Herc Down (Merged)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
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From the guys who fly in the back, guided by our aircrew brothers and sisters.
We always respect you. We feel your loss as our loss. Our thoughts are with you all.
Per Ardua
We always respect you. We feel your loss as our loss. Our thoughts are with you all.
Per Ardua
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Middle East
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I am not RAF although my Uncle and my cousin were. However, I do live in the Middle East and I meet many serving personnel.
My condolences to all the families and colleagues touched by this tragic event. There are still many people out there who cherish and respect our armed forces and the sacrifices they make for us and our families.
Per Ardua ad Astra - anyone in or coming to DXB is welcome to come and raise a glass in remembrance with me.
My condolences to all the families and colleagues touched by this tragic event. There are still many people out there who cherish and respect our armed forces and the sacrifices they make for us and our families.
Per Ardua ad Astra - anyone in or coming to DXB is welcome to come and raise a glass in remembrance with me.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Wiltshire
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I have felt sufficiently moved by this sad incident to register to post on here.
Although not in the military I have spent many hours on Alberts, particularly 179, over the last 5 years or so.
My thoughts and prayers are with those brave aviators and soldier who lost their lives doing what they loved, their families, friends, colleagues and the wider family at Lyneham.
God bless you.
Although not in the military I have spent many hours on Alberts, particularly 179, over the last 5 years or so.
My thoughts and prayers are with those brave aviators and soldier who lost their lives doing what they loved, their families, friends, colleagues and the wider family at Lyneham.
God bless you.
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Lincs
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Deepest sympathy to all those touched by this tragedy; I feel your pain, having been too close, too often. It still hurts. Please take some comfort from the knowledge that your loved ones were part of a worthy endeavour, forged by men and women of conviction and courage. Forget the politics and the media angles: an entire nation took the first breath of freedom on Sunday – I hope that one day they will acknowledge their debt to the fallen. Per Ardua.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Scotland
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Have been reading the thread daily from my office in the Balkans and I am not too proud to say I have shed a few tears. From the Balkans and the many far flung places around the world,we respect and honour you guys greatly.
Deepest sympathy to all involved.
We salute you and your families.
Per ardua
Deepest sympathy to all involved.
We salute you and your families.
Per ardua
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Cambridgeshire
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Our deepest condolences to all those touched by this tragic loss. At times like this I count myself so fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve with so many characters at Lyneham and down-route - they will be greatly missed.
From one no longer serving Albert engineer and his long-suffering (but still serving) wife.
From one no longer serving Albert engineer and his long-suffering (but still serving) wife.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
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Andy P,
Fond memories of you rigged out in that yellow chicken suit. Regardless of the fancy dress theme you always seemed to wear the bloody thing.
I don't think I ever saw you without a smile on your face. A top guy who personified happiness.
It was a pleasure to have known you, and the world is a lesser place without you.
God bless
Fond memories of you rigged out in that yellow chicken suit. Regardless of the fancy dress theme you always seemed to wear the bloody thing.
I don't think I ever saw you without a smile on your face. A top guy who personified happiness.
It was a pleasure to have known you, and the world is a lesser place without you.
God bless
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Lincs
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To the families of all involved, my family and I wish to offer our heartfelt condolences. Words can not do justice to the grief you must be feeling, and I feel only a part of yours, but it is terrible nonetheless.
Take comfort in the kind words posted on this thread, I hope your pain eases with time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
In sorrow, Bootflap and family.
'Keep a cold one ready for me boys.'
Take comfort in the kind words posted on this thread, I hope your pain eases with time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
In sorrow, Bootflap and family.
'Keep a cold one ready for me boys.'
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Scotland
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I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where aircrew 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 aircrew 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
Where aircrew 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 aircrew 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
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Lyneham
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My condolences to all families and friends stricken by their tragic loss. I flew with Smudge a couple of times, an absolute diamond of a guy, as for Rich Brown and Bob O'Connor, countless times and both were an absolute credit to the GE fraternity, the others I knew in passing but one thing I knew implicitly they were all top operators and more importantly truly nice guys - for my part these guys are irreplaceable, but you will never be forgotten. RIP guys.
