RAF CompA ??
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: in the forest
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Long time ago I know, but Mrs MAP experienced an excellent service as a Comp when all the stops were pulled to get her back to UK.
Up in Woomera, one Friday evening and last flight until Monday to Adelaide had just departed when we got a message that her mum was critically ill in Ipswich hospital. We had to wait for authority to come through from Innsworth, but roads from Woomera were flooded so could not drive down ready. They organised a private flight first thing Saturday morning in a 2 seater (all she remembered were the pilot's hairy legs - nothing else!) to Adelaide airport to meet with flight to Melbourne to connect with BA to London. Private hire car to Ipswich where everyone could not believe she was in Australia just over a day ago.
Her mother survived, due, in part, to the presence of her daughter so the Doctors thought. Teamwork at its very best.
Up in Woomera, one Friday evening and last flight until Monday to Adelaide had just departed when we got a message that her mum was critically ill in Ipswich hospital. We had to wait for authority to come through from Innsworth, but roads from Woomera were flooded so could not drive down ready. They organised a private flight first thing Saturday morning in a 2 seater (all she remembered were the pilot's hairy legs - nothing else!) to Adelaide airport to meet with flight to Melbourne to connect with BA to London. Private hire car to Ipswich where everyone could not believe she was in Australia just over a day ago.
Her mother survived, due, in part, to the presence of her daughter so the Doctors thought. Teamwork at its very best.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Who knows where this week.......
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Done a few of these myself, and arranged a couple whilst on ground duties on ops. Although not a comp, the best was a hospital flight from Gib. Very sick young girl going to specialist in UK. Wheels up, and passed to Spanish ATC, cleared direct LHR. Approaching London, everything was cleared out of our way. One speedbird, when passed holding instructions, questioned the priority of an ASCOT callsign (presume he didn't hear the prefix), and was immediately offered diversion to Manchester! All went quiet. Helo on the taxiway, little girl away (she survived ok), then nearly 2 hours to get out under our normal callsign!
Love to knock movers, but have seen them pull out all the stops to help and really come through on the day.
Love to knock movers, but have seen them pull out all the stops to help and really come through on the day.
I only ever got involved with one once during my time. I had to fly a guy up to Bremen to catch his flight. We were hammering along as fast as the Lynx would go, and it was obvious that we were going to be late. I called up Approach and asked them to hold the flight. There was a pregnant pause and they came back and asked if we had a VIP on board.
I looked back at the L/Cpl infantryman in the back and replied, "Yes". We landed next to the aircraft and he was met by the mover and straight up the steps.
I looked back at the L/Cpl infantryman in the back and replied, "Yes". We landed next to the aircraft and he was met by the mover and straight up the steps.
Although I recall little of what happened, as a young airman in the 1980's in Cyprus, I was described as 'Gravely ill' following an RTA. I was admitted to TPMH at Akro and being too ill to be aeromedded at that time, I could quite possibly have died if it hadn't been for the skill of the surgeon and team at TPMH. Both my mother and sister were informed of my pending demise and as if by magic a car whisked them off to Teeside Airport to fly down to LHR and onward onto a BA flight to LCA. Another fast drive from LCA to TPMH and both mother and sister were at my bedside within 15 hours of the accident. Incredible work by all the team involved to whom both myself and family will always be eternally grateful.
I was eventually 'stabilised' and aeromedded back to UK. This was apparently no easy task, as due to my injuries it required a full aeromed team (another bunch of unsung heroes in my book). I recall very little, other than my stretcher with drips, oxygen masks and god knows whatever else attached to me being lifted onto the RAF TriStar by the catering truck. I clearly remember the tail number of the TriStar ZE705 – is it still in service?
I also vaguely remember looking out of the window and was somewhat perturbed see a whole line of fire engines following the TriStar as we taxied for take off. Other than that it is blur other than thinking that you got an awful lot of legroom on a stretcher as opposed to being couped up in a seat!
