The Canberra Strike Sqns in Germany were, as you all know, tasked with instant sunshine missions - Mission One.
An ex-B(I)8 nav from the early days of this tasking . . .
Well remember the taceval circuses - especially the American release officers (with 59 they were SAC crews on a rest tour) who failed completely to understand the RAF/Brit approach to drama, straight into banter mode. Although we passed the first taceval with flying colours the US release officers obviously made some comment re 'our attitude' up their line of command. Shortly afterwards a delegation from some US Senate Select committee descended on us to verify that we were indeed suitable to be trusted with their big bangers. The crews were all addressed by one of the delegation who stunned the "Boss"by asking what procedures he had in place to handle the high levels of stress induced by our tremendous responsibilities and the real likelihood that, I quote, "'Mission One' might not lead to a mission two". The CO was quite stuck for answer, as he had certainly never considered the problem, and took the only way out - 'We all get pissed on a Friday night and the Boss pays for it'. The senate man then asked the the "Boss" what his mission profile was - John, again, professional to the last - 'Reckon that if we cruise climb with full tips we can just make Kenya - of course, we would have to dump the 'shape' on the way - no more than the bloody Frogs deserve!' To our shame we became quite hilarious with even wilder 'mission profiles' being offered - the committee crept away next day and John collected three extra duty officer stints. The release officers never did understand us, can't think why.