TACEVAL Gutersloh, early 1980s. 230 Sqn hangar, very wet, windy morning. RAFG Sqn Ldr assessor on scene. Ongoing "inject" was a mains power cut. Huge standby generator trailer therefore running by the side of hangar, twenty metres from side door.
Shyt and crewman leave hangar by side door and notice a round, domed topped, olive green metal object lying in the grass right next to footpath by the door.
"Aha! An exercise IED", we both calmly agree.
We retreat, close the door and report back to Sqn Ops to pass on the good news. Flt Cdr sets suitable career enhancing response in motion, i.e. calls local RAF Regiment to expertly assess the threat. "Yep, it's actually a landmine!" The end of the hangar exit and path were cordoned off, offices rapidly vacated, etc. Huge disruption to preparations for Sqn deployment.
While this is going on, TACEVAL assessor reads notes and then announces quietly and slightly nervously (increased IRA threat around that period, including RAFG personnel having been shot dead):
"Er.. by the way....this isn't actually one of ours.......
!"
All further local TACEVAL injects totally disrupted. More RAF Regiment appear.
About two hours later the landmine was discovered to be the top off the air filter from the standby generator. It had vibrated loose, jumped off and the wind had blown it like a frisbee to the grass by the footpath.
