After the initial push in to Afghanistan (late 2001) and things were 'bedding in' for the long term, I was on det with a VC10 in the South Atlantic. Hercs were in
strong demand for Afghan ops, and there was a threat to withdraw the one based alongside us at 1312 Flt and send it east. The HQ down there were in such a tizz about it that one day I received a phone call asking:
"If we lose the Herc, can the VC10 carry out Serach and Rescue ops?"
"Pardon?"
"For example, can the VC10 deploy ASRA kit?" (Air Sea Rescue Apparatus)
"Sir, the VC10 doors open outwards, we cannot open them in flight ..... unless we wish to do ourselves harm!"
"But if we lose the Herc the VC10 will
have to cover Search and Rescue!"
"No offence, Sir, but it isn't going to happen that way. The VC10 is a swept-wing, high speed, high altitude jet and we don't fanny about low and slow with the doors open!"
This is
not a bar tale, this is what was actually being asked of me ..... by the people in Malvinas HQ ..... who are supposed to know the capabilities of equipment in theatre ......ffs.