At the other end I was woken up to be lifted off by again a catering truck I think. into a waiting ambulance alongside the aircraft. Straight off to RAFH Wroughton for 6 months followed by three months in Headley Court and I was rebuilt albeit 'retired medically' from the RAF and dispatched to civilian life with a War Pension to boot.
As others have said, the Comp ABC etc scheme is one thing the RAF excelled in and shouldn't be tampered with. Also the Aeromed system was/is fantastic. Just a pity that if my accident occurred now, there would be no RAFH Wroughton to be treated so superbly in (or other dedicated Military hospital – thank god TPMH still survives albeit in 'cut down' form I am led to believe nowadays).
I owe an eternal debt of gratitude to all those who selflessly worked to save my life.
I was eventually 'stabilised' and aeromedded back to UK. This was apparently no easy task, as due to my injuries it required a full aeromed team (another bunch of unsung heroes in my book). I recall very little, other than my stretcher with drips, oxygen masks and god knows whatever else attached to me being lifted onto the RAF TriStar by the catering truck. I clearly remember the tail number of the TriStar ZE705 – is it still in service?
I also vaguely remember looking out of the window and was somewhat perturbed see a whole line of fire engines following the TriStar as we taxied for take off. Other than that it is blur other than thinking that you got an awful lot of legroom on a stretcher as opposed to being couped up in a seat!
At the other end I was woken up to be lifted off by again a catering truck I think. into a waiting ambulance alongside the aircraft. Straight off to RAFH Wroughton for 6 months followed by three months in Headley Court and I was rebuilt albeit 'retired medically' from the RAF and dispatched to civilian life with a War Pension to boot.
As others have said, the Comp ABC etc scheme is one thing the RAF excelled in and shouldn't be tampered with. Also the Aeromed system was/is fantastic. Just a pity that if my accident occurred now, there would be no RAFH Wroughton to be treated so superbly in (or other dedicated Military hospital – thank god TPMH still survives albeit in 'cut down' form I am led to believe nowadays).
I owe an eternal debt of gratitude to all those who selflessly worked to save my life.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Scotland
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DILFOR - Dangerously Ill Forwarding of Relatives
"Although I recall little of what happened, as a young airman in the 1980's in Cyprus, I was described as 'Gravely ill' following an RTA. I was admitted to TPMH at Akro and being too ill to be aeromedded at that time, I could quite possibly have died if it hadn't been for the skill of the surgeon and team at TPMH. Both my mother and sister were informed of my pending demise and as if by magic a car whisked them off to Teeside Airport to fly down to LHR and onward onto a BA flight to LCA. Another fast drive from LCA to TPMH and both mother and sister were at my bedside within 15 hours of the accident. Incredible work by all the team involved to whom both myself and family will always be eternally grateful."
Pete, what you are describing here is the DILFOR system, rather than Comp (return of serving relative in case of family emergency), but performed / arranged by the same people. As you say, it is an area all those involved with do so well.
Pete, what you are describing here is the DILFOR system, rather than Comp (return of serving relative in case of family emergency), but performed / arranged by the same people. As you say, it is an area all those involved with do so well.
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Aylesbury
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Commonwealth Serving Comps
I fully agree with and applaud the fantastic stories of getting those home in their time of need. I have assisting in a number of comps in my time and fully believe that if there is any one thing we can hold a sign up and advertise that we do well, it is looking after our own in these circumstances.
However, I have been recruited from a commonwealth country to serve in HM Forces (the empire isn't dead, its just sleeping) and I dont think I am entitled to the same service if and when, heaven forbid, I have a comp with my family.
From what I understand I will be brought back to the UK from whereever I am serving and then I am on my own. Do I have to pay for my own means back to the otherside of the planet, when the UK will move its guys from the otherside of the planet to the UK in their hour of need?
Knowing that I can stop a bullet as well as anyone else who is serving, will the system allow for my parents to be transported to see me?
I do not wish to lower the tone of the fantastic stories of helping our own, but thought this would be the most appropriate thread to try and find an answer to my questions. Would be grateful for any information that fellow pruners could shed on commonwealth serving soldiers in similar circumstances.
