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Condolences to the friends and families of the dead and may those 9 rest in peace.
Fortunately the pros in the ADF ensure this sort of tragedy is rare in Australia. Nine military lives given a long way from home, assisting a country with military resources in excess of our own... I hope they understand the sacrifice which has been made. I do not want to hear, ever again, that bleating from northern neighbours about Aussie "attitude", "racism", "deputy sheriff syndrome", etc. I've had many a ride to/from wherever in the SeaKings and beers afterward with the crews. You'll be sadly missed guys. |
Yes itchy.
I think Indo as a whole is just starting to realise that we infidels actually wish the best for them. The stone-age culture (and that is in no way a statement of anything but fact) of the good and mostly Christain populus of Nias have for years embraced the Aussie surfer, many of whom I have flown in on F27s and CASAs belonging to Smac Air and of dubious serviceabilty. Medan - Gunungsitoli (MES GNS) was and is always an interesting flight sector by all accounts. Everybody loves the locals there. Those same locals helped the injured survivors after the crash, and did what they could God bless them. The new Quiksilver Crossing boat Indies Trader IV, owned and skippered by Martin Daly who is a valued client of mine is in the area, as in one of the original Indies ships that has been on station helping the locals after they lost an initial 300 on Boxing Day. What a bloody mess. Nine of our finest gone. I can only hope that a little of their essence remains on Nias to surf the perfect barrels of Lagundri Bay. EWL |
Both Paul Kimlin and Matt Goodall were ex Air Training Corps cadets from Canberra (15FLT, now 315SQN) and Sydney (2FLT, now 302SQN) respectively. I vaguely recall Paul but I remember Matt clearly from a couple of different occaisions. Nice Kid.
So sad. :( |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have lost some very close friends in this accident. My heart goes out to the family, friends and fellow Fleet Air Arm members.
It has been a tragic loss of life. Their efforts and the efforts of all those involved in the operation will never be forgotten. Kingy, Paul, Matty, Scotty and all involved, may you eternally rest in Peace. The effects of this tragedy will remain with me forever, I will always hold fond memories of our times at Albatross. |
What a tragedy!
ABC is now reporting that the Sea King fleet is also grounded. |
Lt Paul Kimlin recently gave an excellent lecture to the Sydney Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
He was an outstanding advertisement for the RAN. |
4greens - I was at that one as well. One of the better talks for the year IMHO.
Dreadful news to hear of the accident, for all concerned... |
So long Scotty, on behalf of all that knew and loved you, rest in peace mate, and to your brothers and sisters in arms, god speed to you all.
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Whilst I've already said my piece, I just thought that regardless of our past, present or future relations with Indonesia, their honouring of our fallen has done them a great deal of credit. It has certainly altered some of my preconceived ideas.
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Here Here Buster ..
They don't give those medals out lightly, so it was even more poignant I thought. Very hard for the families yesterday. I cried too. |
I just can't comprehend the magnitude of this, Seeing those coffins being taken of that Herc in Sydney was a sight I never want to see again. I can't even begin to imagine what those poor families are going through.
Kingy, I had a cold one for you last night. I also want every one to know what a great job George Macguire is doing as CO of HMAS Kanimbla. He is a good bloke who I have known since his first day at the RAN College some 18 years ago. This is his first Command of a big ship and I know he will help guide his crew through this tragedy. I am very proud of the courage you have shown big fella. RIP to all involved in that fatal flight of Shark 02 |
What I really admire is the crew for going back into action to pick up that investigator. That really is doing one's duty - when you may not want to, or feel like it, but you do it anyway. Goodonya, guys.
Such a sad loss of your friends is truly tragic. Brought tears to my eyes, seeing the footage of the arrival home yesterday. They will be remembered for their good work. :( Sky |
They bare the flag in our name... and carry the Aussie spirit all around the world. They must be comended for their triumphs and sacrifices. We ALL appreciate the work being done, and this tragic moment will not be soon forgotten.
R.I.P. |
The Herc Crew
Spare a few thoughts for the crew of the Hercules who brought their compatriots home. I know how they feel. My Hercules was tasked into Saigon one night in 1969 to onload unspecified cargo. My crew soon learned that we would be carrying 17 caskets back to Australia. No one, not having had the prolonged experience, can comprehend the mental anguish I and my crew suffered on that long haul back home and ever since. I guess the anguish converts to a form of PTSD. Thoughts of all those involved will make this Anzac day considerably more poignant to us veterans. |
I too have carried a casket with an Australian Soldier home to Australia by C130, in my case it was from East Timor.
I can say it was the quietest flight I have ever experienced on the Flight Deck of the C130. A very solemn flight indeed. There are a number of flights that will stay in my memory for a long time and that I believe is one of them. |
Flight control fault suspected in Sea King crash An interim report into last month's Sea King helicopter crash has found problems with the flight controls may have been responsible for the disaster. A team of 13 investigators has spent the last month combing through the wreckage from the crash on the island of Nias in Indonesia. Nine Australians die and two were injured while they were delivering earthquake aid. The Navy's Maritime Commander, Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt, has released initial details of the investigation revealing some evidence of mechanical problems in the flight controls of Sea King Shark-02. "The team inspected the mechanical flight control run from the cockpit through to the tail rotor gearbox," he told a news conference. "Two components of the flight control run which are normally connected were found to be detached from one another. "Several parts of the hardware that normally connect those two items together haven't been located." Rear Admiral Moffitt said the missing components could have been destroyed or might still be found. He stressed that the investigation is at a very early stage and the cause of the crash remains unresolved. A board of inquiry will also be convened to look into wider issues related to the crash. The Navy's fleet of six ageing Sea Kings will remain grounded. |
RIP Rimmer. G and I had a beer for you last weekend. Thinking of you.
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Slightly off topic, but in harmony with the comments on feelings and respect which occur in all armed services...some years ago I was one of a number of Kiwis at Tindal and was sought out by my CO, the resident RAAF MO, and a Police Sgt from Katherine because It seemed I was the only B Negative blood donor within a few hundred miles!
There had been a road accident involving an Aus Army truck, one dead, one seriously injured, and they wanted to know if I could donate a bit of my B NEg. Never any question about it, so off I go to Katherine in this cop car to the local hospital, and a briefing from a doctor about to operate on the survivor. It's very hot in Katherine, and this tiny little hospital and surgery was air-conditioned, so the surgeon/doctor asks how much can he have and I suggested he could take whatever he thought safe. Whatever it was, it wasn't enough, and the unfortunate soldier died. NExt day, back at Tindal and feeling the heat a bit, the Skippys tell me I'm off to Darwin for some R & R so I duly get ready for the flight and find I'm the only passenger with the coffin of the guy that died. I never knew his name, but I thought a lot about him on that flight I can tell you. Never had to buy a beer in Darwin though, word gets around! |
I'd buy you one too Samuel!:ok:
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reducing NR wrote
I too have carried a casket with an Australian Soldier home to Australia by C130, in my case it was from East Timor. |
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