Dear all.
I am indeed Lewis Gaylard, middle initial M for Mark. Don't worry, I have had others ask if 'Gaylard' is a real name....
I certainly don't think I was inflammatory in the comments I made, I certainly did not intend to offend anyone.
My remarks concerning 'Cougar 12' was based on info I had been given, but not allowed to use, for a different magazine article.
When 'Cougar 12' was in the 'Work-up' phase off Plymouth Sound RAF Chinooks turned up 2 days late citing 'Bad Weather'.....later during the 'Corsican Lion' and 'Albanian Lion' phases the same RAF Chinooks refused to embark to HMS Illustrious or HMS Bulwark, again citing bad weather. I understand that an order from above was given so the said Chinooks eventually embarked. Bare in mind that while the Chinooks were not present the combined helicopters of the FAA and AAC were all operating as normal.
So this is where I based my 'Up their game' comment.
And before you ask, the info I received came from within the RAF not from a biased naval/army source.
I hope this clarifies things....
