Boscastle Rescues
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Boscastle awards
I would like to pass on my congratulations to all the crews, of whatever cadre, honoured for Boscastle over the last year. Most recently the FAA crew by GAPAN, the award dinner is an excellent event and the Guild only ever honours those that they feel truly deserve it. It is a shame that certain fellow members of the SAR community feel the need to "rant" about who deserves what award and what they did to receive it compared to others. I’m sure that the crew of 193 feel slightly embarrassed about all the media attention that has followed in the last 14 months and did not ask or expect any of it. Reading the letters of thanks from those rescued was probably thanks enough. The simple fact that the crew were also put forward for military awards without their knowledge and that the final decision was made by representatives from all 3 services speaks volumes.
We all agree that hovering over a house is not difficult. The situation facing 193 that day, near zero vis, intercom failure, a flooded aircraft and people needing rescuing, obviously made hovering, manoeuvring and especially winching extremely difficult. The fact that 193 were able to rescue people at all that day was surely only achievable by total crew cooperation and good leadership by the Aircraft Commander.
Believe that the Aircraft Commander was also the “winch op” for that day: but of course you already knew that crab@SAA.
BZ to all involved.
We all agree that hovering over a house is not difficult. The situation facing 193 that day, near zero vis, intercom failure, a flooded aircraft and people needing rescuing, obviously made hovering, manoeuvring and especially winching extremely difficult. The fact that 193 were able to rescue people at all that day was surely only achievable by total crew cooperation and good leadership by the Aircraft Commander.
Believe that the Aircraft Commander was also the “winch op” for that day: but of course you already knew that crab@SAA.
BZ to all involved.
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I spent almost 40 year in light blue and had an almost child-like admiration for those that worked the yellow budgie or equivalent. So much did I admire [and envy?] the SAR force that I tried on several occasions to crossover to rotary, with the hope of joining that elite bunch.
Honours and awards are a fickle thing at the best of times [it took me a year to get a citation for an AFC approved for a worthy individual]. It saddens me that there is even 1 adverse comment about an award made to the most worthy part of the Armed Forces.
This thread should have been full of BZ [to use the American expression] for the crew that received the award. They know who did what and were probably embarrassed to have been singled out in this way.
Can we please stop this bickering, accept the awards lottery and agree that all did a magnificent life-saving job, no matter who got a citation from the most prestigeous body in aviation...
FJJP
Honours and awards are a fickle thing at the best of times [it took me a year to get a citation for an AFC approved for a worthy individual]. It saddens me that there is even 1 adverse comment about an award made to the most worthy part of the Armed Forces.
This thread should have been full of BZ [to use the American expression] for the crew that received the award. They know who did what and were probably embarrassed to have been singled out in this way.
Can we please stop this bickering, accept the awards lottery and agree that all did a magnificent life-saving job, no matter who got a citation from the most prestigeous body in aviation...
FJJP
ddsd200-7 - you're not from 771 NAS by any chance are you?
It is not sour grapes on my part, although I was first on scene I did only the first rescue, our second standby, 170, did the lions share of the rescuing.
Someone somewhere in the Navy hierarchy took an unequal view on who did what and who deserved what, not me. They decided to recommend AFCs when the RAF didn't and that is my beef - the crew of 170 deserved at least as much praise as 193 - how pi88ed off do you think they feel as others are paraded as the 'Heroes of Boscastle'. If the RN were going to write their crew up for medals, why didn't they have the decency to inform the RAF.
I am all for praising those who receive awards when those awards are justified by their actions and not by a PR machine out of control.
It is not sour grapes on my part, although I was first on scene I did only the first rescue, our second standby, 170, did the lions share of the rescuing.
Someone somewhere in the Navy hierarchy took an unequal view on who did what and who deserved what, not me. They decided to recommend AFCs when the RAF didn't and that is my beef - the crew of 170 deserved at least as much praise as 193 - how pi88ed off do you think they feel as others are paraded as the 'Heroes of Boscastle'. If the RN were going to write their crew up for medals, why didn't they have the decency to inform the RAF.
I am all for praising those who receive awards when those awards are justified by their actions and not by a PR machine out of control.
"They decided to recommend AFCs when the RAF didn't and that is my beef - the crew of 170 deserved at least as much praise as 193 - how pi88ed off do you think they feel as others are paraded as the 'Heroes of Boscastle'. If the RN were going to write their crew up for medals, why didn't they have the decency to inform the RAF."
Since when did any of the Services have to inform each other that they were going to push for awards?
I can only assume that this time the RAF PR machine fell down.
Since when did any of the Services have to inform each other that they were going to push for awards?
I can only assume that this time the RAF PR machine fell down.
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What a load of ........
The real heros are the engineeing staff at Chiv and Culdrose for managing to get so many servicable cabs in the air at the same time. Yes tongue is in cheek, but come on guys you forget that SAR is a team effort and those who present you crews with an aircraft deserve to be remembered too. Not to mention the CG, Fire brigade, air ambulance, ambulance, police,.......
Getting medals for doing your job........ its not like someone was being shot at.
The real heros are the engineeing staff at Chiv and Culdrose for managing to get so many servicable cabs in the air at the same time. Yes tongue is in cheek, but come on guys you forget that SAR is a team effort and those who present you crews with an aircraft deserve to be remembered too. Not to mention the CG, Fire brigade, air ambulance, ambulance, police,.......
