RAF flies squaddie hom to see dying mum
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Lyneham
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I've been on both sides of it - more than once pulling out all the stops to get someone home and then as the passenger desperate to get to the other end.
As a crew, requesting short-cut after short-cut to get someone home, we were once cleared direct across France from one FIR boundary to the other while the French ATCers moved everyone else out of our way. The airfield nearest to where our passenger was going in UK stayed open just for us. I doubt he ever knew the efforts that had been made to get him home as fast as possible, he had other things on his mind.
On the other side I was on Op in Thumrait when I received a 'call' from home. The in-theatre 125 stood-to, started as soon as I stepped on board, took me to Muscat where a chap from the Embassy walked me through the departure procedure (I had no entry visa from the civvie side) until I went through into departures and joined a BA flight to Heathrow. At the other end a driver from home-base met me and asked if I'd like to go to the base and collect my car or straight home. I went straight home. After receiving the call at 4pm UK time in Thumrait I walked into my living room at 6.30am the next morning. I cannot express how grateful I still am for the 'service'.
From both sides, we do the comp case very well. The reassurance that gives when serving away from home is immeasurable.
As a crew, requesting short-cut after short-cut to get someone home, we were once cleared direct across France from one FIR boundary to the other while the French ATCers moved everyone else out of our way. The airfield nearest to where our passenger was going in UK stayed open just for us. I doubt he ever knew the efforts that had been made to get him home as fast as possible, he had other things on his mind.
On the other side I was on Op in Thumrait when I received a 'call' from home. The in-theatre 125 stood-to, started as soon as I stepped on board, took me to Muscat where a chap from the Embassy walked me through the departure procedure (I had no entry visa from the civvie side) until I went through into departures and joined a BA flight to Heathrow. At the other end a driver from home-base met me and asked if I'd like to go to the base and collect my car or straight home. I went straight home. After receiving the call at 4pm UK time in Thumrait I walked into my living room at 6.30am the next morning. I cannot express how grateful I still am for the 'service'.
From both sides, we do the comp case very well. The reassurance that gives when serving away from home is immeasurable.
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Been involved on both sides.
I was woken by my boss and given the bad news. Before this, however, car had been prepared, money was had and I just got dressed took envelope with money and sped to Frankfurt and great speed. Lufthansa held ac to LHR for me and as soon as I parked my bum on a spare crew seat we were off. Straight through customs, car waiting and I was at my brothers bedside in time to say my last goodbye. Subsequently, my brothers staish lent me his car and driver for personal admin.
Wake up call to bedside about 5 hrs. After 25 years I am still grateful.
I was woken by my boss and given the bad news. Before this, however, car had been prepared, money was had and I just got dressed took envelope with money and sped to Frankfurt and great speed. Lufthansa held ac to LHR for me and as soon as I parked my bum on a spare crew seat we were off. Straight through customs, car waiting and I was at my brothers bedside in time to say my last goodbye. Subsequently, my brothers staish lent me his car and driver for personal admin.
Wake up call to bedside about 5 hrs. After 25 years I am still grateful.
....and that's how it should be. Xmas Eve, AKRO to LYE told of Comp A to Lye. "Where's his family?" said I. "Germany" said AKRO. "Ring Gotersloh - we'll drop him off there" said I. "They'll be closed". "Bet they stay open - just try" said I - and they did and we watched the soldier get off the aircraft straight into the car. Probably the most rewarding thing i did in 20 yrs!
What Limits
I believe it was even too bad for the Islan-Dare!!
BA and Brit Mid were not flying at that silly time, Puma was 'tech', no Chinook, Lynx or screaming sperm......finally, duty auth came to the 813 crew who had been sitting in the corner of flight planning room drinking heaps of coffee (Red Bull wasn't invented then) and gave them the Rescue 140 callsign to do with it what we may. Engineers bolted in the HF set for comms and waved us on our way...................
