Seeing in the New Year - Alone !

[smujsmith]

In six plus years as a C130 Ground Engineer (I know, nothing compared to real Ground engineers like Libby) I managed two away from home. As one of only two, from thirty plus, who lived on "the patch" the other four were spent on "stand by at home" for OP Ferdy and Banner, or similar. I think I had one year in the six that I was really "at home". I know for a fact that many of my Aircrew colleagues of the time had similar experiences. That covers the Albert fleet, did this situation cover the rest of the RAF, I ask having seen a piece in a newspaper today that suggested that the "military" effectively "stand down" over holidays these days. I know for a fact that many are doing exactly as I did this year in Afghanistan, and I for one sympathise, and send my thanks to you for continuing to serve our country. But, who is doing stag this year in the UK? I wish all on duty, off duty and like me, retired, but keen PPruners a very Happy New year, a swift return to your loved ones and the very best for your futures.

Smudge :ok:

[Danny42C]

Smudge,

"Amen" to that, say I (we've all "been there", haven't we ?).

Bless 'em all ! With all Good Wishes for the New Year,

Danny.

[Lima Juliet]

Smuj

Just did Christmas Eve and will be in tomorrow as well (which is why I'm up late) - that's a couple of Eves scr3w3d this year! :E

In my ~25 years, I've done about 3x QRAs, 2x Op dets, 1x FI det and at least a couple of Ord Off/SDO/SDE over the Christmas/NY hols. This year it is a UK task. My background? Mostly FJ with a spattering of other stuff. I reckon it's about a 40% 'hit rate'.

HNY to you as well :ok:

LJ

[Surplus]

Deployed and on standby today, we will be able to have to have a few quiet ones tonight though. HNY to all and will be thinking of those still in harm's way, keep safe.

[54Phan]

54Burg will recognize those who lay it on the line, and thank them gratefully. Happy New Year everyone!

[BEagle]

Until 1974, New Year's Day wasn't a public holiday in England, so our New Year celebrations were pretty quiet and I never thought of Dec 31st as anything particularly special. I'd been visiting my father and step-mother in Menorca over Christmas; due to the lack of flights over New Year I had to fly back on Sunday 30th Dec, then froze my parts off at RAFC Cranwell as all the heating was off until the afternoon of 1 Jan*..... After which came the joy of the 3-day week, 17% inflation etc.

I've done a few deployments and/or QRA over the period - at Wattisham, our Luftwaffe exchange mates turned up at the Q-shed with a little 'low alcohol' sekt to toast the New Year. Whereupon, at midnight, 'BK' who was Duty Force Controller for the night decided to ring Battle Flight at Wildenrath to wish them a Happy New Year....

"Thank you - but it's 01:00 and you've just woken us all up!", came the reply - he'd forgotten about the time zone....:\

*When the heating came back on, the damage caused to all the cold-soaked infrastructure cost a lot more to repair than would have been the cost to keep the heating on...:rolleyes:

[Brian 48nav]

I never think of January 31st as special either :rolleyes: - except on a good day it may be the first time the sunset is after 5 o'clock!

[Shack37]

Any ex Coastal (later Strike) in the sixties will recall that ANY public holiday of ANY description at ANY time of year was the signal for our friends to send their subs for a jolly around Norway. Bags packed for homegoing would end up in Bodo.:ugh:

[Courtney Mil]

Oh, Guys! What have you done? I'm surprised we haven't already had a bashing from the FAA/RN contingent explaining that they've been at sea for every public holiday since the Battle of Trafalgar. Mind you, getting a free cruise with all your mates for Christmas and New Year can't be all bad.

Christmas Q was always my favourite. Always happy to do that.

[Dave Wilson]

Seemed to get stitched for snow and ice a fair few times but was only called out once. Did an orderley dog at Christmas but volunteered for that. By the way do they still have Goblins on the back of flat beds to clear the snow and ice away? Spent one Christmas and New Year at Mt Unpleasant but apart from that didn't do too badly in the festive stakes.

