It
does seem like a long time ago as I finally get down to writing up
the notes I made at last years Reunion but lets hope that the atmosphere
on the day survives several months in my jobs pending tray.
The
tried and trusted format for organising us part timers onto the site
worked well and everybody was in a fully refreshed and chatty mood
by the time Squadron Leader Howard Carby gave members, wives, partners
and guests a briefing on what XXIV had been up to since last year.
W/C
Don Turnbull was at the sharp in Afghanistan as the detachment commander.
Its one way of avoiding doing a presentation but maybe not the first
one that comes to mind. Currently the Squadron are not actively involved
in trips to many exotic destinations, these are mainly by charter
aircraft. At least the tented accommodation has become a bit more
luxurious, being rubber and better insulated. The aircraft and crews
have moved well out of theatre but this has the down side of adding
1.5 hours flying time to each mission and consumes additional fuel
and flying hours.
Gone
are the days of just being able to take a nav bag and suitcase on
a trip, its now a huge amount of personnel survival kit for each crew
member. The sorties themselves are general centred on moving personnel
and equipment from place to place in Iraq. This has involved the upper
limit of being extended to a 19 hour day for 6/7 days on and 1 day
off. Crews are out on detachment for around 1 month.
In
Afghanistan they cover support to Helmund Province, Kabul and Camp
Bastion which has a rough strip landing area. We saw a night approach,
landing and take off video taken by HTV into Kabul with the crew using
defensive aids and night vision goggles onto an airfield at an elevation
of 5,500ft in complete darkness, not the sort of thing for a novice.
Flights
supporting troops in Northern Ireland have now finally finished, along
with support flights to the Balkans. What time is left over is used
to cover all the other odds and ends that inevitably crop up. Lyneham
is now also the main hub in the UK for Repatriation of all serving
personnel.
Training still continues and is split into 5 tiers of competence,
with Level 5 being only Limited Combat Ready up to Level 1, able to
support Special Forces. From first hand accounts, landing on unpaved
runways at night wearing those night vision goggles is about as demanding
as it gets. Crews still deliver containers over the ramp for humanitarian
and military needs.
Adventure
training has taken the form of a sailing expedition in the Baltic
to reinforce team work. With the closure of Burton Hill House School
after the many years of support from Squadron crews over the years,
another LOCAL charity is being sought to keep the community involvement
alive. All this and a new OC XXIV in May 2008, W/C Andy Bacon and
a new standard to be presented by The Princess Royal the same month.
The
future holds much for the Squadron with its capability to support
the huge long term task of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its
resources are the increased capability of the role the C130J can play
in forward combat areas. The A400M project moves along towards its
eventual manufacture stage, thus providing a potential new aircraft
for XXIV?
All
this information prompted some lively and sensible questions from
the audience, with a special emphasis to the welfare of the crews
out on operations.
After
being fired up by the briefing, it was back to the crew room and patio
for a very enjoyable afternoon. This included and action packed Rugby
Match on the big screen (England 12 Australia 10), a visit to the
Flight Simulator, static aircraft, tour round the airfield and plenty
of al fresco lunch time grub. We have to thank Mike Long for organising
the raffle and auction which raised a further £170 for Association
funds.
A
new format for the Ladies Guest Night was tried with resounding success,
the local hotel return coach service to the mess, and music during
the evening meal all added to another memorable reunion. Don’t miss
out on the next one is the advice from present.
IN
OMNIA PARATI
Read
all of the Issue 15 Newsletter
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