecredited with christening UKMAMSMobile Flight. Henry was an exceshift 100%. He was a respected anwhen I joined NEAF MAMS in OcRAF Masirah in 1972 and often jothe Sultan of Oman’s roulements. I remember one particular trip whecan imagine the state of us; we Show. Both Henry and Dave will btheir family and friends.

I have recently been advised of passed away on 6th September 20Thorney Island, Abingdon and LynYorkshire village. On behalf of thesympathies.

Terry Roberts has retired as our Wand I am hopeful that I will havegrateful if members could contact mvolunteered his services as Deputyof Area next year. We also have aMobile Air Movements Squadron. Ibeneficial to the Association.

Our recent Meet and Greet at thesee a couple of new faces; Taffcurrently working for Nationwide inwas dined out at the annual Moveanother huge success and I am pcontinue at RAF Brize Norton. Pplease have a look.

20th Anniversary Reunion – SatuTop Table Ladies Guest night wil2011. The cost will be £45 per heby coffee. Dress will be Jacket anlimited and tickets are available payable to The UKMAMS AssocJADTEU, RAF Brize Norton, OXOdetails on the full programme of ev

Seasons Greetings – A Merry CUKMAMS Association Manageme

Chairma

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happy time, spent with family and friends. ger be with us; Henry Downes and Dave CMS as ‘The Muppets’ a name that becamceptionally partisan Shift Co-ord who prote and knowledgeable SNCO. I first met DaveOctober 1970. We were reacquainted whe joined the NEAF MAMS Teams on our ms. Dave had a huge appetite for work and chen the load consisted of sacks of flour ae all looked like something out of the Blaill be sadly missed and I extend the Assoc

another sad loss. Gordon Townsend’s w 2010 in Toulouse, France. Many of you wLyneham. Her body was repatriated and bthe Association I wish to retrospectively off

r Welfare Secretary however we may havve a positive reply after Christmas. In thect me with any welfare news and any updatuty Treasurer and will provide cover whilst a new Wing Liaison Officer; Flt Lt Jack Ho

n. I welcome Jack and am confident that his

he RAFA Club Swindon was again well attaff Brimble and Ray Wallace. Taff lives e in Swindon and stays in Digs during the vements WOs and SNCOs Top Table at Ly pleased to report that from 2011the Mov

Photographs from this year have been p

aturday 21 st May 2011. To celebrate will be held in the WO & Sgt’s Mess RAFhead and will include a 3 course meal withand Tie, 1930 for 2000 hrs with carriages le on a first come first served basis. Cheociation and forwarded to Flt Lt GeerahON OX18 3LX along with your vehicle an

events planned for the reunion weekend w

Christm as and a Happy New Year. ent Committee, I wish all members a very

n’s Notes

s. It saddens me that this e Cromb. Henry has been me synonymous with the

otected and supported his ave Cromb at RAF Akrotiri hen Dave was posted to

many trips up-country on d could move a mountain. r and sacks of dates. You Black and White Minstrel ociation’s condolences to

’s wife of 44 years, Judy, will remember Judy from buried in her native East

offer Gordon our deepest

ave found a replacement the meantime I would be ates. FS Tim Ketcher has

lst Steve Beaumont is Out Holt who is OC ‘B’ Flt, 44 his appointment will prove

attended and it was great s in South Wales but is e week. WO Al Salisbury Lyneham. The event was ovements Top Table will

n posted on our website,

te our 20th Anniversary a AF Lyneham on 21st May ith wine and port followed s at 0100 hrs. Places are heques should be made

ah, AP 19 Trials Officer, and guest details. Further will be published shortly.

On behalf of the ry Merry Christmas and a

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healthy and prosperous New Year. Can I also take this opportunity to thank all members for the support they have given to the Association over the past year. Finally make sure that you have a restful and relaxing festive interlude and I look forward to seeing many of you fighting fit at our reunion in May.

Colin

Christmas Greetings from members around the World Hello Old Friends , I know I have been quiet for a good many years but would like this opportunity to say, condolences to all those we have lost over the years and a Festive greetings to all the movers who are still chocking it hard. For anyone who can remember me its Steve "Chalky" Canoville who was once a member of an elite clan...thinking of you always Best Regards Chalky Dear All Pat and I wish all UK MAMS members, past and present, and any Mover anywhere, a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year. Its amazing to think it is some 20+ years since we we left Lyneham, but memories are still vivid. Have now reluctantly slipped into retirement (reluctance lasted about 2 days, Saturday & Sunday) and take pleasure in watching the traffic queues of all those lucky people who HAVE to go to work while I am going the opposite way to the fishing lakes. How will I cope? Best regards to all, Tony Last Hello Colin, Regret I will not be able to attend the Xmas Drinks. Please pass on my best wishes for the Festive Season and 2011. H (H Firth)

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Dear Colin, thanks for the invitation for Xmas Drinks on the 8th sadly however I have a carol concert at the Newbury British Legion that evening I am the Chaplain of Newbury RBL, therefore I am sorry but I will not be at the RAFA in Swindon. Please extend my Best Wishes for Christmas to all Members of the Association. Best wishes Keri Eynon Dear Colin I trust you are keeping well. Wishing all Association Members an enjoyable Xmas and prosperous forthcoming New Year. Paul (Stretch) Weir Feliz Navidad & Feliz Ano Nuevo To all movers old and new we wish you a very Merry Christmas and very Happy and Prosperous

Guid New Year from Bruce and Shirley Oram on the Costa Blanca

Hello Mick, Just a quick email to wish all movers and ex movers a smashing Christmas and a Happy New Year, from deepest darkest Cornwall!! Gazza Farndale

Hi Colin, I wish you and all Association members a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Best Wishes, Andy Holliday

Mick Please pass on my Christmas Greetings to all ex MAMS members and also to serving members wishing them all a Happy Christmas and a Safe & Prosperous New Year for 2011. Best Wishes Peter Clayton UKMAMS 1975-78

