I had it rough. Out of all the crewmen on 230 Sqn, I got the **** job of being on the VIP Puma! I was crewed with MW (Handle mustache+bar) as pilot, and we had 2 weeks flying brass around. Not one smelly troop of any nation did we lift. God it was hard!
Highlight for me: we were carrying Gen Leopold Chalupa (German huge cheese) to a demo of some sort, along with hid Brit host/klingon, a half colonel I think. We arrive on the time, but we see wires across the landing zone. MW orbits, and we choose a muddy field about 100m away and land. Lt Col turns purple- the Gen will get his immaculate boots dirty, not acceptable. Just before MW puts him in his box, The Gen says, "Ve are solchers, ve vill valk- Komme!" He then thanked us both sincerely and strode off toward the demo. Proper soldier and gent.
Recall the scale of the exercise was huuuuge.
CG