Lock-and-loadmaster
Time-serving in Thumrait
At times in the late 70s/early 80s, there was an OPREQ to fly team members of the Sultan's Special Force from Thumrait ( near their base) to the capital, using two-seat Jaguars, PDQ, while the rest of the team went by whatever was available - a BAC-111 or Herc. So they had to be potty-trained. Good sport!
They tried to reciprocate, and one of the distractions they came up with was to put volunteers through their CQB course. Visualise, if you will, a line of assorted, superannuated and hungover single-seat jocks in a line, shuffling along through a 'toytown' range, carrying live-loaded 9mm handguns and told to respond to the various pop-up targets - left, right, centre and behind......
The other distraction was an invitation to go on patrol with them, on the several occasions they were directed to perform in 'ordinary infantry' mode, and do Aggressive Patrolling of a chunk of the Jebel. The local opposition, the 'adu', usually tried something on, little realising what a hornet's nest they were stirring up. Each time a contact report was made, where one of the aircrew 'tourists' was involved, that was patched through to Thumrait Ops and every Jag and Hunter that could find an excuse went haring over there to see what was going on. Tasking? Huh?
They tried to reciprocate, and one of the distractions they came up with was to put volunteers through their CQB course. Visualise, if you will, a line of assorted, superannuated and hungover single-seat jocks in a line, shuffling along through a 'toytown' range, carrying live-loaded 9mm handguns and told to respond to the various pop-up targets - left, right, centre and behind......
The other distraction was an invitation to go on patrol with them, on the several occasions they were directed to perform in 'ordinary infantry' mode, and do Aggressive Patrolling of a chunk of the Jebel. The local opposition, the 'adu', usually tried something on, little realising what a hornet's nest they were stirring up. Each time a contact report was made, where one of the aircrew 'tourists' was involved, that was patched through to Thumrait Ops and every Jag and Hunter that could find an excuse went haring over there to see what was going on. Tasking? Huh?
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The Real Lock-and-loadmaster
And there was I logging-on this morning after a long and dusty trip expecting that this thread would describe the circumstances that lead to a recent “up-ending” of one of our Alberts some where “in theatre”. “Lock-and-loadmaster”; Pallet locks and Load Master perhaps? A desire to tweak the trim somewhat by moving the forward pallet further forward (or was it to make room for the rations?), yet forgetting that on the J the release mechanism for pallets works from rear to front (the front pallet being the last to be disengaged in a sequence designed for jettison). The action therefore of releasing the pallets allowed the load to roll backwards and whilst the rear pallet stopped when it hit the door (the ramp was co-planer e.g. at the horizontal, but the door was down). The shift of gravity caused a effect on the front enders horizon similar to that of the slide down which Virgil Tracy sped en route to Thunderbird 2. Per Ardua ad Astra? Well at least the front enders were facing the right way!
The thing that I find most perturbing is:
a. The ac was already in trim before this strange behaviour took place.
b. There were no movers in sight to blame (and even if they had been it had been loaded in trim)
Any J types care to comment?
The thing that I find most perturbing is:
a. The ac was already in trim before this strange behaviour took place.
b. There were no movers in sight to blame (and even if they had been it had been loaded in trim)
Any J types care to comment?
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Out on Patrol
I've always found there's plenty of chance to get out and about when you're on a Det. No point in just going through the routine for 4 months. It must be the Walt in me, but on my TELIC stint a year or so ago, I managed to get a place on a Logs convoy to the SAAH and a 2-day trip from Shaibah to Abu Naji (and back!).
Got a good appreciation of what the army lads go through and the complexities of moving food, water and spares on the roads out there.
RTAs, top cover, break downs and a "come on" IED made the trips well worthwhile.
Got a good appreciation of what the army lads go through and the complexities of moving food, water and spares on the roads out there.
RTAs, top cover, break downs and a "come on" IED made the trips well worthwhile.
