Brit Helicopter down in Basra? 6/5/06
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Having not been to church for a while I decided to go today in light of yesterdays events. After mass when leaving I was "cornered" by the priest who noticed I was new to the church and so I explained the reasons as to why I had gone.
After I explained he said he would dedicate his next mass on Tuesday morning to the four crew on board the Lynx. He did ask of their names but unfortunately they have not been released, fingers crossed we will know by Tuesday so that they will be properly honoured at the service.
He also suggested that he might read out the poem High Flight by Plt Off Gillespie Magee and so I have forwarded this so him. A fitting tribute to four of the finest.
After I explained he said he would dedicate his next mass on Tuesday morning to the four crew on board the Lynx. He did ask of their names but unfortunately they have not been released, fingers crossed we will know by Tuesday so that they will be properly honoured at the service.
He also suggested that he might read out the poem High Flight by Plt Off Gillespie Magee and so I have forwarded this so him. A fitting tribute to four of the finest.
RIP chaps.
PS: Can I just take a moment to warn anyone against reading the tat in the Sunday Express. The first I knew of this incident was seeing the headline in the newsagents today: 'Our Airmen left to die in helicopter crash'.On reading inside I was told that an RAF helicopter had been shot down.
Good job I wasn't the shocked wife/girlfriend of an RAF SH crewmember reading that then!
Journos - sort it out, you waste of DNA!
PS: Can I just take a moment to warn anyone against reading the tat in the Sunday Express. The first I knew of this incident was seeing the headline in the newsagents today: 'Our Airmen left to die in helicopter crash'.On reading inside I was told that an RAF helicopter had been shot down.
Good job I wasn't the shocked wife/girlfriend of an RAF SH crewmember reading that then!
Journos - sort it out, you waste of DNA!
Training Risky,
On a thread like this, where everyone's thoughts are with the poor so and sos who perished on Saturday, it would surely be better not to stoop to slinging mud at journos?
Especially when you sling it indiscriminately at friend and foe alike.
This was bound to be reported (not by me, nor by any of the specialist, defence-friendly journos who post on PPRuNe, and who are the most likely to read your ill-mannered remarks).
Believe it or not, there are many journos here who are just as shocked, shaken, moved and saddened when aircrew (from any of our services) are lost as you may be, and some of them may sometimes count the deceased as personal friends.
On a thread like this, where everyone's thoughts are with the poor so and sos who perished on Saturday, it would surely be better not to stoop to slinging mud at journos?
Especially when you sling it indiscriminately at friend and foe alike.
This was bound to be reported (not by me, nor by any of the specialist, defence-friendly journos who post on PPRuNe, and who are the most likely to read your ill-mannered remarks).
Believe it or not, there are many journos here who are just as shocked, shaken, moved and saddened when aircrew (from any of our services) are lost as you may be, and some of them may sometimes count the deceased as personal friends.
Last edited by Jackonicko; 8th May 2006 at 09:23.
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Jacko,
this neither the time or the place. Please go away and allow us to grieve in peace and humility.
RIP guys, you will be in all our prayers.
God bless
The Winco
this neither the time or the place. Please go away and allow us to grieve in peace and humility.
RIP guys, you will be in all our prayers.
God bless
The Winco
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On Their Final Flight.....
They came in the evening, then, and found Jonathan gliding peaceful
and alone through his beloved sky. The two gulls that appeared at his
wings were pure as starlight, and the glow from them was gentle and
friendly in the high night air. But most lovely of all was the skill with
which they flew, their wingtips moving a precise and constant inch from
his own. Without a word, Jonathan put them to his test, a test that no
gull had ever passed. He twisted his wings, slowed to a single mile per
hour above stall. The two radiant birds slowed with him, smoothly, locked
in position. They knew about slow flying.
He folded his wings, rolled and dropped in a dive to a hundred ninety
miles per hour. They dropped with him, streaking down in flawless
formation.
At last he turned that speed straight up into a long vertical
slow-roll. They rolled with him, smiling.
He recovered to level flight and was quiet for a time before he
spoke. "Very well," he said, "who are you?"