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Membership

By Steve Beaumont

How do you get from walking your dog to meeting an ex mover of the 60s and 70s era? Well this is how. I was out walking my dog along the renovated Kennet and Avon Canal where many others also walk their dogs. Just like many ‘movers’ my dog is young, inexperienced and a little over confident when meeting other dogs. Having extracted her from a cocker spaniel and continued on our walk she suddenly thought ‘game on’ and started to leg it back the way we had come. Being the responsible owner that I consider myself and not wanting to let my dog create any more havoc with the cocker spaniel I stuck out my arm to stop her. Well, she is 22 kgs of solid mongrel and having nearly stopped her suddenly felt lots of pain up my arm. This went on for a few minutes after which it dissipated and felt as though I had pulled a muscle in my upper arm. Having retrieved the little git of a dog I returned home mindful that I could not lift anything. On removing my fleece it was clearly apparent that I had damaged my upper arm which was a very different shape to the other. Monday morning report sick to the Med Centre who are somewhat interested as not many of them have seen a ruptured bicep. To play safe and get the best course of action I was sent off to the famous John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. They have obviously seen many of these injuries and were not that impressed and sent me back with a chit for Physio rather than an operation much to my relief as I am off to sunny Bastion in Apr 11. What’s this got to do with a mover of the 60s and 70s I hear you ask? Well with the cut backs I was left waiting for return transport for about 2 ½ hours. This was spent in the League of Friends Cafe who I must say do a very good Tuna mayo roll for lunch. It was after a little while that an elderly gentleman who was clearing the tables started to talk to me about life in the RAF ( I was in uniform which is why he knew I was serving) and when I finally asked him what trade he was he stated ‘mover’ and ‘supplier’. What a surprise it was to him on discovering I was a ‘mover’. Obviously it was of great interest to both of as he regaled his stories of life as a mover before returning to supply and some of the characters and places he had served. His name was Micky Gleeson and from the get together on the 8 Dec 10 some of you remember him. He also asked if I could let you know that Sammy Southern is still alive and kicking. Naturally I have encouraged them both to join the association. It’s a small world!

As at the 8 Dec we have a total of 466 members. The following new members have joined since the last edition of team brief: Eddy Hope currently residing in Cumbria, Dave McGregor currently in Southport, Ray Wallace still in Swindon, Mick Brummell living in Truro, Dave Bartlett still living on Carterton, Tony Saw who is looking after his dogs and pottering about the house in Lincolnshire , Mick (Jock) Rowan still in Swindon, John Calver living in Gloucestershire and Pauline Andrews has reaffirmed her membership. Welcome to you all.

Next year I am off on my jollies to a very hot and sandy place and am looking for a willing volunteer to look after the Membership Database whilst I am away. If any of you would like to volunteer for this not particularly onerous task, please let me or Colin know.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2011.

Steve

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From the 540 By Ian Berry

1971 – 40 YEARS AGO…

JANUARY

South Caicos Island – Exercise Shalstone. Flt Lt Bill Wellman plus 5. Deployment of 3 Fd Sqn

RE to Bahamas.

St Mawgan – Special. Fg Off Paul Steiner, FS Ken Browne, Sgt Rocky Knowles, Cpl Sandy

Sandiford, JT Gordon Gourdie plus 1. Deployment of personnel and freight of

42 Sqn (Nimrods) to Gibraltar.

FEBRUARY

Andros – Exercise Lawsuit/Fettle. Fg Off Glen Morton, FS Dave Eggleton, Sgt John Bell, Cpl

Syd Avery, JT Ted Moore , SAC Jimmy Barr. Recovery of personnel and freight of

72 Sqn (Wessex) from Bahamas to Odiham.

Fairford – Special. FS Tony Barrell, Cpl Norman Poole, SACs Jim Marchant & Alan Pratt plus

MAMS Eng. Dismantling, packing and recovery of BFLP after closure of Air

Movements Squadron.

MARCH

Celle – Special. Cpl Jimmy Jones plus 1. Demonstration of Belfast aircraft and role equipment

including the securing of 463L system pallets and Airportable Fuel Containers (APFC)

to German Air Force.

Wittering – Exercise Spadefoot. Flt Lt Taylor, Fg Off Green plus 8. Deployment of personnel

and equipment of 1 Sqn (Harriers) to Milltown in Scotland.

1976 – 35 YEARS AGO…

JANUARY

Souda Bay – Special. Flt Lt Gerry Babbington plus 5. Deployment of Royal Navy Trials Unit

from Yeovilton to Crete.

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Wyton – Special. Flt Lt Gordon Townsend plus 4. Deployment of personnel and equipment of

39 Sqn (Canberras) to Oerland in Norway.

FEBRUARY

Halfar – Exercise Troutcall. Wg Cdr John Lambert plus 5. Rotation of fighter squadrons in

Malta during Armament Practice Camp.

Belize – Special. Fg Off Peter Burch plus 2. Rotation of Puma Helicopters in Belize.

MARCH

Tirstrup – Exercise Bold Guard. Flt Lt Len Henry, Fg Off Kay plus 10. Recovery of personnel

and equipment of 6 & 54 Sqns (Jaguars) from Denmark to Coltishall.

Benbecula – Special. Sgt Dave Wilkin plus 2. Offload of Rapier Launch Equipment for RA

Ranges in the Outer Hebrides.

1981 – 30 YEARS AGO…

JANUARY

Bomoen, Vaernes, Oslo – Norwegian Winter Exercise. FS Ian Berry, Sgt Tony Dunphy, FS Ian Thomson on 3 month Detachment in support of AMF and 3 Cdo Bde.

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Simon Bolivar – Special. Wg Cdr Swaithes plus 2. Deployment of elements of the Army Trials

and Development Unit Bovingdon to Ecuador.

Coningsby – Exercise Ferryboat. FS Dave Wright plus 5. Deployment of personnel and freight

of 29 Sqn (Phantoms) to Gibraltar.

FEBRUARY

Tromso – Exercise Catherine Wheel. Fg Off Alan Brown plus 5. Deployment of 1 Sqn

(Harriers) to Norway.

Amman – Special. Flt Lt Peter King plus 2. Deployment and Recovery of Army Sales Team to

Jordan.

MARCH

Nellis – Exercise Red Flag. Fg Off Neil Cromarty plus 5. Recovery of Vulcan Support

equipment from Nellis to UK.

Bardufoss – Exercise Cold Winter. Flt Lt Sean Culligan plus 8. Recovery of Jaguar Sqn

personnel and equipment from Norway to Coltishall.

1986 – 25 YEARS AGO…

JANUARY

Djibouti – Operation Balsac. Fg Off Phillips plus 2. Repatriation of personnel from Djoubiti to

UK after rescue from Aden by the Royal Yacht and RFA Brambleleaf.

Istres – Special. Sgt Gerry Muffett plus 2. Recovery of support personnel and Spey engine

from France to Lossiemouth.

FEBRUARY

McChord AFB – Exercise Trumpet Dance. Fg Off Hill plus 3. Deployment of Welsh Fusiliers

from UK to Seattle.

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Francistown – Exercise Buzzard’s Leap. Fg Off Mackay plus 3. Deployment of elements of

UKLF to Botswana.

MARCH

New Orleans – Special. WO Al Thomas (Sqn Adj) plus 3. Recovery of MODPE Freight to UK

from USA.