RB
However, I have been recruited from a commonwealth country to serve in HM Forces (the empire isn't dead, its just sleeping) and I dont think I am entitled to the same service if and when, heaven forbid, I have a comp with my family.
From what I understand I will be brought back to the UK from whereever I am serving and then I am on my own. Do I have to pay for my own means back to the otherside of the planet, when the UK will move its guys from the otherside of the planet to the UK in their hour of need?
Knowing that I can stop a bullet as well as anyone else who is serving, will the system allow for my parents to be transported to see me?
I do not wish to lower the tone of the fantastic stories of helping our own, but thought this would be the most appropriate thread to try and find an answer to my questions. Would be grateful for any information that fellow pruners could shed on commonwealth serving soldiers in similar circumstances.
RB
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Scotland
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Commonwealth Personnel
RB
If there was a medical recommendation your parents /NOK will be transported to UK, or any other non operational location under the DILFOR scheme, if you were ever taken seriously ill, but I think what you say about Comp travel for yourself is correct.
There used to be a scheme known as DOMCOL that helped Foreign & Commonwealth personnel serving in the forces get home every few years to have an extended period of leave, not sure if it still applies or could be used with Comp Travel.
TT
If there was a medical recommendation your parents /NOK will be transported to UK, or any other non operational location under the DILFOR scheme, if you were ever taken seriously ill, but I think what you say about Comp travel for yourself is correct.
There used to be a scheme known as DOMCOL that helped Foreign & Commonwealth personnel serving in the forces get home every few years to have an extended period of leave, not sure if it still applies or could be used with Comp Travel.
TT
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rotor Buddy
This is certainly worth checking officially.
However, many currently serving Gurkha chaps are Comp A'd back home from theatre. Rightly so.
Don't see how these rules should be any different for you than for anyone else, but wonder if there's a special arrangement for the Gurkha regiments?
I hope the need doesn't arise, for any of us!
This is certainly worth checking officially.
However, many currently serving Gurkha chaps are Comp A'd back home from theatre. Rightly so.
Don't see how these rules should be any different for you than for anyone else, but wonder if there's a special arrangement for the Gurkha regiments?
I hope the need doesn't arise, for any of us!
Thank you forget. Nice to see ZE705 is still in service. I presume over her time she has helped repatriate many other aeromed cases and I wish her and her sister TriStars and their crews the very best.
Topsey, I wasn't aware it was a separate scheme (Dilfor as you call it) for getting relatives out to see servicemen/women who are not expected to live. However my mother informed me they were the height of professionalism in arranging for her and my sister to get to my bedside in TPMH in the minimum amount of time with nothing to worry about other than me!.
I totally agree these are fantastic services (Comps, Dilfor, Aeromed) which are not given the recognition they so rightly deserve as are the people involved in making it all happen so seamlessly.
An always greatful Pete
Topsey, I wasn't aware it was a separate scheme (Dilfor as you call it) for getting relatives out to see servicemen/women who are not expected to live. However my mother informed me they were the height of professionalism in arranging for her and my sister to get to my bedside in TPMH in the minimum amount of time with nothing to worry about other than me!.
I totally agree these are fantastic services (Comps, Dilfor, Aeromed) which are not given the recognition they so rightly deserve as are the people involved in making it all happen so seamlessly.
An always greatful Pete
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SW UK
Age: 57
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RB
DOMCOL is still available to Commonwealth Personnel under certain criteria.
Details can be found in JSP 751 Chapter 21.
DOMCOL is a scheme for single or unaccompanied married personnel who previously lived abroad and came to the UK at their own expense with the specific intention to join the UK Armed Forces. While they remain single or married unaccompanied they can be returned to their country under the compassionate scheme.
Under the DOMCOL Scheme personnel can be granted up to 45 days leave. They also have to have served 5 years in the Service before thay can qualify for this.
DOMCOL is still available to Commonwealth Personnel under certain criteria.
