7 of the original Sqn have left or are in the process of leaving, either runnning out their service or via PVR. Three Officers and 4 WO1s. This is over a third (7/19) of 656 Sqn, at full strength. Even more worrying is that there are only five of the original 19 currently filling front line seats, including 2 QHIs - only two remain in 656 Sqn itself! Of all the others:
4 have been promoted and/or posted to desk jobs
2 have gone on QHI course (necessary, I grant you)
1 posted to AMTAT (equally appropriate)
I would add to that the two AH pilots who have now been posted to 8 Flt and Fixed Wing training next year. I can't say I blame them, having spent four years at the AH coalface - it is a hard slog. They will, hopefully, come back to the programme in a few years, refreshed and re-invigorated.
HEDP - in answer to your question, by December next year, I anticipate that there will be no original members of 656 Sqn left in a front line seat. Seems a crying shame, especially when I know that some of the original aircrew would possibly have stayed, given the chance.
I'm looking forward to a new job!