McChord AFB – Exercise Trumpet Dance. Fg Off Jones plus 4. Deployment of 3Bn Para Regt

and recovery of Royal Welsh Fusiliers from Seattle to UK.

1991 – 20 YEARS AGO…

JANUARY

The major post-Christmas roulement was well under way by 10 January. However, at this time, in preparation for 15 January, all movement of in-theatre MAMS personnel was stopped. Throughout the month all detachments except for Seeb were reinforced, and two Forward Operating Bases were opened. In addition the Minhad operation moved to Dubai International Airport on 26 January. UKMAMS were also tasked to work at Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and East Midlands Airports, with up to eleven MAMS on these tasks at any one time working to clear the backlog of Gulf freight in the UK. However, by the end of the month only the Stansted operation remained. More Contingency personnel and drafters were moved from Base Movements onto Mobile at various stages during the month, and we were joined by ten RAuxAF personnel from 4624 Sqn on 28 January following the squadron’s activation a few days earlier.

FEBRUARY

As the war continued the Mobile workload remained very light in the Gulf and also on other tasking. The ban on roulement remained in force, and control of in-theatre movements of MAMS personnel was still held by JFMS in HQBFME. Following the start of the land campaign, however, a 4-man team was tasked to a new FOB known as LZ04. This FOB was north of the original FOB, Qaysumah,

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and was run in support of the British 1st Armoured Division from 23-28 Feb. In addition a 6 man team, led by Flt Lt Sharpe, was tasked into Kuwait City on 28 Feb. on the first C130 to arrive there after the cessation of hostilities.

MARCH

Following the ceasefire, tasking in the Gulf increased considerably as the job began of returning all the men and equipment to home bases. This month saw the closure of the MAMS Detachments at LZ04 and Kuwait International Airport, and the opening and subsequent closing of two more natural surface FOBs (known as LZ05 and LZ06) within the Kuwait region. MAMS roulement was re-established although in-theatre movements control of MAMS personnel still rested with HQBFME.

1996 – 15 YEARS AGO…

JANUARY

Fagernes – Winter Deployment. Sgt Martin Hughes plus 3. Deployment of HQRM to Southern

Norway

Tromso - Exercise Clockwork. WO Ian Berry, Sgt Martyn Southall, Sgt Scouse Leman plus 2.

Deployment of SBS LRIC (Long Range Insertion Craft) to Norway.

FEBRUARY

Alesund – Exercise Quadruped. Sgt Derek Grayson plus 3. Recovery of personnel and

equipment of 7 Sqn (Chinook) from Norway to Odiham.

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Gioia del Colle – Operation Decisive Edge. FS Tony Feast plus 1. Rotation of Sidewinder and

Sparrow missiles between Italy and Marham.

MARCH

Dubai – Armilla Rotation. Flt Lt Jane Finding plus 2. Recovery of crew from HMS Brilliant on

ships rotation.

Sarajevo – Operation Resolute. Cpl Steve (Dinger) Bell plus 2. Resupply of UKLF Forces in

Bosnia.

2001 – 10 YEARS AGO…

JANUARY

Freetown – Operation Silkman. Flt Lt Clulo, Sgt “Gonz” Burke, Cpl Catchpole, SAC Higgins.

Deployment of Field Hospital to Sierra Leone.

Thessaloniki – Operation Agricola. Flt Lt Knight, FS Tim Pyne, Cpl Paul Crake, SAC grant.

Deployment of 3 Tank Transporter Sqn to Greece for onmove to Kosovo.

FEBRUARY

Hill AFB/North Island – Exercise Torpedo Focus. FS John Purkis, Cpls Booth, Nixon and

Heath (MSF). Deployment of 1 Sqn (Harriers) to Hill AFB and

recovery of 1 PTS from San Diego.

Thumrait – Exercise Magic Carpet. Fg Off Tribble, Sgt Dave Clancy, SAC Higgins.

Redeployment of 25 Sqn (F3 Tornado) from Oman to Akrotiri.

MARCH

Banak – Exercise Quadruped. Flt Lt Symons, FS Bob Simmons, Sgt Gary Pym, Cpls Booth &

Bell, SAC Stubbs. Recovery of 2 Lynx helicopters from Norway to Odiham.

Skopje – Operation Agricola. Sgt Alec Ross, Cpl Brown, SACs Fitzpatrick & Sansome.

Recovery of 45 Cdo from Macedonia.

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Further to the article on the disbandment of LXX Sq uadron in the October supplement

Excellent info in this brief. However, I spotted one item where I may be able to help. In reference to 70 Sqn and its history, you may be able to use the attached photo of a 70 Sqn Victoria Transport ac (I believe), taken at Mosul in Iraq in 1929. My father was part of one of the RAF Route Marking teams trailing plough marks over the desert on the routes used by the RAF to facilitate navigation. I understand that this ac had come out to them somewhere to deliver fuel and rations; my father returned on this ac to Mosul, with one of the supporting Crosley Armoured Car engines, for which he needed workshop facilities to repair. He took the photo with his Brownie box camera. Purely for interest, I also attach some of his photos of the route marking convoys in the bundu. Use any you wish if you wish. In fact to complete this story, he returned with the repaired engine the next day, with the Victoria, stopping off en route to deliver some kit to one of the front line Sqns who had just completed a series of Ops. His photo of that is also attached. Ron Meredith

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Iraq 1929

PAMD MCCARRAN QUARTERLY REPORT – JUL TO SEP 2010

The second quarter of 2010 ended with the cliffhanging situation of the Ex CROWN PINNACLE VC10 breaking down at Victorville Southern California Logistics base, so where better to start off the third quarter! Sgt Shaun Anderson worked tirelessly with the crew to ensure that the correct spares were dispatched in the quickest time possible directly to McCarran. He then raced across the desert, collected the spares as soon as they arrived, and set back off to the stricken ac to save the day and prevent the crew having to wait an additional 24hr if they were sent via commercial means. Shaun received a well deserved laudatory Route Stage report for his actions.

Whilst all this was going on Flt Lt Steve Jones was on 2 weeks leave touring California, yet managing to avoid Victorville throughout! Shaun was therefore left to assist with the deployment and recovery of Ex QUICKGLASS from El Centro, the deployment of the SERE Desert Survival course at Caliente, and Ex CRIMSON EAGLE’s recovery from Davis Monthan. Ex RED FLAG ALASKA were forced to deploy to Anchorage-Ted Stevens Airport due to the closure of Elmendorf AFB following the unfortunate loss of a USAF C17 during test flights prior to the air show that weekend. The month ended with Sgt Anderson covering a C17 on a global task which deployed Ex EMPIRE CHALLENGE, TRIAL PONTIFF-ZINNIA and collected a Reaper MQ9 from Edwards AFB to be delivered directly to theatre.