Now that was why I enjoy helicopters.
I believe it was even too bad for the Islan-Dare!!
BA and Brit Mid were not flying at that silly time, Puma was 'tech', no Chinook, Lynx or screaming sperm......finally, duty auth came to the 813 crew who had been sitting in the corner of flight planning room drinking heaps of coffee (Red Bull wasn't invented then) and gave them the Rescue 140 callsign to do with it what we may. Engineers bolted in the HF set for comms and waved us on our way...................
Now that was why I enjoy helicopters.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: perth
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I have just read all the interesting notes on this page and would like to add my sincere gratitude to the guys and girls who pulled out all the stops to get me home after a serious RTA on exercise in poland. It was wonderful to see a familiar airframe, and even though I had just been jabbed with my latest dose of morphine, I was still able to recognise the friendly, proffessional crew and breath a sigh of relief that I knew I was in safe hands! Thanks again to everyone-it was very much appreciated. Unfortunately, I didn't recover well enough to continue serving, but I enjoyed the time I did serve- well done everyone!
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Whist on det at Leuchars (TLT) in 98, my estranged wife made a call to my Squadron to say my son had been hospitalised and wasn't sure of how serious it was because the doctors wouldn't say.
The Lineys prepped a tonka, one of the Navs and a Pilot plotted a flight plan to Lyneham,
spoke to the relevant Opsies and a sortie was happening within 45 minutes of the call. Strapped into the back seat and was flown straight into Lyneham.
Shut down at LYE and got out of the back seat and straight into the taxi that the Sqn Scribbly had sorted out.
Got to hospital to find out that my son was OK.
The Comp system was bypassed, but it was good to see just how much the Sqn cared about its' blokes and how they pulled the stops out for one of their own.
Thanks guys.
Exleckie
PS, DON'T FORGET THE COMP SYSTEM IS THERE FOR YOU, I was just lucky that the Sqn was aclose knit family.
The Lineys prepped a tonka, one of the Navs and a Pilot plotted a flight plan to Lyneham,
spoke to the relevant Opsies and a sortie was happening within 45 minutes of the call. Strapped into the back seat and was flown straight into Lyneham.
Shut down at LYE and got out of the back seat and straight into the taxi that the Sqn Scribbly had sorted out.
Got to hospital to find out that my son was OK.
The Comp system was bypassed, but it was good to see just how much the Sqn cared about its' blokes and how they pulled the stops out for one of their own.
Thanks guys.
Exleckie
PS, DON'T FORGET THE COMP SYSTEM IS THERE FOR YOU, I was just lucky that the Sqn was aclose knit family.
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Well, guys and gals
As the bloke that runs the new Joint Cas & Comp Centre - I hope we are living up to the standards set by our predecessors.
No-one ever mentions the DTMA Comp Travel Cell - who organise all you plucky aviators to go this way or that for us or indeed hire charters/do civair bookings and the rest - they have to be the best Travel Agency in the World - bar none - when it comes to Comps.
Yes we still have A, B and C - but it's just one contact number now 24 hrs/day 365 a year no matter what Service you're in.
Hope you or the Rellies never have to call - but we'll do our best!
As the bloke that runs the new Joint Cas & Comp Centre - I hope we are living up to the standards set by our predecessors.
No-one ever mentions the DTMA Comp Travel Cell - who organise all you plucky aviators to go this way or that for us or indeed hire charters/do civair bookings and the rest - they have to be the best Travel Agency in the World - bar none - when it comes to Comps.
Yes we still have A, B and C - but it's just one contact number now 24 hrs/day 365 a year no matter what Service you're in.
Hope you or the Rellies never have to call - but we'll do our best!
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Having unfortunately been the recipient of Comp B repatriation and assisted in many compassionate cases for others (by flying my Gazelle to the steps of the waiting jet at Hannover or Dusseldorf Airport for the individual to fly back to Blighty), I think the mil compassionate system is nothing short of excellent. The only rider is that you must give it a chance to work as any attempt to circumvent the system causes confusion and delay.
