I remember seeing multiple Chinooks, pinger Sea Kings, Mk 4 Sea Kings, Lynx Mk 3s with ifra reds all operating out of HMS Osprey (Portland) before her eventual closure. The aircraft were operating on a weekend at first in the summer and VERY close to the public viewing area there. Lots of people turned up to see the activity (Grans, Grandads with associated Grandchildren with camping seats and cameras!!!
)
In the old SAR hangers lots of moustached black clad nasty looking types were milling around looking nasty. The helos started winding up and with the wind direction all the cab doors were facing the public who were by now pressing their noses and shutter buttons against the simple chain link fence only 40ft away from the nearest nasty and at the awesome sight of some 60 nasties walking out to their mounts for the off.
We were so close to the action that two aircrew came saunting over to ask the Grandads to stop filming and taking pictures, but this was futile work as by now 100 Grans and Grandads were now fully involved.
The aircrew strode off and 5 minutes later a security landrover drew up with two portly navy lads, who then tried to comandeer any camera that they saw. The Grans and Grandads had a great time scurrying around hiding from the security bods using their grandchildren as human shields.
The formation up and went with the scenario being repeated for 4 or 5 days, but with better security arrangements!!. Portland has had its share of SF activity. I once saw 5 C130s disgorge boats, equipment and para blokes into Lyme Bay close to Portland Harbour and in the Harbour itself on another occaision. There used to be a SF static training ship moored up for MCT work, which was taken away some years ago, but has now been replaced with the old Sir Tristram i beleive for the same activity.
Was great to see these guys doing their stuff and gave me good excuses to get away from work and see something altogether more gratifying and spectacular.
Coley.