XV 179 : 7 years ago today....
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: england
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XV 179 : 7 years ago today....
7 years ago today, on the 30st January 2005 at 1330Z the crew and passenger of the Hercules C130K, callsign Hilton 22 (XV179) were flying north-west from Baghdad International Airport. They were en-route to Balad when the aircraft received sustained gunfire from an insurgent team over whom they had unwittingly flown. The aircraft suffered a catastrophic failure following this assault when an explosion caused twenty three feet of the starboard wing to detach, outboard of number 4 engine.
The aircraft crashed killing all ten men on board;
Sqn Ldr Pat “Paddy” Marshall,
Flt Lt David “Steady” Stead,
Flt Lt Andy “Smudge” Smith,
Flt Lt Paul “Pards” Pardoel,
MEng Gary “Gary Nic” Nicholson,
Flt Sgt Mark “Gibbo” Gibson,
Chf Tech Ritchie “Delia” Brown,
Sgt Bob “Logical Bob” O’Connor,
Cpl David Williams,
L/Cpl “Jonah” Jones.
RIP chaps have a cold one for us... Gone but never forgotten
The aircraft crashed killing all ten men on board;
Sqn Ldr Pat “Paddy” Marshall,
Flt Lt David “Steady” Stead,
Flt Lt Andy “Smudge” Smith,
Flt Lt Paul “Pards” Pardoel,
MEng Gary “Gary Nic” Nicholson,
Flt Sgt Mark “Gibbo” Gibson,
Chf Tech Ritchie “Delia” Brown,
Sgt Bob “Logical Bob” O’Connor,
Cpl David Williams,
L/Cpl “Jonah” Jones.
RIP chaps have a cold one for us... Gone but never forgotten
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Glass duly raised, and a little smile at good memories with all of them. Never more so at subsequently seeing the mess hall named after Gibbo, a somewhat ironic and humorous gesture...... RIP lads.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: W Sussex
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On the western sea wall path at Thorney Island are two memorial seats. One is in memory of Steve Jones. A peaceful and fitting place for the memorial given TI's history. For anyone in the area, the footpath around the island is well worth the walk.
I tried to upload a picture but couldn't. Probably cos I'm a probationary ppruner.
RIP guys
I tried to upload a picture but couldn't. Probably cos I'm a probationary ppruner.
RIP guys
Join Date: Oct 1999
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I had the pleasure to earn my wings with Steady, then join him on LXX before he moved across the building to 47.
Just a great guy, a top bloke.
Per Ardua ad Astra.
Just a great guy, a top bloke.
Per Ardua ad Astra.
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
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It may not be generally known that XV179 was the Hercules sent to Toronto back in September 1995 to repatriate the bodies of the crew of Nimrod XV239.
I remember watching it climb out over Toronto taking them home and feeling very moved by the poignancy of the moment.
I was very sad to learn of its later loss in action.
RIP gentlemen.
I remember watching it climb out over Toronto taking them home and feeling very moved by the poignancy of the moment.
I was very sad to learn of its later loss in action.
RIP gentlemen.