Getting medals for doing your job........ its not like someone was being shot at.
Timex, the RAF SARFHQ talked to the RN and agreed the policy that only the winchmen would get awards - then the RN changed their mind (an over-egged write up perhaps) and went for medals.
The RAF PR machine is the one that got all the footage onto the TV.
Droopystop - you are absolutely correct.
The RAF PR machine is the one that got all the footage onto the TV.
Droopystop - you are absolutely correct.
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Crab
I was under the impression that a quote “Major Incident” was any event whose impact cannot be handled within routine service arrangements. It requires the implementation of special procedures by one or more of the emergency services, the NHS, or a Local Authority to respond to it. unquote.
But of course you already knew that Crab....week one, day one basic SAR protocols really!
URL=http://http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/EmergencyPlanning/EmergencyPlanningArticle/fs/en?CONTENT][/URL] refers
Lucky then that the “Swiftwater Rescue International Award" is not a medal (sure looks like one on the website though)[
the RN declared a "major incident" which it wasnt
But of course you already knew that Crab....week one, day one basic SAR protocols really!
URL=http://http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/EmergencyPlanning/EmergencyPlanningArticle/fs/en?CONTENT][/URL] refers
Frankly Stan, I would feel cheap if someone pinned a medal to my chest when it wasn't deserved
Last edited by ddsd200-7; 3rd Nov 2005 at 22:09.
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Crab@SAAV - U R a bitter and twisted soul. I would guess at many years man and boy, seen a bit of action but not as much as you'd have liked and feel worthy of more recognition than the Service has seen fit to bestow upon you. Welcome to my world too but I don't begrudge those who have been honoured.
Makes a change for the RN to get some good rescue PR, and well deserved. And what is this perception you have of the childish, schoolboy antics being played. I won't write mine up if you won't write yours up. No wonder we can still hold our heads proud as the Senior Service whilst you play childish games.
And carry on watching with envy as I believe there R more honours/awards in the wings for R193, and rightly so.
And finally if all you can bleat about is that they got in the way, and didn't assume OSC as declared then were is your CLM to take charge and get them out of the way - missing obviously!! Hence they struggled on and were awarded not U!!
Rant over.
R193 - good effort and well done.
Makes a change for the RN to get some good rescue PR, and well deserved. And what is this perception you have of the childish, schoolboy antics being played. I won't write mine up if you won't write yours up. No wonder we can still hold our heads proud as the Senior Service whilst you play childish games.
And carry on watching with envy as I believe there R more honours/awards in the wings for R193, and rightly so.
And finally if all you can bleat about is that they got in the way, and didn't assume OSC as declared then were is your CLM to take charge and get them out of the way - missing obviously!! Hence they struggled on and were awarded not U!!
Rant over.
R193 - good effort and well done.
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Crab
When I replied to your post on 27th Oct, I thought I might have been a tad harsh.
Thankfully your subsequent posts have disbused me of that notion and I realise that I was far too reserved in my observation regarding your posts.
Your posts do neither you nor your service any credit but then I suppose we must indulge the comments as you are merely a product of Cranwell and your system and underneth the insecurities you are probably a nice bloke but just misguided by a service that considers non-fast jet flyers as worthless and non fixed wing as scum. With that sort of baggage I can only pity you and treat your coments with the sympathy normally reserved for the intellectually challenged members of our society.
Regards
Stan
When I replied to your post on 27th Oct, I thought I might have been a tad harsh.
Thankfully your subsequent posts have disbused me of that notion and I realise that I was far too reserved in my observation regarding your posts.
Your posts do neither you nor your service any credit but then I suppose we must indulge the comments as you are merely a product of Cranwell and your system and underneth the insecurities you are probably a nice bloke but just misguided by a service that considers non-fast jet flyers as worthless and non fixed wing as scum. With that sort of baggage I can only pity you and treat your coments with the sympathy normally reserved for the intellectually challenged members of our society.
Regards
Stan
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Stan,
Steady on old boy!!! That's a bit of a rash generalisation isn't it!!
Take as much umbrage with Crab as you like, but please don't go blaming Cranwell and "The System" for indoctrinating everyone who passes through with the same attitude! Not all of us have the same attitude and opinions as Mr Crab.
Why have I been the mediator in my last few posts???!!!. Very unlike me!!
Steady on old boy!!! That's a bit of a rash generalisation isn't it!!
Take as much umbrage with Crab as you like, but please don't go blaming Cranwell and "The System" for indoctrinating everyone who passes through with the same attitude! Not all of us have the same attitude and opinions as Mr Crab.
Why have I been the mediator in my last few posts???!!!. Very unlike me!!
Cool Mod
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I somehow regret bringing this thread back to life. I didn't imagine it would result in a slanging match between the RN and RAF. The system for awards is quite obviously lacking but I suppose we should be thankful that Rescue 193 now carries the honours for all. At least, that it what I like to think.
I think I will close the thread and hope that anyone who demonstrates courage beyond the call will henceforth be recognised.
I think I will close the thread and hope that anyone who demonstrates courage beyond the call will henceforth be recognised.