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August saw a sudden drop in tasking in the AOR which gave the Det the opportunity to catch up on some much needed administration prior to the departure of Sgt Anderson. The McCarran SOP’s were reviewed, Airfield Recce Reports updated, and all outstanding tasks were finally completed including building the last of the office furniture. Sgt Anderson took the opportunity to take 2 weeks leave with his family in the UK, moved out of his house, and prepared his handover notes for Oct. The last half of the month was taken up with the chartered recovery of Ex CRIMSON EAGLE out of Davis Monthan and another short notice FMS of a Reaper MQ9 out of Edwards AFB. During the FMS a number of issues were experienced with both the freight and the paperwork, all of which was exacerbated when the civilian driver towing the Reaper reversed the container into 2 parked cars. All of the issues identified have been passed back to SO2 Log Ops/Plans and the UAV IPT with McCarran’s suggestions.

September saw the sad departure of Sgt Shaun Anderson who is posted onto 44MAMS, but see’s the triumphant arrival of the legend that is Sgt Geoff Williams from SF Det Hereford. Geoff arrives with his wife, Jules, and 2 children, Anthony and Nicole, leaving their 2 older daughters back in the UK. This month’s RLF included a meeting with Col Maness, the new CO in charge of the 377th at Kirtland AFB. The meeting was of great benefit to all who attended but did not result in the signing of the long awaited base support plan which will agree future support to the RLF. Ex HIGHRIDER finally deployed to China Lake NAWS after a series of delays for numerous reasons including the need for a modification to the seats following a fatal crash of a Eurofighter in Spain, and the trail having to maneuver around the poor weather on the east coast brought about by hurricane’s Julia and Igor.

Flt Lt Jones with RR3664 following the deployment of Ex RED FLAG ALASKA to

Anchorage -Ted Stevens – 30 Jul 10

Personnel of South Cerney preparing Ex CRIMSON EAGLE freight for on-load to

BA2589 – 15 Aug 10

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September ended with yet another last minute change to a C17 that was supposed to go into servicing at Lackland AFB. When the servicing of the C17 was suddenly cancelled the ac was instead used to deploy pax and freight of Ex ACE, and an ECM Mastiff and ancillaries on Op SABRE to China Lake NAWS. After consultation with FS Pardoe in Dulles the remaining route for the C17 was again changed so that a pallet of priority freight could be picked up at Nellis AFB before moving onto Keflavik to assist in a USAF freight move to Lakenheath. Unfortunately, due to an issue with the ALAN Nellis AFB refused the ac entry onto the base so alternate handling was arranged at McCarran Airport. Sgt Williams arranged the road move of the priority freight from Nellis to McCarran and the pallet was successfully loaded the following day.

Finally, Flt Lt Steve Jones competed in an Olympic and Half Ironman distance triathlons on 11 and 26 Sep 10 finishing 13th and 18th overall respectively (too many Californians taking it far too seriously!). In summary, there were 19 tasks moving 238 passengers and 66,621kgs of freight through the AOR.

RAF MOVEMENTS UNIT DULLES QUARTERLY REPORT JUL - SE P 2010 The month of Jul started with one of the US's largest holidays, 4th of July. Flt Lt Rogers took being English very seriously during this weekend break and sported his best Union Flag Speedos whilst spending the day on a friend's boat on the Potomac River. This certainly caused something of a stir with the locals, but more disappointment as there were no Stars and Stripes swimming apparel in sight. July was the month that all the unit personnel were looking forward to but not looking forward to at the same time; it meant the end of Ex AURIGA. AURIGA had caused a great deal of work for the unit and

The new DRAFLO McCarran, Sgt Geoff Williams, after handling RR6851 without a

black strip across his eyes! - 30 Sep 10

RR9344 of Ex HIGHRIDER at McCarran Airport en-route to China Lake NAWS during

the trail of 2 Typhoons – 25 Sep 10

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culminated with 1691 passengers being moved throughout the month, which was something of a record for Dulles. Sgt Howarth was the man on the ground in Westover, when a set of aircraft servicing steps were blown across the pan during the night and found imbedded in the wing of the VC10 in the morning. This did not help Howarth's mood, as the trail was, typically, not going to plan as it was. To maintain his sanity, Sgt Howarth had chance to return to the UK for 2 weeks with his family but due to his own admittance, this wasn't for a break from the US, but because it was cheaper to have his kids in the UK for the summer. FS Pardoe was also deployed to aid the AURIGA recovery and found himself in Jacksonville supporting 3 large charter pax moves. To help him out, AMW supplied a team of movers, but on their arrival none of their baggage was there to meet them. This left Pardoe with very few decisions; risk no movements support for 3 large pax charters, not a good idea, or go to Walmart and spend $197 to kit out the 4 guys. The second option seemed the most reasonable and before he knew it, Pardoe had a reenactment of the Village People on his hands, complete with cargo pants, new boots and shiny new florescent vests over their white t-shirts. With August looking a little quieter than previous months, we thought it safe to send Sgt Howarth on task without the risk of him witnessing another VC10 wing/servicing steps modification. However, he had a little of his own bad luck. Whilst back in Jacksonville on task, Howarth stepped out of his hire car to get his bag from the boot, unfortunately when he shut the boot, all of the door locks on the car locked. This left Howarth staring in disbelief at his locked hire car, engine running, and the inbound jets only moments away. Fortunately he had his mobile phone in his pocket, which he used before the brick he had in his right hand and rang the rental company for the door code, before sending the brick through the passenger window. Everybody was happy, particularly the unit budget. FS Pardoe had the very stressful job of emptying out his house and returning his family to the UK, in time for his 2 daughters to start at their new schools. Pardoe, as always, put on a magnificent BBQ which was attended by all the Unit staff and a number of people from the Embassy; certainly one party that will not be forgotten in a while. Luckily the TLAM move that had been planned for that weekend was delayed 24 hours out of Brize Norton, allowing Sgt Howarth to attend the BBQ with his family, but leaving him with a very early drive to Norfolk NAS to build TLAM pallets the following morning. Sep first appeared to be a very quiet month, according to the AAC, but suddenly picked up with a number of last minute tasks. Due to this, Sgt Hawkens was seconded as RAFLO reforce for a period, to help with the ALBERTA FOCUS trail and act as the C17 supervisor for a C17 leaving servicing in Lackland AFB. Hawkens turned out to be quite the character and certainly helped with the motivation for the 10 drive from Westover ARB base to Dulles, which occurred sometime

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during the night after the aircraft had left. FS Campbell, FS Dulles Ops Des, funded himself and his wife for a short recce visit to the Dulles area to look at houses and the local amenities. A number of social events were held over this time and both Campbells are thoroughly looking forward to starting their 3 years in the US. The Dulles team also met Sgt Williams and family as they transited through Washington DC en route to Las Vegas. Williams spent the obligatory weekend in Washington for Embassy briefs etc and sometime at Sgt Howarth's house for dinner and social before flying across the US. Finally, Flt Lt Rogers spent a week in LA, trying out for a shooting competition to be held during Oct and Nov 10. This was quite a disjointed quarter with Jul being very busy, Aug being very quiet and finishing with a deceptively busy Sep.

