Remember feeling a lot pi$$ed off a little bit earlier when the Lossie Staish flew down to St M to breif the Bucc guys and then left again less than an hour later (IIRC) without coming to brief us. Our boss had the unenviable task of giving us the brief. Buccs back immediately for pink paint jobs. We to remain for a couple of days. The JMC is cancelled. Oh, and it has been decided that the U.S. will provide the airbourne early warning coverage. So sorry guys. All those years of training and effort, and unique skills are appreciated but...
The Buccs started departing North within the hour. Base told us that our hangar was now a spray shop. Everything going in green and coming out pink. Aircraft, bowsers, GPU's ladders etc. Oh, and we wern't required to deploy. Damn, damn, damn. Maybe 'they' might change their minds.
Night of the wife's birthday, we're still South when the balloon goes up. Everybody glued to any telly they can find. Cheering our boys on while wishing them all the best of British and hoping for safe returns.
Finally back North. Still not required. Like everyone else who wasn't 'there' we did all we could to try and do our bit. 8 Sqn apron became a huge VASS for more Fat Alberts than I realised we had. We all became equipment movers and loaders, getting the turn around times down as fast as possible knowing there were a bunch of our friends/mates/fellow RAF types needing all this stuff now. Bowsers into a Heavylift Belslow, Bucc GE into Hercs. All a bit of a blur now. Those Herc crews never got the official recognition they deserved. Still going with major unservicabilities including the worst flowing fuel leak I have ever seen in a wing. Salute them all.
Selfish feelings of dissapointment rapidly changed to immense pride for our boys and girls in light blue doing their stuff, and sadness for those who didn't return and their families.
Sixteen years ago? Naw, It really was only yesterday. And 'they' never did change their minds. And the inside of the hangar had a pink tinge to it for a long time afterwards.
camlobe