Herc Down (Merged)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tracey Island
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Glad the boys are back home.
May I say how proud I am of the way that 47 Squadron and Lyneham have conducted themselves over this difficult time. Just superb, you are a credit to the fallen and the highest Service traditions.
It has renewed my faith in the military, and life itself.
I thought the pen pictures were really well done and drew another tear to my eye
http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/casualties.htm
May I say how proud I am of the way that 47 Squadron and Lyneham have conducted themselves over this difficult time. Just superb, you are a credit to the fallen and the highest Service traditions.
It has renewed my faith in the military, and life itself.
I thought the pen pictures were really well done and drew another tear to my eye
http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/casualties.htm
Short Blunt Shock
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: UK
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I just watched the boys being driven out of the camp in procession, a sight which has moved me, once again, to tears.
Many people lined the road outside the camp and down towards the village to pay their respects. A fitting tribute for a group of truly remarkable men.
In our thoughts, always.
RIP
16 Blades
Many people lined the road outside the camp and down towards the village to pay their respects. A fitting tribute for a group of truly remarkable men.
In our thoughts, always.
RIP
16 Blades
PB,
Tied myself in knots trying to write something meaningful and erudite, I know what I want to write but just can't seem to type the right things down, bo*~o#ks will have to suffice. So sad that it has ended this way.
To the rest of the crew, after reading all the posts here, it seems that as our paths have not crossed, it has been my complete loss. Gentleman I salute you all, RIP.
RF
Tied myself in knots trying to write something meaningful and erudite, I know what I want to write but just can't seem to type the right things down, bo*~o#ks will have to suffice. So sad that it has ended this way.
To the rest of the crew, after reading all the posts here, it seems that as our paths have not crossed, it has been my complete loss. Gentleman I salute you all, RIP.
RF
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire
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As a duvet technician (or blanket stacker) I would just like to add my sincerest condolences to the families and friends of those that perished.
Like so many others on here I am having trouble typing anything meaningful that hasn't already been expressed.
I spent 10 and a half wonderful years at Lyneham, 3 of those working directly alongside the crews and GE's in MSF. I knew several of those who died.
I have spent many occasions over the last week or so in tears for those who have been lost. I cannot know the pain their families are going through and although selfish I hope I never do. I can only hope that for them it eases with time and the knowledge that their loved ones were loved by many.
Like so many others on here I am having trouble typing anything meaningful that hasn't already been expressed.
I spent 10 and a half wonderful years at Lyneham, 3 of those working directly alongside the crews and GE's in MSF. I knew several of those who died.
I have spent many occasions over the last week or so in tears for those who have been lost. I cannot know the pain their families are going through and although selfish I hope I never do. I can only hope that for them it eases with time and the knowledge that their loved ones were loved by many.
Join Date: Feb 2005
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A peaceful and dignified homecoming. Well done Lyneham.
My thoughts are with their families on this saddest of days. I hope that some time in the not too distant future, memories of your loved ones will not always be accompanied by the pain and despair you must be feeling right now.
Reading this forum, it is clear that they were immensely popular and respected characters.
Truly sorry for your loss.
My thoughts are with their families on this saddest of days. I hope that some time in the not too distant future, memories of your loved ones will not always be accompanied by the pain and despair you must be feeling right now.
Reading this forum, it is clear that they were immensely popular and respected characters.
Truly sorry for your loss.
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lincs
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Not ashamed to say that I had a bl00dy good cry when I saw the guys return home. Well done Lyneham.
God Bless guys, we are all proud of you for what you were, what you did and the sacrifice you made.
TSM
God Bless guys, we are all proud of you for what you were, what you did and the sacrifice you made.
TSM
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Glowcesestershiiiire
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Thankyou to all involved for letting our boys come home to Lyneham yesterday. It was the right and proper thing do do.
P-T-G The C 17 crew were all ex herc guys. Must have been very hard for them. They did the boys proud.
P-T-G The C 17 crew were all ex herc guys. Must have been very hard for them. They did the boys proud.
Like higthepig, have read the thread from the beginning, I wanted so desperately to say something erudite/meaningful...but can't..bugger. My thoughts are with the families. Having just seen the crew photos I have just realised that Smudger was a stude on my first IOT Course...didn't have much to do with him, but I did mentor one of his 'Leads'. I remember him as having a keen sense of humour at functions...a sad loss.
