32(TR) Sqn - Why do we have/need them?
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Caz
I hope you are now feeling better and if not I wish you a speedy recovery. I had decided not to prolong this thread, however your latest little jibe at SFFP and myself changed all that.
I note that yet again you have gone to extraordinary lengths to give us all the benefit of details of your flying experience but fail to answer any of the questions asked by SFFP and myself (and others) ref Corporate, so I will assume that these are too difficult for you to answer and thus I will not persue them. Your lack of responce speaks volumes however.
As for Piper Alpha, well, what a coincidence that we should be flying on the same operation together!! I won't tell you which of the RESCUE 01 Nimrods I was flying, suffice to say that it was one of the very early ones.
Piper A exploded on 6 July 1988 at approx 10pm, and you are now telling us that within 2 hours of that (roughly midnight 6/7 July) 32 Sqn had launched every aircraft you had in support of that ?? I can tell you that by midnight, the situation was so confused and chaotic that I doubt if anyone really knew the true extent of things.
Even by daybreak, the full scale of the disaster had not been fully realised and as I recall, by the lunchtime of the 7 July, there was nothing significant of the rig left at all. Enough said about that
Your comment of
'within 2 hours of the disaster every aircraft on the Sqn was airborne moving Specialist Medical Teams, Engineers and Disaster Management Teams to assist the Immediate Response Emergency Teams who were first on the scene' I do not believe Sir, and I am sure that those others who flew on Piper A and have a better recollection of that dreadful night me will verify that.
From what i recall, the responce teams that were 'first on the scene' were those Rig support vessels and other support ships that were in the vicinity of the rig. Sea Kings from Lossie were first airborne assets on scene but were unable to get in too close because of the fire and continuing explosions throughout the night. Even they were ferrying casualties to rig support ships.
Now, you might have been callled and you might have been involved in moving people around the country, but please don't give us all this rubbish about having every aircraft airborne within 2 hours, carrying specialist people and kit around. Just think about the logistics of that statement.
I must get down to check out the Sqn F540 for 32 sqn and read all about their exploits. It will make great reading I'm sure.
ps Not edited in any way whatsoever.
pps I haven't checked my 3 (RAF) Flying log books, so I can't give you a total breakdown of my hours on type, and I can't tell you how many hours I flew on SAROPS either, but then again I don't sleep with my log books!
I hope you are now feeling better and if not I wish you a speedy recovery. I had decided not to prolong this thread, however your latest little jibe at SFFP and myself changed all that.
I note that yet again you have gone to extraordinary lengths to give us all the benefit of details of your flying experience but fail to answer any of the questions asked by SFFP and myself (and others) ref Corporate, so I will assume that these are too difficult for you to answer and thus I will not persue them. Your lack of responce speaks volumes however.
As for Piper Alpha, well, what a coincidence that we should be flying on the same operation together!! I won't tell you which of the RESCUE 01 Nimrods I was flying, suffice to say that it was one of the very early ones.
Piper A exploded on 6 July 1988 at approx 10pm, and you are now telling us that within 2 hours of that (roughly midnight 6/7 July) 32 Sqn had launched every aircraft you had in support of that ?? I can tell you that by midnight, the situation was so confused and chaotic that I doubt if anyone really knew the true extent of things.
Even by daybreak, the full scale of the disaster had not been fully realised and as I recall, by the lunchtime of the 7 July, there was nothing significant of the rig left at all. Enough said about that
Your comment of
'within 2 hours of the disaster every aircraft on the Sqn was airborne moving Specialist Medical Teams, Engineers and Disaster Management Teams to assist the Immediate Response Emergency Teams who were first on the scene' I do not believe Sir, and I am sure that those others who flew on Piper A and have a better recollection of that dreadful night me will verify that.
From what i recall, the responce teams that were 'first on the scene' were those Rig support vessels and other support ships that were in the vicinity of the rig. Sea Kings from Lossie were first airborne assets on scene but were unable to get in too close because of the fire and continuing explosions throughout the night. Even they were ferrying casualties to rig support ships.
Now, you might have been callled and you might have been involved in moving people around the country, but please don't give us all this rubbish about having every aircraft airborne within 2 hours, carrying specialist people and kit around. Just think about the logistics of that statement.
I must get down to check out the Sqn F540 for 32 sqn and read all about their exploits. It will make great reading I'm sure.
ps Not edited in any way whatsoever.
pps I haven't checked my 3 (RAF) Flying log books, so I can't give you a total breakdown of my hours on type, and I can't tell you how many hours I flew on SAROPS either, but then again I don't sleep with my log books!
Cunning Artificer
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...they were a great bunch of guys...
Great guys? I'd describe this "great guy" with a different word, beginning with "W" and ending in "er".
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Right, the Op Corporate and 32 Sqn **** stirring has gone far enough!
FOR THE RECORD.
I (plus 2 other guys) were flown by 32 Sqn HS125 from RAF Brize Norton to RAF Gibraltar late April 1982. We were given 3 hours notice to move. The car journey from RAF Upavon to RAF Brize Norton will always be remembered. We were carrying TS Crypto for use by the first elements of the Taskforce.
The Transflight Signal that initiated the whole journey was sent Flash (the first Flash Signal I had ever seen) and was codeworded Op Corporate. I know because I wrote the signal. I was countersigned by MALM K** B*******, the DOpsO.
The third memorable thing about the whole tasking was that the co-pilot of the HS125 was a Flt Lt F**** M******** who I had not seen since the pair of us had passed out from an AATC Course at RAF Shawbury some years earlier.
