Did you fly on the MERT Chinooks in Afghanistan? We’re looking for the force protection blokes in particular: riflemen, signallers, EOD etc… as you’re proving hard to track down.
MERT was a temporary collection of people from all 3 services but not under one regiment or squadron. As such a lot of the blokes who did the role went back to their parent unit after and never got the support they needed or deserved.
We set up the MERT Club a couple of years ago to preserve the legacy and support the people who did the job.
The MERT Club is open to any person who flew on MERT Chinooks in Afghanistan, including aircrew, medical team or force protection. We’re well funded and put on regular events/expeds/socials, but we are lacking the exposure for the force protection lads.
From what we’ve seen so far, a common response is that they feel they “didn’t do much” or “didn’t do it many times” etc. The club does not see it that way and intends to make sure everyone who did the job has the chance to join.
For those who are blocked by joining because of financial reasons (we have a small membership subscription to raise funds to support each other alongside our external donations) then just give us the nod and we can sort it out. A lot of our members pay double every year so they can cover someone else’s subs.
This year we’ve already ran a Sailing exped, surf school, formal dinner at RAF Cosford and marched at the Cenotaph for Remembrance. We’re also running a charity dinner in the centre of Edinburgh at Christmas. Next year we’re going to try and do even more.
Aside from this we have had had some success as a professional network getting people into good job opportunities and supporting members who need it directly.
If we’ve convinced you to come join then email:
[email protected]
You can also find our facebook touch point here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/themertclub/
Or get in touch on our website mertclub.co.uk