A Passenger’s Story

TO CANADA AND BACK WITH RAF TRANSPORT COMMAND

“An Alternative View”

Notwithstanding my membership of, and full-time employment by, the Royal British Legion, I am also an active member of the Territorial Army. My Unit, the Joint Service Signal Unit Volunteers (JSSU)[V] based at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire recently participated in a NATO exercise in Canada. I, together with 8 other JSSU members and 25 regular service personnel from 14 Signal Regiment (EW) (14SR), based in Wales, were scheduled to fly to Kingston, Ontario via Newfoundland on June 1st on a Hercules C130 of RAF Transport Command.

DAY ONE (WEDNESDAY)

I was to be given a lift to our departure airfield, RAF Lyneham, by another Unit member. I should have realised when he arrived at 5am instead of the previously agreed 6:30am that the overall trip was to be eventful! We arrived at Lyneham at about 8:00am, checked in our hold luggage and discovered that our flight was delayed for 3 hours until 3:00pm. Those of you who are familiar with RAF Lyneham will appreciate that the “leisure facilities” in the departure lounge make a 7-hour wait somewhat daunting. There were, however, two “incidents” which relieved the boredom: at about 11:00am we met our fellow flight passengers when the 14SR members arrived – real soldiers! We were then informed by a RAF Movements Cpl that there was food available in the Mess. Not up-to-date with RAF speakeasy, we all trooped off to the Sgts Mess only to discover that Mess in RAF terms is the All Ranks restaurant; suffice to say that we had a liquid lunch!

At 2:15pm we were bussed across the apron to the waiting Herc. The loadmaster took us through the emergency drills, issued foam-type ear plugs (“it gets quite noisy once all four propellers are rotating..”) and ushered us on board. To air passengers familiar with civil airlines and the annual trip to Spain or even the West Indies, the inside of a Hercules C130 is summat else! There are no

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seats other than reinforced canvas “buckets”. The “toilets” comprise a contraption containing chemicals surrounded by what can best be described as a reinforced shower curtain – my heart goes out to those, returning from the tropics, having consumed fresh fruit and being somewhat “loose”. The “air-conditioning” unit works fairly efficiently in that the temperature is permanently at about 500 degrees! One needs a First Class Honours Degree in dexterity to secure the seat belts.

We took off at exactly 3:00pm; things are looking up, thinks I. At about 3:30pm the loadmaster, flying at about 40,000 feet ABOVE the Herc, declares that one of the engines is on fire and we are returning to RAF Lyneham. We all refastened our seat belts and commiserated with all those who would miss out on Dublin Bay prawns for the next month as we jettisoned our fuel and headed back to Blighty. We were kept in the departure lounge, I use the word “lounge” advisedly , and waited for news; it eventually came in the form of a RAF Warrant Officer (we must be important) who said that it would take at least 6 hours to mend “the broken engine”. We should report back to Lyneham at 8:00am for a morning departure and we were to be accommodated at South Cerney barracks overnight. South Cerney!! In the past I have knelt at the foot of my bed and prayed that I never have to return to South Cerney: indeed on the only previous occasion that I have had the misfortune to stay there with the Unit, one of our members, much more affluent than the rest of us, decided he could not face the 50-man rooms with bunk beds and shared male/female ablutions and booked into a local hotel! However, this time there was no getting away from it – South Cerney it was. We arrived at about 6:00pm, queued for about 40 minutes to have a shower and attend to other ablutions and then contemplated our next move. We were all in uniform, a pre-requisite of flying by Herc, so a visit “downtown” was not advisable. Those, like myself, sensible enough to have brought a change of socks etc were at least able to feel somewhat refreshed so we decided, en masse, to visit the NAAFI (now renamed the XL Club but still the NAAFI) which was scheduled to open at 7:00pm. On entering at about 7:05 the shutters were still down! The manageress informed us that the computer was broke and they couldn’t operate the cash machines to take money for the beer and lager that they couldn’t pump! We would have settled for some cans and a whip round!

Being a WO1 in uniform has many advantages. The Sgts Mess Manager was in his own words, “looking forward to another boring evening” before he was persuaded to let those of us of suitable status use the bar. The evening’s socialising, somewhat made up for the day’s disappointments and probably equated to about 6 month’s bar takings.

DAY 2 (THURSDAY)

One of the many advantages of modern day technology is the mobile phone. Some of us were still lying in our bunk beds with the distinctive smell of rubber from the waterproofed mattresses (a facility for those with TB [tiny bladders]) when the message came that our flight was further delayed until 3:00pm. It transpired that not only had the engine caught fire but also the guidance system had malfunctioned: we also wondered if, perhaps, the pilot had an invitation to a wedding or similar ‘not wanting to break engagement’. There was nothing for it than to spend another fascinating day in the departure lounge of Lyneham – whoopee!!

The only notable event of this prolonged wait was the arrival of HRH Princess Anne from Scotland in her “private” jet. We assume she arrived because all the RAF staff changed from uniform and

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trainers to better uniform and shoes; we weren’t allowed to view the touchdown because “HRH wouldn’t want to see a load of disgruntled people, dressed in green peering at her from the one small window in the lounge”. During this morning period, one of the 14SR female soldiers contracted glandular fever and was taken off the exercise; those who knew that the disease was contagious sought to retrace her steps, others, like myself, became resigned to spending the rest of our lives alternating between Lyneham and South Cerney. At 1:00pm the same RAF Warrant Officer, he now had a sleeping bag with him, told us that the plane was completely knackered, there was no replacement and we may get away on Saturday. Meanwhile he said he was trying to get us some overnight accommodation: none was available at RAF Lyneham, South Cerney (we all cheered at this news – personally I think the Sgts Mess Manager had something to do with it) or RAF Brize Norton so he was waiting to contact RAF Uxbridge but they were all at lunch! Uxbridge and Lyneham are about 80 miles apart! Simultaneously I and the senior warrant officer of 14SR came to the same conclusion – summon higher authority. There were 22 countries (about 130 personnel) participating in the exercise; the UK was providing the lion’s share of participants (about 30%); our party was about 60% of that third and therefore without us the exercise would fold. This would obviously have been hugely embarrassing. I am reliably informed that following a phone call from the senior “regular” of our party, the Brigadier of 11 Signals Brigade spoke to someone in authority in the RAF requesting that the problem be solved.

