What a waste, what a fool.
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A few thoughts.
Chap is/was a sqn ldr. So he's either had a good career to-date or managed to blag it for some time; I would guess the former.
Having kicked-around SH for some time (albeit a decade or so ago), the force is very hard-working, very hard-playing. I can't think of many who didn't over-step the 'mark' at least once (I'm not talking class A drugs here).
Cocaine - when CGB joined-up such activity was a non-starter. I think it is right that this should still be the the case.
If one was to believe the newspaper, I'm astounded at the naivety of the individual in openly flaunting his cocaine activity in the Mess. Some pages back it was hinted that this may be the manifestation of an underlying issue but no sane senior officer would openly pass the powder without knowing the consequences. His actions were almost the equivalent of the Mess Webley.
His compatriots did exactly the right thing. This was not a "CO's office, hat no sherry" event.
I feel sorry for the man, he has clearly gone off the rails as far as the Service is concerned and the reasons for this need to be ascertained and addressed.
Chap is/was a sqn ldr. So he's either had a good career to-date or managed to blag it for some time; I would guess the former.
Having kicked-around SH for some time (albeit a decade or so ago), the force is very hard-working, very hard-playing. I can't think of many who didn't over-step the 'mark' at least once (I'm not talking class A drugs here).
Cocaine - when CGB joined-up such activity was a non-starter. I think it is right that this should still be the the case.
If one was to believe the newspaper, I'm astounded at the naivety of the individual in openly flaunting his cocaine activity in the Mess. Some pages back it was hinted that this may be the manifestation of an underlying issue but no sane senior officer would openly pass the powder without knowing the consequences. His actions were almost the equivalent of the Mess Webley.
His compatriots did exactly the right thing. This was not a "CO's office, hat no sherry" event.
I feel sorry for the man, he has clearly gone off the rails as far as the Service is concerned and the reasons for this need to be ascertained and addressed.
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Summary
Professional and dependable aviator with over 25 years flying experience including training, managerial and specialist role activity. Highly motivated with a calm, confident and approachable demeanor who works well in a team environment.
Looking for employment from mid to late 2014.
Experience
Pilot
Royal Air Force
January 1990 – Present (25 years)RAF Odiham
Chinook Wing, RAF Odiham May 11 – Present
Chinook Pilot specialized in various insertion and extraction techniques around the world. Squadron Operations & Training Officer responsible for delivering and managing timely training for the Squadron’s operational pilots.
Rotary Flying Training Sep 09 – May 11
Rotary Flying training on Squirrel, Bell 412 and Boeing Chinook helicopters. Winner of best overall student for both Basic and Advanced Rotary Courses.
Tactics & Training – Air to Ground Weapons Nov 05 – Sep 09
Responsible for all aspects of employment and training in both current and future weapons for the RAF. Trial Management Leader for Precision Guided Bomb project, the latest RAF guided weapon.
Flight Commander/Flying Instructor Jun 98 – Nov 05
Responsible for the operational training and leading of a squadron of up to 15 pilots and the professional career management, assessment and report writing for 8 pilots. Developed, improved and delivered training packages for student and instructor pilots. RAF Jaguar Display Pilot for 2002 - 2003; led display team of 22 engineers and ground crew and organised participation in over 100 air displays. Led the squadron on numerous training exercises in Oman, Poland and the United States. Rated “exceptional as pilot and instructor” in reports for 2000-2005.
Summary
Professional and dependable aviator with over 25 years flying experience including training, managerial and specialist role activity. Highly motivated with a calm, confident and approachable demeanor who works well in a team environment.
Looking for employment from mid to late 2014.
Experience
Pilot
Royal Air Force
January 1990 – Present (25 years)RAF Odiham
Chinook Wing, RAF Odiham May 11 – Present
Chinook Pilot specialized in various insertion and extraction techniques around the world. Squadron Operations & Training Officer responsible for delivering and managing timely training for the Squadron’s operational pilots.
Rotary Flying Training Sep 09 – May 11
Rotary Flying training on Squirrel, Bell 412 and Boeing Chinook helicopters. Winner of best overall student for both Basic and Advanced Rotary Courses.
Tactics & Training – Air to Ground Weapons Nov 05 – Sep 09
Responsible for all aspects of employment and training in both current and future weapons for the RAF. Trial Management Leader for Precision Guided Bomb project, the latest RAF guided weapon.
Flight Commander/Flying Instructor Jun 98 – Nov 05
Responsible for the operational training and leading of a squadron of up to 15 pilots and the professional career management, assessment and report writing for 8 pilots. Developed, improved and delivered training packages for student and instructor pilots. RAF Jaguar Display Pilot for 2002 - 2003; led display team of 22 engineers and ground crew and organised participation in over 100 air displays. Led the squadron on numerous training exercises in Oman, Poland and the United States. Rated “exceptional as pilot and instructor” in reports for 2000-2005.
Apologies for stepping into a Mil thread as personally never served but having recently read the "Darker shade of blue"? report after the Bud Holland B52 crash I can see some parallels as the human machine starts to fail in subtle ways first.
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I'm not sure BH compares although it's a while since I read his story. As I remember he was known to be pushing the limits but no one was prepared to confront the issue. High turn over of staff allowed his behavior to be swept under the carpet and by the end only senior aircrew would fly with him (protecting the junior aircrew?).
Is there any suggestion the RAF chap was going the same way? I'm sure there may have been instances in the past of BH type antics/personalities in the RAF albeit without the tragic ending.
Is there any suggestion the RAF chap was going the same way? I'm sure there may have been instances in the past of BH type antics/personalities in the RAF albeit without the tragic ending.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Vitessse, I can see where he is going but there is no evidence of parallels as there has been no evidence here that the CoC had any prior knowledge or given any counselling.
I think we can assume the prior supervision aspects will have been put under a microscope. To say what they might have been would be pure speculation.
I think we can assume the prior supervision aspects will have been put under a microscope. To say what they might have been would be pure speculation.
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PN, That's how I see things based on the story and info given.
Exactly. There are people who know more but they probably won't post much here!
To say what they might have been would be pure speculation.
Always difficult working out how to support guys, and girls, in difficulty. As a scribbly it was pretty useful in many ways having a budgie on my jumper, as it gave some understanding of the bigger picture. On one occasion I became aware of a pilot, going through a marriage break-up, who clearly was not coping too well on the ground so might also have had challenges in the air as a fighter pilot. I spoke to my OC Admin who suggested that if I was really concerned, I should speak to the Staish, which I did. Guy was handled sensitively, put on a ground task for a while and a few weeks later was back flying. I like to think I may have contributed to saving a life by speaking out, but it is not easy unless you trust those above you.
Wander00, Top result!
I guess it's easy to forget that, sometimes, our seniors are absorbed by their own professional tasks and private concerns and miss the sort of thing which a peer can clearly see.
I guess it's easy to forget that, sometimes, our seniors are absorbed by their own professional tasks and private concerns and miss the sort of thing which a peer can clearly see.
Reputationally, this sad incident will not do the RAF any good
I'm honestly quite surprised he was grassed up even in the military, to be honest. Good grief, if you lot were any straighter...
P
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Yozzer, whlst the story is in the public interest and public domain I think you're out of order posting his Linkedin profile.
The profile is available freely for people to view but copying it and posting it here is below the belt IMO.
The profile is available freely for people to view but copying it and posting it here is below the belt IMO.
Surely not the same "tourist" we all know and love? IIRC you stuck the boot into the RN pilots on the ASaC collision, making a series of claims such as them having full radar coverage.
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Much better doing drugs than the alternative Jag lifestyle!