whirlwind back at chiv

[flybeboy]

part of the reunion an ex 22 whirlwind har10 was present on Saturday it was put in the hangar have not seen it go quite a sight to see flying around again AnyBody no if they have anything planned for their last day Oct 01

[jimf671]

An inclusive and proactive approach to end of service events at RAF SAR Force Flights would be nice.

At each Flight, hundreds of former squadron members, SAR partners and rescued persons, feeling sadness and loss and passion about these simple administrative milestones, would give anything for a chance to show their appreciation of what has been achieved over many decades.

Perhaps, by the time it is Chivenor's turn, they will get their chance.

===========================

Final R137 crew.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/59398793@N03/16999943042/

[krypton_john]

Nice photos... especially the red AS350 in the second one.

[Shackman]

Nice to see that whilst the Yellow Fleet slowly sinks into the sunset with only minimal public acknowledgement from our lords and masters, and even that discouraged, the RN have BBC TV (live on Breakfast TV) et al at their disbandment.

[[email protected]]

As I understand it, the problem with the Lossie party was that it was widely publicised on an open Facebook page; not in itself an issue except that the venue was 'outside the wire' rather than on airfield so limited control of entry would have been possible.

Despite the RAF SAR Force being on the periphery of the military (hence being dumped by MoD) that just makes a bunch of guys and girls in uniform a very easy target in these days of extremism.

Apparently the issue ruined the weekend of a 2-star (shouldn't have worked so hard at school):) but the decision to cancel the party was probably the correct one. As it happened, people who weren't under the command of the mil still went for a few beers anyway at the planned venue.

I suspect that any other planned events will be inside the wire to avoid similar censure.

As for 771 - brave boys and girls but why does the minor player in UKSAR always have the loudest voice??

[jimf671]

As I understand it, the problem with the Lossie party was that it was widely publicised on an open Facebook page; not in itself an issue except that the venue was 'outside the wire' rather than on airfield so limited control of entry would have been possible.

In late 2014, with no suggestion of venues outside the wire, SAR Force was already either shy or indifferent about an event to mark the end of service.

Apparently the issue ruined the weekend of a 2-star ...

Really? Only 2? :E

I suspect that any other planned events will be inside the wire to avoid similar censure.

There would have been plenty room to do something in the new mess at Lossiemouth. After all, the preference for takeaway pizza over PAYD leaves it largely empty. :ugh:

As for 771 - brave boys and girls but why does the minor player in UKSAR always have the loudest voice??

They don't have the final say of course. Final end of service is 31 March 2016 at RAF Mount Pleasant and Kinloss Barracks.

[Wander00]

I am not a former SAR person but I for one am sad that it seems the RAF SAR service will be allowed to just fade away. I have had the pleasure of being a customer by way of dinghy drills and, as a stude at Valley, being a live target for SARTU. I also had the privilege of flying with them when I was doing (groan) Command Accounts Inspections at Valley in the late 80s (only way I could get in to look at the SARTU non public funds!). So on behalf of all, thanks guys and girls for a job extraordinarily well done over very many years. You can truly sign the auth sheets "DCO".

[Oldsarbouy]

Had the privilege of a flight in XJ729 at Chivenor on Sunday which brought back all the memories of two fantastic tours there in the 70's including quite a few jobs in this particular aircraft. The cabin seemed so small after the Wessex and Sea King and it was difficult to imagine where all the kit was stowed and still left room for a stretcher when needed. Big thanks to Andrew, the owner, not only for the flight but also for keeping this grand old girl looking so good and the promise of flying her for as long as possible at his own expense, well done from all of us old sarbouys. Quite soon this will be the only yellow helicopter still flying in UK skies, not bad for a machine built in 1955! :D

[jimf671]

... but why does the minor player in UKSAR always have the loudest voice??

I think I have got to the bottom of that mystery Crab.

The text size to SO MUCH BIGGER on their website.