HM Sausage-side
HM Sausage-side
Last edited by Hueymeister; 9th Feb 2005 at 16:07.
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Yesterday I watched the news and one of the most moving and sad things I have had to endure for a long time. the thing that made is worse was I went to a birthday party of one of our fellow ppruners a couple of weeks ago and met her lovely cousin. Yesterday I found out he lost 3 very close friends in this and is taking it really badly. I know what he is going through lost a good friend in an explosion in an aircraft 16 years ago at Lockerbie and that still haunts me. He was not found so the funeral was a memorial.
My deepest sympathies to the friends and families and rescue crews involved in all this and our tears are not shed in vain. They will be remembered on a poinent day in that countries history
Lets pray this is the last sad news but that is a wish I have for all those involved. I hope it comes true
TnT
My deepest sympathies to the friends and families and rescue crews involved in all this and our tears are not shed in vain. They will be remembered on a poinent day in that countries history
Lets pray this is the last sad news but that is a wish I have for all those involved. I hope it comes true
TnT
Join Date: Dec 1997
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I watched the boys' return on BBC News 24 yesterday, and it was one of the most moving things I've experienced in many years. The whole process was very well handled and Lyneham, The Royal Signals, The RAF Regt. and 99 Sqn did the boys proud. I understand the departure from Basrah was equally appropriate. Well done and thank you to all concerned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Just thought I'd add that Mrs BeauMan and I were at a Jim Davidson gig in Peterborough last night, and were both moved to tears when, in the middle of a very humorous story about our military vs the septics, he asked if anyone in the audience was in the Forces. Two chaps on the second row raised their hands, and identified themselves as RAF.
Without further ado, and with instant and genuine solemnity, Jim picked up his glass of water, and raised it "to the nine blokes who came home today. God Bless 'em." Rapturous applause from all, and a few tears from both Mrs BM and I. We weren't alone either.
Without further ado, and with instant and genuine solemnity, Jim picked up his glass of water, and raised it "to the nine blokes who came home today. God Bless 'em." Rapturous applause from all, and a few tears from both Mrs BM and I. We weren't alone either.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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I have not posted before now as like many I am deeply sadened by the loss. My thoughts are with the familys and friends who have lost dear ones.
In particular I will remember many a route with Bob and Richie. Excellent GEs. Esp breaking down at Partick AFB with 4 broken props (oops) and Bob e-mailing the pictures back to Lye. Bob also got me and my crew through the low pts of our month out East flying into Kabul.
We will remember them.
God Bless.
In particular I will remember many a route with Bob and Richie. Excellent GEs. Esp breaking down at Partick AFB with 4 broken props (oops) and Bob e-mailing the pictures back to Lye. Bob also got me and my crew through the low pts of our month out East flying into Kabul.
We will remember them.
God Bless.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Norwich, UK
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I, like many others, have read this thread from the start and was deeply saddened by the news.
Whilst I cannot relate any stories to you (only being 18 and not in the services), this thread has really hammered home what it means to serve, and I hope somebody reading it may appreciate my feelings.
Coming from a strong RAF family, with many family friends still serving, I hope to follow my parents in, and take more interest in what you all get up to wherever you are deployed in the world.
It is a shame it takes a loss such as this to bring to the forefront of our minds the danger which you face on a daily basis. Sometimes Joe-public (nice name...) forgets that behind the politics of if we should be there or not, there are people such as yourselves who are making us proud of our country, proud of our way of life, and proud of our forces.
Im not ashamed to admit I may have become rather tearful at some of the messages left here, and while this has been a very hard and unusual post to write, I felt I needed to contribute somehow.
Whilst I cannot relate any stories to you (only being 18 and not in the services), this thread has really hammered home what it means to serve, and I hope somebody reading it may appreciate my feelings.
Coming from a strong RAF family, with many family friends still serving, I hope to follow my parents in, and take more interest in what you all get up to wherever you are deployed in the world.
It is a shame it takes a loss such as this to bring to the forefront of our minds the danger which you face on a daily basis. Sometimes Joe-public (nice name...) forgets that behind the politics of if we should be there or not, there are people such as yourselves who are making us proud of our country, proud of our way of life, and proud of our forces.
Im not ashamed to admit I may have become rather tearful at some of the messages left here, and while this has been a very hard and unusual post to write, I felt I needed to contribute somehow.