Wg Cdr Dave Belfield, a Fighter Controller stationed at Waddington, was killed yesterday in an RTA near his home.
Dave started off in the RAF as a potential Pilot but things did not work out. As was the norm in the early 80's, he was drop kicked into the FC Branch and proceeded to leave his mark wherever he went. A true character, he was one of the funniest individuals I have ever had the pleasure of serving with. The minute he walked in the room he would light the place up with his natural wit and antics. The heirachy loathed him, the troops, and his peers, loved him.
He had a heart of gold. On a det to Mt Olympus in Cyprus, he was there when the CO's son was killed in a car crash. Some 12 years later, at this mans Golden Wedding celebration, he said that he and his family would not have got through those dark days without the presence, strength, humour and compassion of Dave.
Dave was lucky enough to serve all over the world and he even managed to wangle an exchange with the US Marine Corps. He was over the moon, right up to the point when he was ambushed in Somalia and had to run for his life!
A good man, a great character and I, for one, will miss him dearly. God Bless.
Clive Gibson
RAF Boulmer
aka Wyler.