Best wishes to all of our boys and girls who are duty bound at this time. Stay safe.

[Tashengurt]

Ha! Snow and ice. Somehow I never got called out for that. I think I have the MT section to thank for that.
Now wearing a different uniform, I'll spend tonight on a response team dealing with the less pleasant side of new years eve. Here's to empty cells and jolly drunks. Cheers!


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[BEagle]

Goblins on the back of flat beds...

You mean the MRD - Machine Runway De-icer..... Two Derwents on a rig with a small cabin for the luckless operator. Usually pushed around by a bowser until the Double Derwents' thrust overcame the bowser's clutch.

How often, from the comfort of the aircrew coffee bar, we saw the familiar sight of an MRD blowing snow / ice / runway lights / friction course into the sky as some operator gave the MRD a bit too much throttle.....and how SATCO's face fell as he realised how much damage the wretched things had caused.

Regarding SDO / OO over Christmas, at RAF Brawdy the only on-base quarters were for the Stn Cdr and a couple of senior execs. Being the nice chap he was, the Stn Cdr announced that he would be SDO on Christmas Day - and that he was sure that his senior execs would volunteer for Boxing Day and New Year.....:ok:

[L J R]

Did a spot of Search and Rescue for a bad day in a Sydney-Hobart yacht race some decades ago.....ruined a summer BBQ....
Much later, deployed to KAF on 1 January.....That was after sitting a 'booth' on Christmas Day somewhere north of Vegas...

[Pontius Navigator]

One year, my team was on 6hr special safety standby over Christmas and New Year.

OK, we were all at home and we didn't expect a call out but as you know sh1t happens.

No mobiles or pagers of course so no chance of family going shopping for more than an hour or so.

And afterwards the bosses reneged on their promise and denied time off in lieu as the guys had been at home all the time.

What a way to build up loyalty and morale.

[Lima Juliet]

Quote: Goblins on the back of flat beds...

You mean the MRD - Machine Runway De-icer..... Two Derwents on a rig with a small cabin for the luckless operator. Usually pushed around by a bowser until the Double Derwents' thrust overcame the bowser's clutch.


I hope so, or he could mean the (in)famous teasmaid (batty) at RAF Finningley! :E

LJ

[Bill4a]

Beags, I always had fun doing the MRD, it was noisy, but above all else it was warm! Picking snow off the lights was the sign of mastery, and there was a great sense of satisfaction in shifting blocks of ice without damaging anything (too much!)
I always felt sorry for the snow shovelers but never more so until I went to Valley and saw lots of frozen stoods enjoying themselves as I drove past in my warm car!
Oh well!

[taxydual]

Twas ever thus.

Christmas comes
but once a firkin.
And when it comes
we're firkin wirkin'.

Happy New Year everyone, stay safe.

[Pontius Navigator]

a great sense of satisfaction in shifting blocks of ice without damaging anything (too much!)

Not Christmas but I triumph of MRD work at Waddo. Spent from Friday until Sunday noon getting the runway in a fit state for recovery of a tin triangle from Goose.

He duly pitched up and asked for the runway state - 90% black top we told him.

Fine, where is the 10%?

All over. One metre of ice every 10 sqr meters.

No sooner had the MRDs flaked off one section it froze on the next. MT also managed to create a 3 foot ice wall from Foxtrot to the 03 threshold.

Success!

Now had SATCO allowed us to use steel blades as we had on the lazy runway we would have had 100% black top and minimal damage anyway.

[clicker]

Tashengurt,

My thoughts will be with you and your team tonight. NYE is not a good one for domestics and drunken fighting idiots. Keep safe.

After 24 years I retired but my old section are lates tonight so going to pop into the comms and say hello. Doubt if they will leave on time at 2am.

BEagle,

When I first started working for the plod we would get visits for the Chief Constable and other senior officers over Christmas. When I left two years ago we didn't even see our own head of dept let alone any ACPO staff. Hope the RAF still has it's values there.