At 4:00pm the same Warrant Officer, now somewhat flustered and without that “bored with the whole saga” attitude announced that, miraculously, we had been provided with accommodation in Gateway House at RAF Brize Norton (the RAF’s Ritz Hotel) and we would be flying direct to Canada at 11:20am the following day on an RAF VC10. Oh the power of rank (I thought I’d done well getting into the Sgts Mess at South Cerney!). After our final meal at Lyneham (the last supper?) we arrived at Brize at 4:30pm having retrieved our hold luggage from the “broken” Herc. I remember during my regular service once, on exercise, having gone about five days without a change of outer clothing – this paled into insignificance upon being reunited with my hold luggage – off with the “greens” into respectable civvies for the evening and tomorrow’s flight. The evening in the “Ritz” was a quieter one than that preceding: we were all pretty tired and thankful for a decent night’s sleep away from the dreads of RAF Lyneham and South Cerney!

DAY THREE (FRIDAY)

We took off at exactly 11:20am. A VC10 holds about 120 passengers in comfortable seats, with flush toilets and efficient air-conditioning – there were 33 of us! I believe it is peculiar to RAF Transport Command that the seats face aft. Having survived a take-off leaning forward rather than backwards, I settled into my 8 seats and fell asleep. I was awakened by the RAF stewardess after about 15 minutes! Oh no! Have you guessed it? Well you’d be wrong – “Would you like some lunch, sir?” The Spam salad tasted like lobster thermidor. 7 hours later, at exactly 1:20pm local (L) 6:20pm UK time, we touched down at Trenton Airbase just outside Kingston.

We arrived at the base for the exercise and met up with those Unit members who had arrived as the advance party. At 10:00pm (L), 5:00am UK I realised that I had finally overcome the change in flavour of Canadian lager to that of my normal UK tipple.

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DAYS FOUR TO FIFTEEN

Since the object of this rendering is to enlighten readers to the perils of flying by Herc, I will not dwell too much on the exercise as such but the following are worth noting:-

· The exercise was run (as are all NATO exercises) on ZULU time (GMT) – UK was one hour ahead of ZULU time – Kingston was five hours behind UK time but four hours behind ZULU time. At times the popular saying including the words “a***e” and “elbow” seemed quite appropriate.

· The food in the central messing area was excellent – I lived on salad and pizza for the 12 days and actually lost weight!

· Those of us who bought $20 (£10) phone card to keep in touch with loved ones back home discovered that $20 buys over three hours conversation time!

· The average temperature during our stay in June was about 30 degrees – at the end of March, 8 weeks earlier, the whole of Lake Ontario had been frozen solid! A huge difference in such a short period.

· A five-bedroomed house, at the side of Lake Ontario would cost in the region of 90-100k pounds Sterling!

· Canadians are extremely environmentally aware; ALL public places, including the outdoor tables and chairs of pubs and restaurants, are declared smoking-free zones – during June this was not too much of a problem to those unit members that smoke but visiting in winter would be an incentive to kick the habit!

· The exercise started, and ended, with a barbeque. This was a chance for all nations to get to know each other and “chew the fat”. Obviously having spent a considerable time at international-work and play during the exercise, the final barbeque was much more relaxed and people were less inhibited – the highlight was the “Brit” drinking team remaining undefeated after 6 challenges at the Boat Race.

DAY 16 (THURSDAY)

Our route back was to be the scheduled flight out in reverse, i.e. Kingston – Newfoundland – RAF Lyneham. We arrived at Kingston air base at 10:40pm (L) only to be told that we were at the wrong place. Here we go again. No it was just the wrong gate: Kingston to Newfoundland counts as an internal flight. At 11:00 we watched “our” Herc appear in the distance and fly in. We loaded our own cases and returned to the departure lounge. After discovering that air traffic control had our destination, and hence our flight path, different to that of the Herc pilot we twiddled our thumbs for about twenty minutes. Eventually at 1:20pm, with ear plugs in place, bowels and bladders completely emptied and copious amounts of water to hand we took off. To complicate matters further, Newfoundland time is one and a half hours ahead of Kingston time. After an uneventful flight, we landed at Gander airport, Newfoundland at 6:00pm Newfoundland time, 4:30pm Kingston time, 10:00pm ZULU time and 11:00pm UK time – by this time even my wristwatch had no idea of the time!

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You would have thought the RAF was attempting to make amends for our flight out. The loadmaster was a Flight Lieutenant (not standard crewing) - we were taken by transport to The Hotel Gander – and, finally were accommodated in single and double rooms. After a three-course meal, courtesy of the RAF, we assembled in the air-conditioned bar for our final evening abroad. This was probably my most enjoyable evening away and I’m sure the same can be said for most of those who attended. During the exercise, I enjoyed tremendously, building bridges with foreign nationals – it is that part of the fortnight that I will never forget but this night in Gander was fantastic! It was Karaoke night in the hotel bar! I was entirely passive in respect of taking the microphone but three particular members of the Unit provided entertainment that would not have been amiss in any decent East End pub. The renditions of “Sweet Caroline”, “Suspicious Minds” and particularly “Wild Rover” brought the house down - once witnessed, never forgotten!

DAY 17 (FRIDAY)

I cannot understand why, after a night on the pop, people prefer to sleep on the stairs instead of in a comfortable bed! We took off again at 11:40am Newfoundland time. During the 6 hour flight we were bombarded with food in the form of pizza, salad, Mars bars and the old favourite Spam: all washed down with bottled water. Another marvel of modern technology allowed one of the Unit members, using his laptop, to download, and compile slide shows of, the two thousand plus photographs he had taken during the stay – it was not in line with his transport surroundings! We landed at RAF Lyneham at 9:00pm UK time and had uneventful journeys to our respective homes.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Prior to my journey, and certainly when the engine caught fire, I experienced a certain amount of anxiety. Overall, however, I feel somewhat sorry for those members who travelled to and from the exercise by civilian airlines: they missed an adventure within an adventure. If you had asked me at the time or arriving back in UK soil if I would do it again I would have said yes: if you ask me in six months time the same question the answer will be an unequivocal YES.

