British Helicopter Crash in Iraq

[DodgyOpsGuy]

Sky News just had breaking news on a Britsh Military Puma crash in Iraq. News came courtesy of AP.

Initial news reports one fatality.

Thoughts with them all



http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1143828,00.html

[Rude C'man]

Just seen the Sky news flash , MOD announced a Puma crashed , as reported already 1 x 'Soldier' dead, my thought are with them hope the crew are all ok . As to date no reports on how or why ? be careful out there boys keep your heads down


http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1143828,00.html

[SandChopper]

Let's spare a thought for the families of those involved and wait until the facts are known before continuiing this......

[teeteringhead]

Yes indeed SandChopper.

Usual thoughts, prayers and condolences, let's hope for more than usual restraint unless/until facts are known......

[WASALOADIE]

Condolences to the families in these anxious times. Respect to the rest of the forces out there.

[Ops and Mops]

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-13161328,00.html

Another mate gone......:(

My heartfelt condolences to Kris's family, friends and colleagues. A sad day both in theatre and back at Benson.

Really at a loss as to what to say.......Bloody nice bloke......

RIP fella

[Eagle 270]

Damn.

Condolences to the family. What a terrible loss.

To all those at Benson too.

[6foottanker]

Another top bloke lost in an accident. We'll miss you Kris.
Thought with friends and family.

From a fellow Red Dragon

[john morrin]

Kris was one of my students on Wales UAS. I'm very sad that he has lost his life in such a tragic way.

I will remember him as dedicated pilot who always strived to improve his performance.

My sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends, on behalf of all Red Dragons.

John Morrin

[SandChopper]

I flew with Kris at Shawbury and then when he joined 230 Sqn in Northern Ireland - a good man who will be missed.

Condolences to his family.

[Feck]

Bugger.

So long Kris. Your warmth and generosity will be sorely missed.

Never could a man sing "Dragons, dragons, ra ra etc" so enthusiastically off-key.

:(

[helidriver]

My condolences to family, friends and colleagues.

Although i'm AAC I knew Kris from NI and Iraq. I have fond memories of him at Omagh whilst spending many 48 hours duties together in the TSW shack. His crew-room banter was well on par and will be sorely missed.

Deeply gutted for all.

Regards, NP

[FFP]

I too knew Kris.

Words fail me. One of the nicest guys you could ever meet.

My thoughts are with his family and all those that knew him.

[Big Hook]

Another Good Egg gone,

heartfelt thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Lets not forget the rest of his crew and wish them a speedy recovery.

:(

[Trumpet_trousers]

...survivors currently being well looked after at a hospital 'somewhere in central UK.'

...RIP Kris

[SVK]

Kris

A fella you could always count on to give you a grin.
A guy who was always there with hepful tips for us younger members of UWAS.

A true Red Dragon if ever there was one.

My sincere sympathies to his family, friends and close colleagues.

RIP Mate

[seven4mankind]

Devastated to hear the news. A lovely man, with such a refreshing balance between his job and the rest of his life.
Another good friend lost.
Condolences to bereaved family.
I am really at a loss for words....

RIP Kris

[seafuryfan]

I flew with Kris during his time with the Tigers.

Such a nice guy, who always had time for others- even if he was chin-strapped. Words fail you FFP, but I'm sure you'll remember that if there's one thing that Kris was never short of, it was the old 'chat'.

RIP

[FJJP]

I didn't know Kris, but I can feel for his family and friends. It's always a sad day when you lose someone you work with, more especially in the Forces, where we go through so much, with camaraderie to hold us together to get the job done.

My thoughts tonight are with the rotary world...

RiP my fellow flier.

[SASless]

Hats off here...head bowed....saying a prayer for him and his family. I hope I have as many good things said about me when I go as he did. Sounds like quite a guy! Makes the loss all the greater.

[The Swinging Monkey]

A tragic loss of someone who was just a 'bloody good bloke'

RIP Kris, we'll all miss you.

Thaughts and prayers to family
God Bless
The Swinging Monkey

[Amateur Aviator]

Wrote a note in my diary........

Simply said...........:mad:

Didn't know Kris that well, but well enough to know that I can't buy a top bloke another beer. Tragic loss.

'Nuff said

[pilot74]

Both on the same UAS together and kept in touch since.
A one of a kind, fantastic bloke who will be very sadly missed.
Our condolences to his family.
Paul and Becky.

[Pear Shape]

Only just tracked this down. Was also on UWAS with Kris and shocked to hear the news.

I'll always remember him as an incredibly genuine guy who was seemingly always cheerful. Even when we de-bagged him and threw him in the Moray Firth he still came out with a smile on his face.

A tragic loss - rest in peace Kris

[Flt Lt Spry]

So sad.

RIP Kris.

A fellow Red Dragon...

[TheBeeKeeper]

Never knew the guy, but thought this poem would be apt, taken from a book of aviation poetry called 'Because I Fly'

Flying West

I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management -type would e'er be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke!
The kind of a place where a lady could go,
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.
There MUST be a place where old pilots go, when
Their wings become weary, when their airspeed gets low;
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd "flown west" before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came thru the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if the thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then thru the mist you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen for years, though he'd taught YOU to fly,
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased you are here!
For this is the place where true flyers come,
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won;
We've come here at last, to be safe and afar,
From the government clerk, and the management czar,
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,
Where all Hours are Happy, and these good ol' boys,
Can relax with a 'cool one', and a well deserved rest.."
"This is Heaven, my son: You've passed your last check!"

RIP

TheBeeKeeper
(DH82b)

[TOBWARi]

As a contemporary Red Dragon I was gutted when I found out this morning about his tragic death. Kris had a heart of gold - my condolences to his family and Squadron oppos at this time.

I remember Kris as a fun yet conscientious chap who always saw the bright side, though it did take him a while to forgive me for the 'ring' game + forks incident at Swanton Morley!

Fly safe and I hope there were a good crop of "Red Dragons in the house tonight!" to say goodbye.

[Tiger_mate]

Attended the funeral today. The Padre quoted the PPrune comments above, along with the comment: From THE website!

Give Benson their due, they sent him off in a class act. Wont bring him back though, and for all that he could talk for Britain, he was an all round good egg and will be missed a lot on the Puma fleet, and from the previous comments he made a lot of friends along the way. The nature of the service today fitted the individual perfectly and included a well written obituary strongly read by his sister. The crews that did the "missing man" were faultless from where I was standing. Couldnt see the day out sadly, but I just know that there will be some serious bad heads in Wally world tomorrow. Concluding with the final verse read by his mum:

We will remember him: Au Revoir Kris

[sarboy w****r]

A service was held here in Basrah yesterday too, timed to coincide with the service held in the UK.

Kris has left a very large hole in a lot of people's lives.

Godspeed mate, RIP.

[Mandyluv]

I was one of Kris's closest friends. Been through 2 and a half years in Ireland with him, CR workup on 33 sqn and a few days of being in Iraq together. All I can say is that Kris was without doubt the most genuine nicest bloke that ever lived. His enthusiasm and zest for life puts us all to shame. I feel that part of me died with him that sad day but am fully dedicated to keeping his memory alive.

Sorely missed bloke, miss him walking into my boyfriends room insisting on a few beers, and then staying for a few hours! But through my tears I always smile when I think of him. Love you always Kris, M.