"We're from your Flock, Jonathan. We are your brothers." The words
were strong and calm. "We've come to take you higher, to take you home."
"Home I have none. Flock I have none. I am Outcast. And we fly now at
the peak of the Great Mountain Wind. Beyond a few hundred feet, I can lift
this old body no higher."
"But you can Jonathan. For you have learned. One school is finished,
and the time has come for another to begin."
As it had shined across him all his life, so understanding lighted
that moment for Jonathan Seagull. They were right. He could fly higher,
and it was time to go home.
He gave one last look across the sky, across that magnificent silver
land where he had learned so much.
"I'm ready " he said at last.
And Jonathan Livingston Seagull rose with the two starbright gulls to
disappear into a perfect dark sky.
From Jonathan Livingstone Seagull
by Richard Bach
and alone through his beloved sky. The two gulls that appeared at his
wings were pure as starlight, and the glow from them was gentle and
friendly in the high night air. But most lovely of all was the skill with
which they flew, their wingtips moving a precise and constant inch from
his own. Without a word, Jonathan put them to his test, a test that no
gull had ever passed. He twisted his wings, slowed to a single mile per
hour above stall. The two radiant birds slowed with him, smoothly, locked
in position. They knew about slow flying.
He folded his wings, rolled and dropped in a dive to a hundred ninety
miles per hour. They dropped with him, streaking down in flawless
formation.
At last he turned that speed straight up into a long vertical
slow-roll. They rolled with him, smiling.
He recovered to level flight and was quiet for a time before he
spoke. "Very well," he said, "who are you?"
"We're from your Flock, Jonathan. We are your brothers." The words
were strong and calm. "We've come to take you higher, to take you home."
"Home I have none. Flock I have none. I am Outcast. And we fly now at
the peak of the Great Mountain Wind. Beyond a few hundred feet, I can lift
this old body no higher."
"But you can Jonathan. For you have learned. One school is finished,
and the time has come for another to begin."
As it had shined across him all his life, so understanding lighted
that moment for Jonathan Seagull. They were right. He could fly higher,
and it was time to go home.
He gave one last look across the sky, across that magnificent silver
land where he had learned so much.
"I'm ready " he said at last.
And Jonathan Livingston Seagull rose with the two starbright gulls to
disappear into a perfect dark sky.
From Jonathan Livingstone Seagull
by Richard Bach
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Flyer's Prayer
By Patrick J. Phillips
When this life I'm in is done,
And at the gates I stand,
My hope is that I answer all
His questions on command.
I doubt He'll ask me of my fame,
Or all the things I knew,
Instead, He'll ask of rainbows sent
On rainy days I flew.
The hours logged, the status reached,
The ratings will not matter.
He'll ask me if I saw the rays
And how He made them scatter.
Or what about the droplets clear,
I spread across your screen?
And did you see the twinkling eyes.
of student pilots keen?
The way your heart jumped in your chest,
That special solo day-
Did you take the time to thank the one
Who fell along the way?
Remember how the runway lights
Looked one night long ago
When you were lost and found your way,
And how-you still don't know?
How fast, how far, how much, how high?
He'll ask me not these things
But did I take the time to watch
The moonbeams wash my wings?
And did you see the patchwork fields
And mountains I did mould;
The mirrored lakes and velvet hills,
Of these did I behold?
The wind he flung along my wings,
On final almost stalled.
And did I know it was His name,
That I so fearfully called?
And when the goals are reached at last,
When all the flying's done,
I'll answer Him with no regret-
Indeed, I had some fun.
So when these things are asked of me,
And I can reach no higher,
My prayer this day - His hand extends
To welcome home a Flyer.
Rest in peace brothers.
By Patrick J. Phillips
When this life I'm in is done,
And at the gates I stand,
My hope is that I answer all
His questions on command.
I doubt He'll ask me of my fame,
Or all the things I knew,
Instead, He'll ask of rainbows sent
On rainy days I flew.
The hours logged, the status reached,
The ratings will not matter.
He'll ask me if I saw the rays
And how He made them scatter.
Or what about the droplets clear,
I spread across your screen?
