AAAAH! ShyTorque....
That bought back many happy memories of plonking a Gazelle on Cadenas OP and trying not to infringe Guatamalan airspace!
And a few
interesting stories about Gurkas in helicopters!.... But maybe leave that for another thread.
Anyway, I digress. Belize (again) early 80's, and following a big Battlegroup North exercise, it was decided to have a big de-brief (large lunch!) at the Myan ruins near San Ignacio, for all VIP observers and nebbies.
Andy Capp's Commando's and Sappers set up 180 lb tent on site and proceed to set out lunch for the High Rankers (spell checked!) and VIP's. Teeny weeny's tasked with taking Brigadier and local dignitaries to site. So 2 gazelles land 50M downwind of site, and 2 pilots accompany pax to have a nose. VERY POSH nosh! Ice statues, the works. Well, nobody worried about taxpayers money back then!
Pilots told to bu@@er off! So retreated to aircraft to enjoy (?) our cookhouse nosebag. 5 mins later the unmistakable drone of a Puma approaching carrying high ranking crab type. Obviously, to avoid having thier pax walk too far sideways, they decide to land 25M UPWIND of the tent!!
Switch to slo-mo..... as the tent starts to lift and the biggest sandstorm carries dust, bushes and pretty much anything else lying around into whats left of the tent...............
The debrief was, apparently, unedible!..... and lots of red faces all round
OOOOH HOW WE CHUCKLED! Sometimes life doesn't get any better
