Operation Saif Sareea 2 Information
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Lancashire, United Kingdom
Age: 53
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Come the day of the race, in a real war/conflict/fight/disagreement, buildings have "target" written on them, so I'm quite happy to continue FOBing for the practice. 
I suppose it is the same reason we dont wear our wings on dpm - it defeats the purpose. So why exercise without an inkling of realism? Hotels are all well and good, but can we always count on HNS and hard accom? I dont think so. So, please, enough of the "I dont need to live in a tent and I dont want to" comments. It makes us all look childish, spoilt and inneffective at what we do, or are supposed to do. Any civvies reading this thread must wonder what the hell they are spending their tax money on. So, forgive me if I don't join the ranks of the hotel lovers who are quite vociferous upon this thread. It's a stick I don't want to be tarred with and an immpression I don't want to give to the public.
I suppose it is the same reason we dont wear our wings on dpm - it defeats the purpose. So why exercise without an inkling of realism? Hotels are all well and good, but can we always count on HNS and hard accom? I dont think so. So, please, enough of the "I dont need to live in a tent and I dont want to" comments. It makes us all look childish, spoilt and inneffective at what we do, or are supposed to do. Any civvies reading this thread must wonder what the hell they are spending their tax money on. So, forgive me if I don't join the ranks of the hotel lovers who are quite vociferous upon this thread. It's a stick I don't want to be tarred with and an immpression I don't want to give to the public.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Truro
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RAF boys - If you had joined the ranks of the senior service you could all exercise in air conditioned luxury onboard one of Her Majesties fine RFA cruise liners. Fitted with all 1960's mod cons and complete with vibrating furniture. Everyday is a luxury in the Royal Navy. Has anybody got any idea why a north sea ASW squadron is exercising in the Gulf? Bodgit and Scarper planners have been at work me thinks!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Truro
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Oggin Aviator!
You're right! Didn't fancy those long back to back front line tours that you boys seem to get either! Besides - had a go at fast jet and it all seemed a little too much like all work and no play! Rotary ta re, the seaking's the girl for me, she ditches so gracefully, rotary ta re ta re! See you around the bazaars.
You're right! Didn't fancy those long back to back front line tours that you boys seem to get either! Besides - had a go at fast jet and it all seemed a little too much like all work and no play! Rotary ta re, the seaking's the girl for me, she ditches so gracefully, rotary ta re ta re! See you around the bazaars.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Scotland, UK
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Just perussing this forum and had to laugh at the hypocrisy of 'the aircrew' That's right the lonely voice of an engineer! Using flight safety as an arguement for staying in hotels or other suitable accommodation is beyond belief. How many times have 'grow-bags' crewed in under the influence? Of course it doesn't really matter when the budget is picking up the tab for a very comfortable hotel room in North America. Flight safety, never heard of it, not over the sound of the imprest officer handing out my rates! We all benefit from the good dets, but take the rough with the smooth and earn your keep like the rest of the world.
Hugs and Kisses, enjoy Oman, I did; the Holiday Inn was fab! Unfortunately not on this det.....it's not good enough!
Hugs and Kisses, enjoy Oman, I did; the Holiday Inn was fab! Unfortunately not on this det.....it's not good enough!
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Scotland
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Rene, try posting that thread again after you're sat in the plane of your choice, on an important trip, and the pilot walks on, looking like death warmed up 'cos he got a crap nights sleep at the side of the runway, or he was kept awake by some other disturbance. I imagine you wouldn't sound so smug then my old chap, when your life is at risk.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Scotland, UK
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SB, sorry to offend, but the point is that when everything is sweet flight safety is a secondary consideration. We have all seen sorties go ahead regardless of crew 'fatigue' or 'snags' with the a/c. I'm sure you're aware that this scenario is very common. It is something we all accept, engineers and aircrew alike, but don't bring flight safety in as a point of arguement when it is clearly flouted on too many other occasions. You're right my confidence would falter if I spied the pilot looking like crap. I would be equally concerned if I witnessed an engineer with the same symptoms completing a hydraulic union for a control surface and you have air-con in your tent.
Although I'm not on this det' I have been in similar circumstances and I don't remember any moaning, except from the odd bad apple, and that apple was on both sides of the fence!
I'm not looking for enemies, but the same boat comes to mind....sink or swim, the choice is yours.
Although I'm not on this det' I have been in similar circumstances and I don't remember any moaning, except from the odd bad apple, and that apple was on both sides of the fence!
I'm not looking for enemies, but the same boat comes to mind....sink or swim, the choice is yours.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: UK
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Unofficial death-toll on this ex is now 9 (and 2 squaddie chefs did die of heat stroke). Everybody has to be worried about safety on a junket like this one.
It's OK though as the budget is for no more than 25 dead and one crashed fast-jet before questions start being asked!!
[ 21 August 2001: Message edited by: Mr Rotavator ]
It's OK though as the budget is for no more than 25 dead and one crashed fast-jet before questions start being asked!!
[ 21 August 2001: Message edited by: Mr Rotavator ]
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: UK
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Having just read thro' all previous posted on the subj I now understand why i get so much banter at work! Whingeing grobags basically! Hotac blah blah, noise blah blah, climate control blah blah.
As a lightblue job on temporary loan to Pongo & Co, the boot is on the other foot for me. I have some recent-ish experience (2.5 yrs in total) of the whole peninsular area in question and generally, though not exclusively, from the comfort of 1 Hotac or another and taking in 1 or 2 excellent cocktail parties compliments of HMS Various!