And did you see the twinkling eyes.
of student pilots keen?
The way your heart jumped in your chest,
That special solo day-
Did you take the time to thank the one
Who fell along the way?
Remember how the runway lights
Looked one night long ago
When you were lost and found your way,
And how-you still don't know?
How fast, how far, how much, how high?
He'll ask me not these things
But did I take the time to watch
The moonbeams wash my wings?
And did you see the patchwork fields
And mountains I did mould;
The mirrored lakes and velvet hills,
Of these did I behold?
The wind he flung along my wings,
On final almost stalled.
And did I know it was His name,
That I so fearfully called?
And when the goals are reached at last,
When all the flying's done,
I'll answer Him with no regret-
Indeed, I had some fun.
So when these things are asked of me,
And I can reach no higher,
My prayer this day - His hand extends
To welcome home a Flyer.
Rest in peace brothers.
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RIP all.
Everything has already been said, so I will not use more space than needed.
However, for those of you who can, raise a glass and have a quiet moment for everyone involved.
We will remember.
AA
Everything has already been said, so I will not use more space than needed.
However, for those of you who can, raise a glass and have a quiet moment for everyone involved.
We will remember.
AA
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Passage of friends and colleagues
Just as a great many have already said, condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those that died yesterday.
Tragic events like this touch a great many people, especially those that would have seen these personnel that morning. To all those currently serving their country, both in the operational theatres, and back home ensuring that our personnel are as well supported as we would like to be ourselves, take care and look after yourselves.
May the families feel the love and support of all those around them, and be proud of their lost ones who died believing in what they do, and conducting themselves in the most proffesional manner imaginable.
A M
Tragic events like this touch a great many people, especially those that would have seen these personnel that morning. To all those currently serving their country, both in the operational theatres, and back home ensuring that our personnel are as well supported as we would like to be ourselves, take care and look after yourselves.
May the families feel the love and support of all those around them, and be proud of their lost ones who died believing in what they do, and conducting themselves in the most proffesional manner imaginable.
A M
Join Date: Jun 2002
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In awe and admiration
Gentlemen
As a long time aviator of the rotary world, I wish you all that you would have wished for yourselves. You alone know the sacrifice and belief that you took with you, and you alone shall be rewarded for it.
I am humbled in your presecence and in awe of your sacrifice.
"Rise up and fly
my beloved children
see the light
it is your goal"
RIP
As a long time aviator of the rotary world, I wish you all that you would have wished for yourselves. You alone know the sacrifice and belief that you took with you, and you alone shall be rewarded for it.
I am humbled in your presecence and in awe of your sacrifice.
"Rise up and fly
my beloved children
see the light
it is your goal"
RIP
The TV news just confirmed 5 dead, not 4.
I would be overjoyed if the journos earned their reputation for inaccuracy and exaggeration in this case.
Without knowing who was involved, my thoughts are with all the Lynx aircrew I've met. They always seem to be a uniquely 'sound' bunch.
I would be overjoyed if the journos earned their reputation for inaccuracy and exaggeration in this case.
Without knowing who was involved, my thoughts are with all the Lynx aircrew I've met. They always seem to be a uniquely 'sound' bunch.
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We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go
Always a little further: it may be
Beyond the last blue mountain barred with snow,
Across that angry or that glimmering sea,
White on a throne or guarded in a cave
There lives a prophet who can understand
Why men were born: but surely we are brave,
Who take the Golden Road to Samarkand.
God bless you and your families, from a simple pilgrim who has shared the journey with you in the past...you will not be forgotten or unavenged.
Always a little further: it may be
Beyond the last blue mountain barred with snow,
Across that angry or that glimmering sea,
White on a throne or guarded in a cave
There lives a prophet who can understand
Why men were born: but surely we are brave,
Who take the Golden Road to Samarkand.
God bless you and your families, from a simple pilgrim who has shared the journey with you in the past...you will not be forgotten or unavenged.
There is little that I can add to the many moving sentiments already posted. My thoughts are with the families, and the colleagues who remain.
See you on the other side, guys. Rest easy.
See you on the other side, guys. Rest easy.