The Great North Run By Tim Ketcher

So, what happens when you get the ‘buzz’ to run a half marathon? Well you keep on entering them! Since 2008 I’ve run two a year, not many I may hear some say but with constant training and aged 44, two a year are ample! Sgt Jase Crooks (99 Sqn ALM) and I always run the Reading half in March in aid Huntington’s Disease but this year we also set our sights on gaining entry for The Great North Run. I had only witnessed this through the tv screen but Jase had run this in the past and told me of the great atmosphere this half possesses. We separately entered our details via the ballot and fortunately were both successful and so the training continued straight after

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Reading. I have to admit at one point the running became a chore and I realised I needed time ‘off’ from the training. After a holiday I regained the momentum and pounded the roads again. I was more than pleased with my progress but on race day my naivety of The Great North Run let me down as I hadn’t accounted for all the hills in Newcastle!

Still, Sunday 19th September 10 was soon upon us, and off I went ‘up north’ with Jase and Sgt Mark Vaughan (DMS) who was running in aid of SSAFA. As predicted the overall atmosphere was fantastic with everyone running for their own reasons. Ours was not only to raise money for Huntington’s but more to the point raise awareness of this dreadful disease. Mark predicted he would do well and, with a low race number, was close to the start line. With the race now under way it took Jase and me 25 mins to cross the official start line; 2 miles in and we

decided Jase should go on ahead and leave me to plod and soak up the experience of the fantastic support from the roadside crowds. I knew I wouldn’t be in under 2 hours so my goal was just to finish. With the final straight in site at South Shields along the coast road I decided to open up the pace only to feel the tensions of cramp rear its ugly head, somehow I managed to ward off the cramp and finished in 2 hrs 15 mins 42 secs. I found Mark and Jase who had already finished.

Unfortunately, our method of cooling down after the run wasn’t predicted, as the heavens opened for approx 30 mins soaking us to the skin. This wasn’t the end of the afternoon as, along with tens

of thousands of others, we all wanted to leave South Shields at the same time. My car was approx ½ mile from the start which as you can work out was 13.1 miles away; not to worry the car park didn’t close until 6pm. With everyone else having the same idea we final reached the car park with 5 mins to spare. Now approx 5 hours after the finish, we knew the Travelodge was only a couple of miles away, except it wasn’t the one we had booked! Eventually, 9.30 pm all showered and changed and a well deserved meal and talk over how the day had faired. Overall, Jase and I had raised approx £500 but more importantly we hope we have raised

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awareness of Huntington’s Disease. If you have a few minutes to spare please have a look at www.hda.org.uk. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support and sponsorship.

A Brief Description of Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an hereditary neurological disorder and unfortunately at present an incurable disease. It is caused by a faulty gene in the body that produces a protein called Huntingtin. It causes progressive degeneration of brain cells, slowly impairing a person’s ability to walk, think, talk and reason. The condition has been described as ‘the slowest, cruellest dismantling of a human being known to man’. It affects 1 in 10,000 adults and signs of the condition normally begin to show in the sufferer’s late 30s. The disease is even rarer in children.

“Movember” From Flt Lt Ben Winters, 1 AMW

During the month of November, 1 AMW took up the challenge of growing moustaches or 'mos' for the globally sponsored charity event 'Movember'.

Movember challenges men to change their and the face of men's health by growing a moustache to raise awareness regarding prostate cancer and to aid the funding of its research. The rules are simple, starting on the 1 November clean shaven; the men had 30 days to grow their best effort moustache. The Movember moustache campaign has grown into a global phenomenon with the UK campaign specifically benefitting The Prostate Cancer Charity (TPCC), the country's leading prostate cancer charity.

On the last day of the event and donning WWII style RAF uniform, the thirteen 1 AMW personnel braved the weather for 'tea and medals' and met in-front of the WWII Dakota gate guard outside

47 AD Sqn's HQ to establish whose 'mo' had won the challenge. In judging the event, RAF Lyneham's subject matter expert, the SWO said: "Having been born with my 'tache', I can't fully appreciate how difficult a task this has been for the guys, but the effort has been tremendous all round."

With the formal parade and inspection complete, the SWO decided that the winning title should be given to Sergeant 'Muff' Mufford for his superb effort, particularly with regards to the fact that it only took thirty

days to achieve! The thirteen participants from No 1 AMW were, Squadron Leader Mark Clulo, Flight Lieutenants Ben Winters, Adam Hale, Trev Batey, Mike Trewhella, Conrad Steele-Benny

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and Matt Stott, Flying Officers Piers Compton and Aaron Fulton, Warrant Officer Martin Jones, Sergeants 'Eccy' Eccles and 'Muff' Mufford and Corporal Steve Lauder.

Flight Lieutenant Ben Winters, who organised the event said: "The guys from 1 AMW have done a fantastic job in raising the profile and awareness of such a worthy cause. They have all made a great effort with the challenge and raised over £1800 for the charity." The event captured the imagination of the local and national media with footage being shown on National BBC Breakfast News and articles appearing in the Daily Star, Guardian and a series of local newspapers and web sites.

The Association, on behalf of it members, has made a £100 donation to 1 AMW, to add to their total sum raised for charity .

South Atlantic Airbridge From Kit Ayers

As you will recall immediately after the Falklands War, a daily Hercules Airbridge between Ascension and Stanley was set up using in flight refuelling. The boys at ASI had to load the outbound Airbridge overnight after the evening's VC10 had arrived, for a 0600 pre dawn departure (subject to the requisite 2 refuelling tankers being serviceable and "turning & burning"). The final load selection was dependant upon what arrived on the VC10 although we had plenty of load on hand since we had a lot of strat airlift terminating Ascension and only 30K lbs daily payload further south including full side para for pax. Frequently we relieved the cargo backlog at ASI by loading what we could to southbound shipping including LSL.s, roulement pax shipping (every 14 days) and commercial STUFT freighters. I was S Mov O Ascension for the period Mar to Sep 1984 and was lucky to do a refuelling trip with some old mates (JR - John Rowlands and crew) from my previous Lyneham days, and took the attached series of photographs of a Herc to Herc in flight refuelling which may be of historical interest since so many of our colleagues worked so hard on this airlift. The sequence is as follows: Photo 1 - RV mid South Atlantic with tanker XV 204 Photo 2 - 204 fuel hose & drogue is deployed. Photo 3 - Receiver aircraft positions behind 204 and approaches. Note orange traffic light on tanker. Photo 4 - Close in towards contact. Photo 5 - Prod contact successfully made and fuel flowing (green light). Photo 6 - Refuelling period - a bit close! Photo 7 - Refuelling complete, disconnected from tanker, red light shows pumping has finished and surplus fuel in hose is venting to atmosphere. In those days the airfield set up was a bit primitive using a WW2 termite ridden wooden "nose hangar", no pan lighting, and a lashing taped off area of clinker as the pax lounge. Airbridge paxing was for high priority pax as determined by MOD with ordinary pax travelling 14 days by sea on the roulement shipping. However, inbound pax lists were scrutinised for

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"movers" and every effort was made to load them to spare airbridge seats. This system upset the PMC drafters involving acrimonious signals traffic on the "P" staff net especially when a mistake was made and a somewhat bemused fireman was plucked from the rouly transfer to fly!