Unlike some previous correspondents however, I am prepared to take the rough (current tour) with the smooth (previous tours ) and while not excited at the prospect of my stint on SSII, I accept my return to the area with the brown jobs on SSII as part of the JOB!
I have 2 useful suggestions for those not happy with their lot on SSII:
1. Try the Thumrait Motel just outside camp gates for anyone not happy with canvas - a fine estab it is too!
2. Try those excellent foam earplugs the truckie mates are so quick to hand out down the back of Albert while they enjoy proper headgear and crewmeals etc!!
Bottom line guys, stop f***ing whingeing and show some respect for the few.
"Talk to the hand coz the face ain't listening"
M-L
As a lightblue job on temporary loan to Pongo & Co, the boot is on the other foot for me. I have some recent-ish experience (2.5 yrs in total) of the whole peninsular area in question and generally, though not exclusively, from the comfort of 1 Hotac or another and taking in 1 or 2 excellent cocktail parties compliments of HMS Various!
Unlike some previous correspondents however, I am prepared to take the rough (current tour) with the smooth (previous tours ) and while not excited at the prospect of my stint on SSII, I accept my return to the area with the brown jobs on SSII as part of the JOB!
I have 2 useful suggestions for those not happy with their lot on SSII:
1. Try the Thumrait Motel just outside camp gates for anyone not happy with canvas - a fine estab it is too!
2. Try those excellent foam earplugs the truckie mates are so quick to hand out down the back of Albert while they enjoy proper headgear and crewmeals etc!!
Bottom line guys, stop f***ing whingeing and show some respect for the few.
"Talk to the hand coz the face ain't listening"
M-L
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SW England
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If the death toll is nine already, I can't wait till it all kicks off for real next week.
The two latest ones just show you shouldn't go playing around with snakes, apparently they're dangerous.
The two latest ones just show you shouldn't go playing around with snakes, apparently they're dangerous.
Met-Loader
Why do you not take your own ear defenders?
You are very welcome to come up the front and put my headset on
Whilst you're at it, you can do the radios, flying and navigating...then you can eat your re-heated plate of sheet, that's meant to constitute a meal, balancing it on your lap because to eat eat infront of the pax would be torture, remembering of course that we will be doing it all again the next day/night......
give me a hammock and a good book anyday!
Why do you not take your own ear defenders?
You are very welcome to come up the front and put my headset on
Whilst you're at it, you can do the radios, flying and navigating...then you can eat your re-heated plate of sheet, that's meant to constitute a meal, balancing it on your lap because to eat eat infront of the pax would be torture, remembering of course that we will be doing it all again the next day/night......
give me a hammock and a good book anyday!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: UK
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Met-Loader
I've done the (Hotel from Hell) Thumrait Motel and it was the worst nights sleep I have ever had, I would like to know how they manage to get so many lumpy bits into such a thin mattress. By the way Fat Alberts oven only does 5 meals at a time and even then we are lucky if we get one as the oven usually goes t*ts up. So top tip if you do get into the hotel from hell take a camp bed or an air bed. It is air conditioned but you have to switch that off as it is too noisy..........enjoy.
I've done the (Hotel from Hell) Thumrait Motel and it was the worst nights sleep I have ever had, I would like to know how they manage to get so many lumpy bits into such a thin mattress. By the way Fat Alberts oven only does 5 meals at a time and even then we are lucky if we get one as the oven usually goes t*ts up. So top tip if you do get into the hotel from hell take a camp bed or an air bed. It is air conditioned but you have to switch that off as it is too noisy..........enjoy.
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Oxfordshire
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Also just come back from 18 hrs in theatre. Shambolic cannot describe the setup @ the mo!
Tents for visiting aircrew? What tents?
Comms? What comms?
Enough gnd equip? Where?!
Had to chuckle at the Thumrait Motel though. Must be the only hotel in the Middle East where you sleep in your own sleeping bag on the bed (Have YOU seen how dirty the sheets are?) and wash the following morning from the bottle of water from the local shop as the shower is either:
a: missing its head
b: exploding with ants
c: or has an unturned bucket with a blackish 'substance' underneath it in the middle of the cubicle!
Very reasonable food though.
Just a few thoughts...
Tents for visiting aircrew? What tents?
Comms? What comms?
Enough gnd equip? Where?!
Had to chuckle at the Thumrait Motel though. Must be the only hotel in the Middle East where you sleep in your own sleeping bag on the bed (Have YOU seen how dirty the sheets are?) and wash the following morning from the bottle of water from the local shop as the shower is either:
a: missing its head
b: exploding with ants
c: or has an unturned bucket with a blackish 'substance' underneath it in the middle of the cubicle!
Very reasonable food though.
Just a few thoughts...
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: England
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Latest gossip from Thumrait is that water is available for showers, it's just the actual shower hardware that's missing from the equation.... and the solution?....bring your own! Just gotta hope that drinking water is available too...
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: East Yorkshire
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what's a desert, is it the thing you eat after dinner?
Now where's my nice mug of cocoa
ps
if any one sees a wee 'jock bird' chinny pilot, send her my regards!!
[ 27 August 2001: Message edited by: SARBoy Loser ]
Now where's my nice mug of cocoa
ps
if any one sees a wee 'jock bird' chinny pilot, send her my regards!!
[ 27 August 2001: Message edited by: SARBoy Loser ]
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: York,England
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C.Robin. Come on, stop verballing the guys. They are only trying to make a point.I think we have all been there in some way, shape or form. Let's try to work together, rather then give it the "My firm is better than yours" line. Just a thought.