Details can be found in JSP 751 Chapter 21.
DOMCOL is a scheme for single or unaccompanied married personnel who previously lived abroad and came to the UK at their own expense with the specific intention to join the UK Armed Forces. While they remain single or married unaccompanied they can be returned to their country under the compassionate scheme.
Under the DOMCOL Scheme personnel can be granted up to 45 days leave. They also have to have served 5 years in the Service before thay can qualify for this.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Gloucester
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It ain't broke
To follow the thread from the beginning - it ain't broke - we are staying at Innsworth. Got to refurbish a building and move within the camp to let the ARRC in, but the team remains and are mightily glad to be doing so.
Compassionate and DILFOR services remain as normal.
The DOMCOL comments are correct for Compassionate cases but as far as DILFOR is concerned we operate worldwide taking the family from wherever to wherever, if the Docs think it is necessary. And for the really serious cases it's just like a Comp A for speed/service. Witness one lady from Orkney to Bahrain on Christmas Day courtesy of the KS SAR chopper, a Belgian private charter and then evening Gulf Air out of Heathrow, arrived early hours of Boxing Day. But that's the clever bit - all thanks to the DSCOM Team (aka DTMA).
Horror of Horrors (!!!!!) but we use JPA to record it all and to receive e-NOTICAS, which take about a minute (yes really!) instead of 3-4 hours for an old-fashioned signal. The Casualty bit works well, if only everybody will keep their personal Contacts details up to date, but that was true of the "good old systems" too.
HGW
Compassionate and DILFOR services remain as normal.
The DOMCOL comments are correct for Compassionate cases but as far as DILFOR is concerned we operate worldwide taking the family from wherever to wherever, if the Docs think it is necessary. And for the really serious cases it's just like a Comp A for speed/service. Witness one lady from Orkney to Bahrain on Christmas Day courtesy of the KS SAR chopper, a Belgian private charter and then evening Gulf Air out of Heathrow, arrived early hours of Boxing Day. But that's the clever bit - all thanks to the DSCOM Team (aka DTMA).
Horror of Horrors (!!!!!) but we use JPA to record it all and to receive e-NOTICAS, which take about a minute (yes really!) instead of 3-4 hours for an old-fashioned signal. The Casualty bit works well, if only everybody will keep their personal Contacts details up to date, but that was true of the "good old systems" too.
HGW
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wilts
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Comp System.
As an ex RAF Mover, i have been a Comp A, and had faith in the system.
During my career i was involved in a fair few Comp's of all grades..
For me personally, it was the most rewarding side of the job, pulling out the stops for anyone to get them home to loved ones, whatever the reasons.
My last involvement was working alongside an Army mover in MPA in the JABC.. Joint Air Booking Centre.
During my 4mth sojourn, JABC were involved along with others in getting numerous personnel back to the UK. One that stands out was getting a Para and his sister a WREN home from MPA. This was done via Sao Paolo and i escorted both there. Sao Paolo could not have been more helpful.
No immigration issues whatsoever ! That in part maybe due to the Embassy staff.
I cant forget the Herc crew, engineers, police who also travelled total crew was around 12 i think...all for 2 people.
We even had private charter biz jets in to MPA to get personnel home..
Movers may not be everyones favourite trade, but please remember this. When the time comes, they can still provide a service that is 2nd to none.
I would strongly advise anyone not to try to circumvent the system. The Movers both Blue and Green have enormous expertise in this field and using Flight Reservations systems, they can see things that others wont see...
Rgds
LL
During my career i was involved in a fair few Comp's of all grades..
For me personally, it was the most rewarding side of the job, pulling out the stops for anyone to get them home to loved ones, whatever the reasons.
My last involvement was working alongside an Army mover in MPA in the JABC.. Joint Air Booking Centre.
During my 4mth sojourn, JABC were involved along with others in getting numerous personnel back to the UK. One that stands out was getting a Para and his sister a WREN home from MPA. This was done via Sao Paolo and i escorted both there. Sao Paolo could not have been more helpful.