I have been out of the green romper suit for 5 years now but I hope that defence cuts etc will not affect this jewel in the crown of the mil welfare system.
I have been out of the green romper suit for 5 years now but I hope that defence cuts etc will not affect this jewel in the crown of the mil welfare system.
Last edited by Curtis E Carr; 20th Feb 2006 at 19:03.
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I recall a Comp A going from MPN to Wick..
Started at MPN in a Falcon bizjet that was chartered, flown to Rio De Janiero, onto CDG then LHR. 125 from 32 Sqn flew LHR to Wick airport. THe duty manager then took Comp A to final dest in his car.
Also most challenging one, getting a Ghurka from MPN to Nepal. Job was done with help of several agencies...
The story of Concorde being used is legendary, not sure if any truth in it..but is there any value on human life ?? i think not !! so maybe Concorde was used....
I know chartering a bizjet aint cheap...maybe a 1 way ticket on Concorde was cheap by comparison though..
I'm sure even with another round of defence cuts, the Comp system will always be there..
The grades of Comp were A, B and C... IIRC ??
Comp A was to be moved ASAP, at public expense
Comp B was to be moved within 24hrs at public expense
These were for the more serious problems ie..family member VSI..
Comp C was actually high priority indulgence passenger..
This was not paid for at public expense. Cant remember the wording for it now, but basically a family member required home soon for moral support i guess. This category required the individual to pay indulgence charges. Ruling made by MOD not the Movs trade...
rgds
Started at MPN in a Falcon bizjet that was chartered, flown to Rio De Janiero, onto CDG then LHR. 125 from 32 Sqn flew LHR to Wick airport. THe duty manager then took Comp A to final dest in his car.
Also most challenging one, getting a Ghurka from MPN to Nepal. Job was done with help of several agencies...
The story of Concorde being used is legendary, not sure if any truth in it..but is there any value on human life ?? i think not !! so maybe Concorde was used....
I know chartering a bizjet aint cheap...maybe a 1 way ticket on Concorde was cheap by comparison though..
I'm sure even with another round of defence cuts, the Comp system will always be there..
The grades of Comp were A, B and C... IIRC ??
Comp A was to be moved ASAP, at public expense
Comp B was to be moved within 24hrs at public expense
These were for the more serious problems ie..family member VSI..
Comp C was actually high priority indulgence passenger..
This was not paid for at public expense. Cant remember the wording for it now, but basically a family member required home soon for moral support i guess. This category required the individual to pay indulgence charges. Ruling made by MOD not the Movs trade...
rgds
Join Date: Feb 2005
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A heartfelt thanks to Grey, and to all those, who when the word "Compassionate" is mentioned drop every thing and make it happen.
In a time when it is easy to knock the services (me included....where's that PVR form?) it fills me with pride to read these posts, and gives me faith in the system.
Kosovo 2000 (for the second time) one of our lads got the call, and as luck would have it, an Albert was already inbound. He was airborne within 2 hours on 7 days Comp Lve. It was akin to the parting of the Red Sea! Albert arrives at BZN where waiting HS 125 whisks him northward.
Three days later an e-mail arrives, from said chap, saying that he got to see his sister 2 hours before she passed. Filled us up a bit, did that.
If we don't look after each other, what do we have left?
In a time when it is easy to knock the services (me included....where's that PVR form?) it fills me with pride to read these posts, and gives me faith in the system.
Kosovo 2000 (for the second time) one of our lads got the call, and as luck would have it, an Albert was already inbound. He was airborne within 2 hours on 7 days Comp Lve. It was akin to the parting of the Red Sea! Albert arrives at BZN where waiting HS 125 whisks him northward.
Three days later an e-mail arrives, from said chap, saying that he got to see his sister 2 hours before she passed. Filled us up a bit, did that.