Phil
LXX ALM
Phil
LXX ALM
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: UK
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As an ex-LXX pilot who worked closely with many of these guys and having shed a tear or two reading these fine sentiments, I thought I'd add my own.
I lost my brother in similar circumstances several years ago, but I can assure that these fine guys are gone only in body. Their memory will live on in our hearts until it is our time to join them again. Its good to remember.
I knew Steady, Gary and Gibbo and spent many fine and fun times with them. Fond memories indeed.
My thoughts are with the families and friends.
I lost my brother in similar circumstances several years ago, but I can assure that these fine guys are gone only in body. Their memory will live on in our hearts until it is our time to join them again. Its good to remember.
I knew Steady, Gary and Gibbo and spent many fine and fun times with them. Fond memories indeed.
My thoughts are with the families and friends.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: UK
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Sincere condolences to all the families involved. Knew or flew with 4 of them at various times. The very best people to have by your side. May they all rest in peace.
I don't think a free drink could ever be as hard for me to swallow as that first pint in the Mess on Monday. Hopefully there won't be another quite as difficult.
Smudge - Your friends miss you. The corridor will be a lot quieter place without you, especially singing along really badly to Rapper's Delight at the top of your voice!
I don't think a free drink could ever be as hard for me to swallow as that first pint in the Mess on Monday. Hopefully there won't be another quite as difficult.
Smudge - Your friends miss you. The corridor will be a lot quieter place without you, especially singing along really badly to Rapper's Delight at the top of your voice!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: On my own planet most of the time
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Knew most of them - top blokes to a man.
Nearly 400 posts and 120,000 views in 3 days says it all.
RIP chaps.
LG(47)
Nearly 400 posts and 120,000 views in 3 days says it all.
RIP chaps.
LG(47)
Last edited by Load Gone; 2nd Feb 2005 at 14:11.
Join Date: Feb 2005
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I have many great memories from my time at Lyneham and an awful lot of them involved Steady and Gary. Two of lifes real characters. Gone but not forgotten.. Condolences to the families of all those involved.
Bonker
Bonker
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Having recently left the Squadron, it seems hard to imagine that we will never again hear Gary Nick's dulcit tones uttering "You monkey!" or see Pards setting off down the Bund Road well-lubricated on his bicycle.
However, having had the priviledge of knowing them during my last tour, the Squadron's loss is a fraction of that which these men's (not just Gary & Pards but Smudge, Steady and Gibbo) families will have to endure.
They were not only the finest aircrew, but were also dedicated fathers, loving partners and good friends. My thoughts are with all who knew them.
You'll be missed guys; I'll see you in a better place one day! Keep a Guinness (and maybe a even a Mince-Pie) on ice for me.
However, having had the priviledge of knowing them during my last tour, the Squadron's loss is a fraction of that which these men's (not just Gary & Pards but Smudge, Steady and Gibbo) families will have to endure.
They were not only the finest aircrew, but were also dedicated fathers, loving partners and good friends. My thoughts are with all who knew them.
You'll be missed guys; I'll see you in a better place one day! Keep a Guinness (and maybe a even a Mince-Pie) on ice for me.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Front room
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I can't really add much more to the comments and condolences already posted. All will be sadly missed by anybody fortunate enough to have shared a flightdeck or sun-downer with them outside a basher in Akrotiri.
Gibbo will always be remembered by me as a devoted husband and father, always sporting a large grin. Never afraid to try a demon shot on the golf course. Didnt work more often then not, but gave myself and Tom H a right old laugh.
God bless to all.
Gibbo will always be remembered by me as a devoted husband and father, always sporting a large grin. Never afraid to try a demon shot on the golf course. Didnt work more often then not, but gave myself and Tom H a right old laugh.
God bless to all.