This mentality that requires to see an ID card every time even for a person known to the security operative has always intrigued me.
Surely the whole idea is to ensure the person requiring entry is correctly identified. Any ID can be forged. A person, appearing in person cannot. However, one supposes that this requires some initiative on behalf of the security personnel.
Initiative...mmm!
In '85 I was flying a Gazelle (Exercise Lionheart) for the purpose of Airfield Damage Repair Recce. As soon as possible after an air raid we were required to recce the airfield and complete a paper map report in the air, logging any bomb craters or other items requiring attention. As this was done in radio silence the SOP was to hover over the Commcen carpark and drop the completed report form through the message chute in a weighted bag. The RAF policeman outside was briefed to immediately get the report inside.
Day one, air raids came and went, no problem, system worked well.
Day two, second Gazelle was in use (different hull letter). First air raid over, we got airborne, completed our recce and hovered over the carpark, as before. The Royal Engineer observer opened the message chute and dropped the report in its bag, as before. The RAFP on duty, (same policeman as yesterday) immediately sprang into action. Great.
Except that instead of picking up the message, he took out his 9mm pistol and aimed it upwards, simulating the firing of ten rounds into the aircraft hovering above him, apparently shouting "Bang, Bang, Bang!"
Policeman was debriefed shortly after. He said that yesterday the aircraft had an "F" for friend painted on its nose - today it had an "E" for enemy - so he shot it down......
True story!!
Last edited by ShyTorque; 25th Jun 2006 at 11:13.