If we don't look after each other, what do we have left?
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Just to add my heartfelt thanks to Greywalker and everyone at the compassionate cell. Just been on the receiving end of a comp A return from the gulf to see my mum in intensive care. At the hospital within 36 hours of my wife calling, courtesy of BA and a driver from Uxbridge. Excellent service and one that we must all continue to do our utmost to support.
It also worked for 2 others from the detachment during the last 2 months.
Having now been involved in helping others get back and been repatriated this really is priceless for those involved.
It also worked for 2 others from the detachment during the last 2 months.
Having now been involved in helping others get back and been repatriated this really is priceless for those involved.
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Grey, you and your team deserve all of the accolade you get here and everywhere else. On some of these threads you tend to think "yeah yeah, point taken, lets move on!" Not so with this one!!! Probably room for several thousand more thankyou notes from service guys everywhere.
I've been unfortunate to have 2 cases. First one was whilst I was on HMS Invisible many years ago. Father took ill, boss contacted me via ASMA (remember that?!?!?) and I was on Seaking into Dubai airport within hours. Flew home club class and was met at airport by a friend in light blue who took me to the hospital via my home for a clean up!! Amazing.
Never thinking that would be topped, several years later I was on det at sunny stornoway with the mighty F3s when father fell ill again (i'm sure he waited until I was as far away from Newcastle as possible!). I got the bad news, sat in a room on the phone to family for about 20 mins. No sooner had I put the phone down when the F3 guys were sizing me up for a growbag with accessories. Flown to Leeming and then driven to Newcastle. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou.
P.S. Sorry I barfed in the Tonka...
I've been unfortunate to have 2 cases. First one was whilst I was on HMS Invisible many years ago. Father took ill, boss contacted me via ASMA (remember that?!?!?) and I was on Seaking into Dubai airport within hours. Flew home club class and was met at airport by a friend in light blue who took me to the hospital via my home for a clean up!! Amazing.
Never thinking that would be topped, several years later I was on det at sunny stornoway with the mighty F3s when father fell ill again (i'm sure he waited until I was as far away from Newcastle as possible!). I got the bad news, sat in a room on the phone to family for about 20 mins. No sooner had I put the phone down when the F3 guys were sizing me up for a growbag with accessories. Flown to Leeming and then driven to Newcastle. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou.
P.S. Sorry I barfed in the Tonka...
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Flew a lad into Norway last year for a Cat A, Herc waiting at the end of the runway at Tromso, engine started as we landed on, lad escorted out from the disc and handed over to the Flt Sgt/Loady, we taxied out the way and the Herc was airborne before we finished shutting down. Lad was met the other end and then driven home in hours few.
Thanks to all of you that make this happen again and again, we all deserve a pat on the back occassionally and yes, we do do this so well.
Thanks to all of you that make this happen again and again, we all deserve a pat on the back occassionally and yes, we do do this so well.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Was Station Duty Officer one night at a not-very-secret helicopter base near Wales. A student on a resident course came to me to say he had been informed that his baby son had been rushed into hospital near London with suspected heart failure. I rang my squadron boss to inform him and asked if there was any way to fly the student down south.
As it was well after bar opening time and a social function was in full swing, the flight commander and myself were the only two pilots who hadn't had a drink. The staish was informed and he gave permission for me to leave the station. We set off in the dark and landed the student in the grounds of the hospital in a Gazelle less than ninety minutes later.
Baby had a severe hole in the heart but recovered. We were well chuffed we could help, especially as the student was an old friend of mine.
As it was well after bar opening time and a social function was in full swing, the flight commander and myself were the only two pilots who hadn't had a drink. The staish was informed and he gave permission for me to leave the station. We set off in the dark and landed the student in the grounds of the hospital in a Gazelle less than ninety minutes later.
Baby had a severe hole in the heart but recovered. We were well chuffed we could help, especially as the student was an old friend of mine.