[goudie]

I joined my first Sqdn, in Germany, two days before Christmas in '55. My old mum was distraught that the RAF could treat me (her) so cruelly. Actually I had a cracking time, but being the new bod was delegated for airfield guard duty on New Year's Eve. I landed the 2-4 shift, and with three other erks was dropped off at the far side of the airfield, which bordered onto a pine forest.
Walking up and down my stretch of patrol, in total darkness, :eek: I was convinced demons were going to leap out any moment, thankfully I did have a pick-axe shaft to ward them off!:rolleyes:
Other than that, one Christmas, in Singapore, on det., in 20 yrs. so no complaints.

Happy New Year and a safe one, to all those serving.

[smujsmith]

It seems clear that many, if not all units had the requirement for duty on high days and holidays. I started the thread, not bemoaning my bad luck at being "duty" local bloke, but thinking about those who get to experience being away from home at this time of the year. It strikes me that across the strata of ranks and occupation, we all have shared the experience. With a few hours to go can I send my best wishes to all fellow PPruners and servicemen of all "denominations" for a peaceful and prosperous New Year. I particularly hope that all serving their last tour in the sandbox stay safe and return home safely. With respect to ranks, serving or retired, thanks to all for being a source of fun and inspiration during the past year, I'm honoured to be a member. Blimey, my first New Years Honour !!!!!

Smudge:ok:

[Danny42C]

Leon Jabachjabicz,

Your quote: (Goblins on the back of flat beds...)

"You mean the MRD - Machine Runway De-icer..... Two Derwents on a rig with a small cabin for the luckless operator. Usually pushed around by a bowser until the Double Derwents' thrust overcame the bowser's clutch".

Or overcame the bowser's grip on the ice ! I well remember one day seeing a bowser bent on achieving Mach unity - backwards ! Luckily it ran onto some rough ground before it hit anything of value....D.

goudie,

I refer to your:

"was dropped off at the far side of the airfield, which bordered onto a pine forest.Walking up and down my stretch of patrol, in total darkness, I was convinced demons were going to leap out any moment, thankfully I did have a pick-axe shaft to ward them off".

Could it have been Geilenkirchen ? (sounds like it). If so, have a look at "Gaining a Pilots Brevet" (p.241 #4806). Your demons might just not have been entirely figments of your imagination !....D.

A Happy New Year to you both, and my commiseration to all "at the coal face" over the holiday (better luck next year !)
Danny.

[NutLoose]

Yup MRD qualified here too... Happy days stripping layers of Tarmac... Oops

The MRD course was interesting too.... All 10 mins of it lol, sit there, start those, off you go.

Still beat gritting roads by standing in the back of a 4 tonner and kicking it through the gap in the tail gate as it drove along.... I kid you not.


Best Chrimbo / New Year Duty was Q... So the married guys could spend it with their sprogs.... Spent the allowance on films and shhhhhh, drinkies etc and made a tree out of newspaper. Staish arrived and disgusted the Q Sgt hadn't allocated the budget for decorations ( we had but for the above ) so sent some bod to plunder the officers mess to decorate the soft..... Awwwwwww

[goudie]

Danny42C Actually it was Wahn but I believe a quite a few German airfields were surrounded by pine forests.

Your story re. Mrs D is very spooky

[Shiny10]

Whilst teaching at RAF Halton one Christmas my students were stood down early for the holidays but the staff had to work on to clean up.


One of my students took the wee out of me because of this.


I said “Enjoy it while you can this could be the last Christmas you get off”


He laughed and was under the impression that this would never happen.


During the FI conflict I was seeing the 10’s through Daker and stood at the rear of the aircraft on the pan when this thing in green camo gear came running at me screaming his head off! “You b*****d that was the last Christmas I have had off since I left Halton”.


We had a good laugh http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/wink2.gif

[A2QFI]

I have served on quiet Stations where the Station Commander did SDO on Christmas Day. I have dire memories of the Christmas Day soccer match at Akrotiri in 1961 (Off v Sgts) where the losers had to consume a large chamber pot filled with warm lager and hot dogs -Yuck!