1 2 3

4 5 6

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Geordie’s Story or

How I came to run a Half Marathon

Having turned 50 in June 2010 I needed something special to mark this auspicious occasion. I had been running around the local roads a couple of time a week as part of my normal fitness regime and I thought I should do a sponsored run. I mentioned this to “Taff” Wood and he said that if I were to do the Cardiff half marathon on 17th Oct that he would do it with me. Goal set! The next thing I needed to think about was who I should raise money for. I wanted to raise the money to help local children. My wife Val is an assistant Brownie Guider at the 1st Lyneham Brownies, She told me that because a developer had bought the land that the Brownies, Guides

and Scouts hut is on they neededdecided to raise money for the LynTraining wasn’t that bad actually,never ran as far as 13 miles durintimes. Mostly I was doing 6 miles. The day of the run came and alonon the day with bright crisp weathe20 minutes. As I tended to set off pace setter. Along the way it was passing us, maybe more wishful th2 hours 4 minutes and 4 seconds,was over whelming, and I was on a

Thanks to all the people who sponsored me I raised a total of £858.20. Lyneham Scouts and Guides Hut Association would welcome any other contributions to help them, to do this please contact Mrs Frances Marshallsay on 01793 850270.

Cheers

Geordie Rochester

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ed to raise funds to help them move their yneham Scouts and Guides Hut Associatiolly, probably because I had already beenring practice. The farthest I ran was 10 mis. Whatever the distance I tried to run twicelong and with 14,998 others Taff and I set other, ideal-running conditions. I was hopingoff too quickly and then suffer towards the s my impression that we were passing mol thinking than matter of fact! Anyhow up ws, not bad for a fatso! Fantastic. The feelinn a high for about a week!

Photo Left:

Geordie with Lyneham ScoBrownies.

Photo Below:

Geordie presenFrances Marshathe Lyneham SAssociation andthe Chairman oand Guides Hut

ir hut to a new home. I tion. en doing some runs. I miles, I did this several ice a week. t off. We were blessed

ing for a time of 2 hours e end of runs Taff was more people than were we crossed the line in ling of accomplishment

th members of the Scouts, Guides and

enting the cheque to Mrs shallsay, the treasurer of Scouts and Guides Hut nd Mr Ray Jones who is of the Lyneham Scouts ut Association

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From Tony Last Colin, One for the memory book that doubtless you will recall, as do I, and no doubt all the surviving boys of ‘A’ shift who were there at the time. Having fairly recently visited the National Memorial Arboretum (just outside Stafford) and while generally viewing the commemorative walls which list those unfortunate to have lost their life, in service, since World War 2, I was reminded of a loss of life that occurred while we were in the trim office at Khormaksar in 1967. Jude Whittle killed as a result of a 45 gallon oil drum falling on him whilst it was being loaded to a Beverley aircraft in the days before we had slaves for carrying aircraft pallets. I was very moved to see his name included in the Royal Air Force section for 1967 but heartened to know that there was a tribute to him after all this time. Please pass on to fellow readers of the Team Brief. Hoping this finds you and yours well and like me (now) enjoying retirement (as of 30 Sep 10). How did I ever find the time to work? Best regards Tony & Pat Chairman’s note: Jude’s death was as a result of a tragic accident which highlighted the dangers of the old Beverley Pallet. I recall that shortly after the incident we were instructed to chain the corners of the Bev Pallet to the mast of the forklift. Fortunately I was not at work when Jude was killed as I was recovering in Khormaksar Beach Hospital having had appendicitis. Jude is buried in ‘Silent Valley’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nM0eTaGdps

Airplane Mechanic Sucked Into Jet Engine, Killed at El Paso Airport

by Aircraft Maintenance Support on Saturday, May 8, 2010

EL PASO, Texas — An airplane mechanic was killed Monday morning after he was sucked into a jet's engine while passengers were boarding from the tarmac, officials said. "A mechanic walked in front of the engine and was pulled into the engine," National Transportation Safety Board spokeswoman Lauren Peduzzi said. She said she didn't know if any passengers saw the accident as they boarded Continental Airlines flight 1515 to Houston. A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said the worker was sucked into the right engine of the 737-500. The mechanic's identity wasn't released, but Continental identified the victim as an employee of

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one of Continental's suppliers. Continental released few other details about what it called a "ground incident" at El Paso International Airport. "My fellow co-workers and I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of the mechanic involved in this tragic event," Larry Kellner, Continental chairman and CEO, said in a statement. There were 114 passengers and five crew members boarding the plane. Peduzzi said there had been an earlier problem with the Number 2 engine, so the engine's metal covering was open at the time of the accident.

I have removed some of the more graphic and disturbing pictures from this article – Its a reminder to us all who work on or near aircraft of the dangers that are constantly around us, and the need to be aware of our environment........Mick

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WHERE and WHEN? Anyone know where and when the two photographs below were taken? Email either Chairman@ukmams.co.uk or Editor@ukmams.co.uk . We’ll let you know in the next edition.

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The Thoughts of an Old Mover

By

Gerry Davis In times gone by, I used to fly with Movers old and new We humped and dumped in sand and snow and jungles where to go Those ancient aircraft, large and small, sadly are no more, but nowadays the movers new still have things to tie and lash and do The chains are taught the loads are spread, will we ever get to bed. there's more. there's more, the Chiefy swore with cargo at the door The load has changed .the trim is new, whatever shall we do Go to it lads and lasses, our job is never over, till the flight has gone, we cannot rest or even change our clobber So miss a meal, that's no big deal we'll have to cope without, there's nothing that the cooks have left is worth a measly shout while hunger travels through us all we ponder what to do .so thinking of a NAAFI brew, or even get some mangy stew .that's what we'll have to do,.... Our voice won’t falter or to alter what humpers do or strain, for I’m a mover proud as punch serving with this happy bunch with sweat and tears .and all the fears We've come to help our doubtful peers . When engines fail, the techs prevail this aircraft isn't going, we swear and moan, and think of home, and will I ever get that longed for loan Its off with load and aircraft change and start at it again, no matter that you’re feeling low there's nowhere else that we can go. On continents near and far. the movers find the nearest bar, there in on aircraft one and leave when all the hard works done The thanks we give for those of us whose life's are full and travelled, the day will come when all look back to thoughts of sun and all the fun Enjoy the moment keep the pictures .the dates the times the places. With age the memory fails a bit which doesn't really matter, their yours, their ours Cherish them with pride

Gerry