Surely to God, end this public spat. It serves no purpose.
FOR THE RECORD.
I (plus 2 other guys) were flown by 32 Sqn HS125 from RAF Brize Norton to RAF Gibraltar late April 1982. We were given 3 hours notice to move. The car journey from RAF Upavon to RAF Brize Norton will always be remembered. We were carrying TS Crypto for use by the first elements of the Taskforce.
The Transflight Signal that initiated the whole journey was sent Flash (the first Flash Signal I had ever seen) and was codeworded Op Corporate. I know because I wrote the signal. I was countersigned by MALM K** B*******, the DOpsO.
The third memorable thing about the whole tasking was that the co-pilot of the HS125 was a Flt Lt F**** M******** who I had not seen since the pair of us had passed out from an AATC Course at RAF Shawbury some years earlier.
Surely to God, end this public spat. It serves no purpose.
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As an ex-member of the RAF can I just say that this little spat makes me very happy.
Very happy that I reached the dizzying rank of Corporal.
Officer class?
Classless officers maybe closer to the mark.....
Very happy that I reached the dizzying rank of Corporal.
Officer class?
Classless officers maybe closer to the mark.....
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^^ As sweeping generalisations go, not bad Dual Ground. Next you will tell us is that NCO's are sooo much better
32's Op record speaks for itself. Just because it isn't splattered across the front of RAF news each month and we don't shout about what we do, don't assume we haven't got a role to play.
Adeste Comites
32's Op record speaks for itself. Just because it isn't splattered across the front of RAF news each month and we don't shout about what we do, don't assume we haven't got a role to play.
Adeste Comites
Last edited by Spiro; 24th Nov 2010 at 19:24.
..............................flown by 32 Sqn HS125 from RAF Brize Norton to RAF Gibraltar late April 1982. We were given 3 hours notice to move.
Spare us the willy-waving. Everyone who was around at the time made a contribution to Op Corporate so to claim that some were more special than others ('Them' excepted) is a fatuous comment at the very least. I've said my piece now I'm out of it!
4ma
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4ma
It was late April. It took a wee time for certain ships to be abeam Gib on the way down south.
And yes, Everyone who was around at the time made a contribution.
It was late April. It took a wee time for certain ships to be abeam Gib on the way down south.
And yes, Everyone who was around at the time made a contribution.
Brachyura argumenticus
These crabs may be seen crawling with their borrowed aircraft far from the ocean. Due to the scarcity or disappearance of aircraft these days because of financial cuts the crab on the left has found an old plastic cab! Also known as Land Crabs, as their name suggests they live most of the time inland and only return to the sea for a short time to find their sea legs. Some young may become members of the FAA but recently even these have been forced to take up life on dry land due to the loss of their traditional aquatic habitat.
The 'Plastic Cab' appears to be the popular choice for many young crabs. However, as they grow they have to seek out new larger aircraft, the Hercules being a popular choice for the bigger individuals of the species. It can be quite a performance finding an aircraft these days, these being in increasingly short supply, so they quickly move into their new home before fellow cannibalistic crabs, who might well want the same, eat them!
Last edited by Wokkafans; 29th Nov 2010 at 09:22. Reason: Spellink!
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UJ - he is good!
I am currently away from my box of hissy fit Crabs but am home next week. Perhaps the debate may have got even fiercer by then - waving bags of imprest at each other to see whose is bigger....................
I am currently away from my box of hissy fit Crabs but am home next week. Perhaps the debate may have got even fiercer by then - waving bags of imprest at each other to see whose is bigger....................
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bast0n
Or perhaps "Winco" might do some research and learn about "The King's Flight" and its role in WW2 when it formed the nucleus of 161 Sqn which earned its keep by inserting Secret Agents into enemy occupied territory - as well as collecting escaped POW's and Aircrews who had evaded capture after bailing out over enemy held territory.
The original Sqn Cdr was the "Captain of the King's Flight" - a title which he retained as it was bestowed by the Court and not the RAF. Another distinguished pilot became ACM Sir Lewis Hodges KCB,CBE,DSO and bar, DFC and bar, Grand Officier de la Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre.
One young Fg Off Pilot with a DFC was recorded in the Line Book in 1943 as saying -"You feel a bit naked with just one gong" !! Not all the pilots were British - Lt Per Hysing-Dahl (a Norwegian Pilot) later became a member of the Norwegian Parliament.
PS Just how many hostile submarines have RAF MPA destroyed since the end of WW2?
Or perhaps "Winco" might do some research and learn about "The King's Flight" and its role in WW2 when it formed the nucleus of 161 Sqn which earned its keep by inserting Secret Agents into enemy occupied territory - as well as collecting escaped POW's and Aircrews who had evaded capture after bailing out over enemy held territory.
The original Sqn Cdr was the "Captain of the King's Flight" - a title which he retained as it was bestowed by the Court and not the RAF. Another distinguished pilot became ACM Sir Lewis Hodges KCB,CBE,DSO and bar, DFC and bar, Grand Officier de la Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre.
One young Fg Off Pilot with a DFC was recorded in the Line Book in 1943 as saying -"You feel a bit naked with just one gong" !! Not all the pilots were British - Lt Per Hysing-Dahl (a Norwegian Pilot) later became a member of the Norwegian Parliament.
PS Just how many hostile submarines have RAF MPA destroyed since the end of WW2?
Last edited by cazatou; 26th Nov 2010 at 12:52.