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NAJ - Sorry for delay whilst waiting for confirmation. Yes - it did happen in province next to Helmand. Am advised it was a Loadie incident and no Movers present the Loadie claimed locks were u/s. Since disproved.
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C130 - I am amazed you got away without being challenged. if you knew the event happened why didn't you confirm to 'Now a J?'
1. How can you blame the Movers when you weren't there?
2. They weren't there and the Acft door was down...
3. First rule of Flight safety - Don't Assume .... Check!
4. Still a stupid trick to unlock the whole load at once?
1. How can you blame the Movers when you weren't there?
2. They weren't there and the Acft door was down...
3. First rule of Flight safety - Don't Assume .... Check!
4. Still a stupid trick to unlock the whole load at once?
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The latest rumour is a problem with the -4 which my source assures me the engineers are attributing to years of mis handling by the movers 
Seems utterly plausible to me
Seems utterly plausible to me
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Well no surprise there then .
So if there was a problem with the -4 then how did the movers manage to lock in the load?.
I think its more the case that the loadie started to believe your own press written on here and you are all perfect.
**** happens or is the case of what goes around comes around.
.So if there was a problem with the -4 then how did the movers manage to lock in the load?.
I think its more the case that the loadie started to believe your own press written on here and you are all perfect.
**** happens or is the case of what goes around comes around.
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Seem to remember being in Kuwait City 03 when the same thing happened.
Loadie pulled all the locks to assist a QTR but the a/c was on an angled pan. The 2 movers coming to the a/c at the time made sure the mess ( 3 Pallets worth at various angles on the ground ) was cleaned up quickly and helped the loadie out without a word. But as usual got no thanks and no ground incident report raised either... makes you wonder why we bother to help eh !
**** happens.. and will continue to happen to us all...
MM
Loadie pulled all the locks to assist a QTR but the a/c was on an angled pan. The 2 movers coming to the a/c at the time made sure the mess ( 3 Pallets worth at various angles on the ground ) was cleaned up quickly and helped the loadie out without a word. But as usual got no thanks and no ground incident report raised either... makes you wonder why we bother to help eh !
**** happens.. and will continue to happen to us all...
MM
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MM
Have a word with yourself, if the two movers had carried out their duties a little more dilligently and chocked the load that incident you refer to would never have occured, and all these subsequent ground incidents would stop if you lot got your act together, bloo@y movers
Have a word with yourself, if the two movers had carried out their duties a little more dilligently and chocked the load that incident you refer to would never have occured, and all these subsequent ground incidents would stop if you lot got your act together, bloo@y movers
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Seldomfitforlife
Maybe you should ask PMA to transfere you to oc movs i am sure that the trade has been crying out for a massiah like person as yourself.
I am sure if you managed to create the world in 6 days you should be able to fix the RAF's main problem area.
Maybe you should ask PMA to transfere you to oc movs i am sure that the trade has been crying out for a massiah like person as yourself.
I am sure if you managed to create the world in 6 days you should be able to fix the RAF's main problem area.
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SFFP
Your rantings do make me chuckle. Reading back through your previous posts on other topics it's clear to me and from other posters that you are infact a top to$$er. If your way of venting your anger or hatred is via this forum so be it but it's very sad to be honest for an adult. (It certinaly is'nt banter).
Go and have an "anti-movs" group hug with AWIB.
MM
Your rantings do make me chuckle. Reading back through your previous posts on other topics it's clear to me and from other posters that you are infact a top to$$er. If your way of venting your anger or hatred is via this forum so be it but it's very sad to be honest for an adult. (It certinaly is'nt banter).
Go and have an "anti-movs" group hug with AWIB.
MM
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Seldom - Your'e ignorance of matters AT is now obvious. Quote " If the Movers had chocked the load...". They weren't at the aircraft by the time the Loadie had unlocked the load for Heaven's sake. I would love to hear a comment from Mr Perfect a.k.a. ABIW.....
Roll on 2012
Roll on 2012