No immigration issues whatsoever ! That in part maybe due to the Embassy staff.
I cant forget the Herc crew, engineers, police who also travelled total crew was around 12 i think...all for 2 people.
We even had private charter biz jets in to MPA to get personnel home..
Movers may not be everyones favourite trade, but please remember this. When the time comes, they can still provide a service that is 2nd to none.
I would strongly advise anyone not to try to circumvent the system. The Movers both Blue and Green have enormous expertise in this field and using Flight Reservations systems, they can see things that others wont see...
Rgds
LL
....at the end of short sojourn of my own in MPA, the T* (yes, it is a while ago) was turned around from about 30 mins out northbound to go back for a Comp A.
Announcement came from FD to explain why we were flying round in circles and spraying fuel out of the wings.
No-one complained. Great system
Announcement came from FD to explain why we were flying round in circles and spraying fuel out of the wings.
No-one complained. Great system
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BVR
Age: 52
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Something we are World Champions at
Junior rating a few hundred miles out in the North Atlantic gets the call that his mum is VSI in Belfast:
Ship steams shortest way to land.
When in range, helicopter launches him to Stornoway.
We are engines running in Albert when helo lands.
Junior bloke straps in with an "is this just for me?" expression.
We launch to the call of "Ascot xxx cleared direct Aldergrove" from Scot Mil.
Taxy in to waiting car.
When we can do this for our most junior blokes it completely restores my faith in our once illustrious outfit. Done a few Comp As and the attitude of all involved never changes and we cannot let anyone interfere with what is a brilliant system.
Ship steams shortest way to land.
When in range, helicopter launches him to Stornoway.
We are engines running in Albert when helo lands.
Junior bloke straps in with an "is this just for me?" expression.
We launch to the call of "Ascot xxx cleared direct Aldergrove" from Scot Mil.
Taxy in to waiting car.
When we can do this for our most junior blokes it completely restores my faith in our once illustrious outfit. Done a few Comp As and the attitude of all involved never changes and we cannot let anyone interfere with what is a brilliant system.
Last edited by R SCANDAL; 9th Oct 2008 at 10:30. Reason: speeling
Comp As from each end and the middle
I never personally needed the Comp A system but have been involved several times:
Ark Royal (of "We are sailing fame") setting off on final voyage when young rating's father VSI in Derby. I was flying night circuits at Lyneham - did we have enough fuel for LYE to St Mawgan to E Midlands? Answer yes. rating in navy helo to StM, by us in Albert to EM where met by Army driver and taken straight to Hospital.
When in ASCOT Ops - 2 Comp A on the Tri* from MPA, one for Newcastle one from Belfast, Tristar inbound to Gutersloh. Hold 125 at Gut. Comp As whisked off Timmy first and straight into 125 and away. First one dropped at Newc ERO and on to Belfast. So even ASCOT Ops could get it right.
In similar vein was a premature baby at Akro, sent to Tel Aviv by helo with mother as outside the capabilities of Akro hospital. Few weeks later when baby still only weighed 4 1/2 lbs we had to send the Tri* to pick it up - very large aeroplane for a very small payload!!
And expanding it to another similar but Aeromed problem: Army Sgt on BATT in Kano, Nigeria, slipped in shower and banged his head causing blood clot. Aeromed needed but minimum airborne time for casualty specified. VC10 fired up for BZN - Dakar - Accra for night stop. This gave about 20 hours to get diplomatic clearances for the return from Kano direct to BZN over Niger, Algeria and Spain. Surprisingly the most difficult was Spain and the VC10 almost had to do a dog leg around Majorca but clearance came through with about 10 minutes to spare. Out of Gibraltar though aeromeds would regularly get direct routing across Spain even if we did not ask for it.
In all these cases almost everybody does pull out all the stops but sometimes achieving the desired result was impossible.
Ark Royal (of "We are sailing fame") setting off on final voyage when young rating's father VSI in Derby. I was flying night circuits at Lyneham - did we have enough fuel for LYE to St Mawgan to E Midlands? Answer yes. rating in navy helo to StM, by us in Albert to EM where met by Army driver and taken straight to Hospital.
