Between 19 August 94 and 11 September 94 Ascot 4792 (XV300) operated by a 47 SF Flight crew, deployed to support two exercises in the USA. One at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with 21 SAS and the other at 29 Palms, California with 22 SAS. Curiously our captain was the very chap mentioned by Gopher 01 previously as being recently acknowledged for his ability. I was one of the two Ground Engineers deployed with the aircraft, and crikey, was it a trip. Before the duo exercise support was commenced, we enjoyed an exchange visit with 8th SOS at Hurlbert field, who had the proud boast of dropping the worlds biggest conventional bomb, I think, the "Daisy cutter", we were given a great welcome and after a few drinks at the arrival barbie, a guided tour of their aircraft (they operated several versions of Albert including the AC130H and the MC130E Combat Talon). Our Co pilot was particularly interested in the latter which had the Fulton Recovery system fitted, though I believe at this time was defunct. We spent around 6 days there, both flying and socialising with some great fellow Albert operators. My main memory was the hole in one I managed during the golf "tournament", but flukes are not part of this story. It was arranged that our Co would get his wish to experience a Fulton recovery, and on the day before our departure for 29 Palms we headed to sea.
As I had it explained, many USAF and other military benefitted from being given boats and aircraft confiscated from drug smugglers, 8th SOS had a very powerful motor launch on which we set sail, and I was allocated to be the driver, so much for common sense, I had never driven a boat in my life. As we approached a small wooden jetty, to collect the wives of our hosting crew, it was obvious that my abilities as a boat driver were definitely limited. Thankfully the ladies ran away as I demolished their jetty. Having been replaced as steersman, and given a handful of Jim Beam and Coke, the ladies were boarded and we set off for a location just off Fort Walton beach. The game was afoot.
Fulton gear deployed
As we cruised toward the briefed point at sea, our Co Pilot was dressed in the Fulton suit and positioned on the bow of the boat, after which a "balloon", just like in the James Bond film, was attached to his harness and deployed a few hundred feet above us. As this was happening, the OC 8th SOS was in radio contact with the intended recovery aircraft. All the effects were there, location calls, identifying the target and a countdown to the actual hook up. I can't fault the Co pilot in his bravery at even thinking of doing that mental manoeuvre, but, as the aircraft flew in, we all thought we might be asking for a new Co soon. Of course, the whole thing was a wind up, as the recovery aircraft overflew to one side, a foot in the back of our Co pilot put him in the water, and I'm sure, we all breathed a sigh of relief. No doubt this was a well practised spoof by 8th SOS, but I'm damn sure we all thought it was about to happen. To this day I am full of admiration for the fact that the Co was quite happy to "have a go". Our Co at the time posts on PPRUNE so, if he reads this it might bring back a memory or two. The rest of the exercise went very well, transiting between Kentucky and California burned off some 110 hours or so, with some exhilarating low level flying, including a 2 hour NVG trip up the Mississippi river. Those were the days, or would it be daze?
Smudge