When in ASCOT Ops - 2 Comp A on the Tri* from MPA, one for Newcastle one from Belfast, Tristar inbound to Gutersloh. Hold 125 at Gut. Comp As whisked off Timmy first and straight into 125 and away. First one dropped at Newc ERO and on to Belfast. So even ASCOT Ops could get it right.
In similar vein was a premature baby at Akro, sent to Tel Aviv by helo with mother as outside the capabilities of Akro hospital. Few weeks later when baby still only weighed 4 1/2 lbs we had to send the Tri* to pick it up - very large aeroplane for a very small payload!!
And expanding it to another similar but Aeromed problem: Army Sgt on BATT in Kano, Nigeria, slipped in shower and banged his head causing blood clot. Aeromed needed but minimum airborne time for casualty specified. VC10 fired up for BZN - Dakar - Accra for night stop. This gave about 20 hours to get diplomatic clearances for the return from Kano direct to BZN over Niger, Algeria and Spain. Surprisingly the most difficult was Spain and the VC10 almost had to do a dog leg around Majorca but clearance came through with about 10 minutes to spare. Out of Gibraltar though aeromeds would regularly get direct routing across Spain even if we did not ask for it.
In all these cases almost everybody does pull out all the stops but sometimes achieving the desired result was impossible.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: France 46
Age: 77
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back in 1994 a young WRAF SACW was being transported as a "Comp A" back to UK from the Falklands and the VC10 went U/S at Ascension. After 48 hours had passed SASO STC ordered that if the aircraft was not servicable within the next 12 hours then a Tristar would be sent to fetch her.
The VC10 was declared servicable and duly got airborne; so I was tasked to take a BAe 125 to collect her at Brize and deliver her to her Base. Also at Brize was the Personal Aircraft of HM The King of Jordan which was due to depart with HM the King at around the same time as the ETA of the VC10. The Acting Stn Cdr Brize spoke to HM The King who agreed straight away that the young lady should have priority and stated that if there were any further problems then He would be more than happy to convey the young Lady home aboard his aircraft.
That was not necessary as we were airborne within 10 minutes of the VC10 landing; but a wonderful gesture nevertheless.
The VC10 was declared servicable and duly got airborne; so I was tasked to take a BAe 125 to collect her at Brize and deliver her to her Base. Also at Brize was the Personal Aircraft of HM The King of Jordan which was due to depart with HM the King at around the same time as the ETA of the VC10. The Acting Stn Cdr Brize spoke to HM The King who agreed straight away that the young lady should have priority and stated that if there were any further problems then He would be more than happy to convey the young Lady home aboard his aircraft.
That was not necessary as we were airborne within 10 minutes of the VC10 landing; but a wonderful gesture nevertheless.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wilts
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does this not prove the system works !!
so dont try to fix things that aint broken !!!!
I remember being in Gutersloh, just promoted, and dealt with a Comp A, Army SNCO.
He was in Norway...!! quickest way home...Puma with internal tanks...back to GUT... Britannia trooper was held to get him on... a/c then filed an OAT flightplan and cleared direct to LTN...then airlift by AAC to heli site at the hospital.... door to door time less than 12hrs....
COME ON 2 STAR STAFF.....
READ AND DIGEST THIS THREAD !!!!!!
caps used for effect..!!
so dont try to fix things that aint broken !!!!
I remember being in Gutersloh, just promoted, and dealt with a Comp A, Army SNCO.
He was in Norway...!! quickest way home...Puma with internal tanks...back to GUT... Britannia trooper was held to get him on... a/c then filed an OAT flightplan and cleared direct to LTN...then airlift by AAC to heli site at the hospital.... door to door time less than 12hrs....
COME ON 2 STAR STAFF.....
READ AND DIGEST THIS THREAD !!!!!!
caps used for effect..!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 58-33N. 00-18W. Peterborough UK
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts