'Shocking pictures show female RAF recruit hurled around by naked servicemen'
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'Shocking pictures show female RAF recruit hurled around by naked servicemen'
Was this sort of thing still common in the RAF at the turn of the millennium? 
Or was it an aberration at an outpost with weak supervision and leadership?
Did RAF officers partake in similar hazing ŕ la Tailhook?
The timing of this 2001 RAF Mount Alice revelation seems to coincide with the victim's performance of a play at the 'Underbelly Edinburgh Fringe Festival' whatever that is.
Pictures in the Mirror article here:
Shocking pictures show female RAF recruit hurled around by naked servicemen in 'initiation ritual' - Mirror Online
Or was it an aberration at an outpost with weak supervision and leadership?
Did RAF officers partake in similar hazing ŕ la Tailhook?
The timing of this 2001 RAF Mount Alice revelation seems to coincide with the victim's performance of a play at the 'Underbelly Edinburgh Fringe Festival' whatever that is.
Shocking pictures show female RAF recruit hurled around by naked servicemen in 'initiation ritual'
Rebecca Crookshank was just 21 when she arrived in the Falkland Islands but says it wasn't long before sexual harassment became simply a matter of routine
By Amy Sharpe 22:39, 29 JUL 2017
A woman recruit is hurled around by naked servicemen in a shocking “initiation ceremony”.
One man – with just rubber gloves on his head and genitals – presses Rebecca Crookshank against him as a mate assists.
In a second picture she is held in a crude sexual position.
Rebecca, then just 21, was the only female among 28 RAF recruits and says sexual harassment became simply a matter of routine.
It comes after an investigation reveals military police launched at least 113 probes into claims of rape, sexual assault and harassment last year, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The particular bullying happened at RAF Mount Alice in the Falklands, where she was posted for four weeks in 2001. When she was flown in by helicopter she was greeted by a row of men, buttocks exposed.
Rebecca, now 36, said: “It was the beginning of a dark time.
Rebecca Crookshank was just 21 when she arrived in the Falkland Islands but says it wasn't long before sexual harassment became simply a matter of routine
By Amy Sharpe 22:39, 29 JUL 2017
A woman recruit is hurled around by naked servicemen in a shocking “initiation ceremony”.
One man – with just rubber gloves on his head and genitals – presses Rebecca Crookshank against him as a mate assists.
In a second picture she is held in a crude sexual position.
Rebecca, then just 21, was the only female among 28 RAF recruits and says sexual harassment became simply a matter of routine.
It comes after an investigation reveals military police launched at least 113 probes into claims of rape, sexual assault and harassment last year, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The particular bullying happened at RAF Mount Alice in the Falklands, where she was posted for four weeks in 2001. When she was flown in by helicopter she was greeted by a row of men, buttocks exposed.
Rebecca, now 36, said: “It was the beginning of a dark time.
Shocking pictures show female RAF recruit hurled around by naked servicemen in 'initiation ritual' - Mirror Online
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
without discussing the case in question.
Mount Alice was an operational radar site on West Falkland and manned by operational personnel - no recruits on the unit.
Personnel were sent there on 4 month deployment from the permanent units. No one was posted there, and certainly not for 4 weeks (I was there July-Novemeber 1992).
Whilst female officers could be sent there as individuals, female Ors were only sent when there was a female officer deployed and at least 2 at a time to a female only cabin/room.
The temporary nature of the duty and rapid turnover of personnel make the concept of "initiation" ceremonies unlikely, there would have to have been one a week. The unit was also physically very small and any such activities would be virtually impossible to take place without the NCOs and Officers on unit being aware.
In short, there are several major errors of fact.
Mount Alice was an operational radar site on West Falkland and manned by operational personnel - no recruits on the unit.
Personnel were sent there on 4 month deployment from the permanent units. No one was posted there, and certainly not for 4 weeks (I was there July-Novemeber 1992).
Whilst female officers could be sent there as individuals, female Ors were only sent when there was a female officer deployed and at least 2 at a time to a female only cabin/room.
The temporary nature of the duty and rapid turnover of personnel make the concept of "initiation" ceremonies unlikely, there would have to have been one a week. The unit was also physically very small and any such activities would be virtually impossible to take place without the NCOs and Officers on unit being aware.
In short, there are several major errors of fact.
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Thanks for the detail, ORAC. Agree there are a lot of apparent errors in the article, as you highlight.
Long after my time on Stanley airfield (1983), but a couple of subsidiary questions for clarity, please.
1. Mount Alice was a full 4-month deployment? That is one bleak and lonely place to spend the time. Did you ever get R&R during the det?
2. Roughly how many personnel on the unit?
3. Could the "4 weeks" have been a temporary move from Mount Kent [assuming she was TG12] or from Stanley/Mt Pleasant to fill a temporary shortfall in a particular Trade?
4. Is that a solid fuel stove and chimney in the background of the 1st picture? Does that resonate with your memories?
An unpleasant story as presented, though.
Long after my time on Stanley airfield (1983), but a couple of subsidiary questions for clarity, please.
1. Mount Alice was a full 4-month deployment? That is one bleak and lonely place to spend the time. Did you ever get R&R during the det?
2. Roughly how many personnel on the unit?
3. Could the "4 weeks" have been a temporary move from Mount Kent [assuming she was TG12] or from Stanley/Mt Pleasant to fill a temporary shortfall in a particular Trade?
4. Is that a solid fuel stove and chimney in the background of the 1st picture? Does that resonate with your memories?
An unpleasant story as presented, though.
Last edited by MPN11; 1st Aug 2017 at 09:58. Reason: Google Earth image won't upload
The Journalist wrongly refers to them as recruits. She was on a 4 month det to the FI with her final month spent at the radar site.
I don't buy her story but no doubt the cupboard full of free money will shortly be opened.
I don't buy her story but no doubt the cupboard full of free money will shortly be opened.
In much the same way as any WW2 pilot is an ace or a modern fighter pilot is a Top Gun, so any young serviceman or woman is a recruit.
And might we actually consider the possibility that she is telling the truth?
And might we actually consider the possibility that she is telling the truth?
OK, here are the facts. I was the CO from 1999 to 2002.
There are about 20 people on the remote Radar Sites ranging from Chefs to Technicians. The HQ is the Control and Reporting Centre at MPA. The HQ is known as Griffin and the Unit 303SU.
The radar site boss was a Chief Tech.
All the TG12 personnel were based at MPA. However, we did send one to each site on a 2 to 4 week rotation, male or female, for the experience and also to fill an operational requirement that is not relevant to this 'story'.
Did things occasionally get out of hand on the remote sites? - yes. The main culprits were usually visitors invited up from MPA for parties. It was an irritation but nothing major and the usual I.e too much drink, some damage and the odd scuffle.
Initiation ceremonies were always an issue and often difficult to police. You could have call the policies you wanted, and we did,but when the helicopter leaves and the doors are shut.....these activities were by no means unique to the radar sites. Some of the worst happened at MPA.
Regarding this young ladies account: those pictures seem genuine enough and are not good. That activity was not condoned and had I, or any other Officer, been aware of it it would have been stopped immediately. Those responsible would have been dealt with accordingly.
However, no complaint was ever made either at the time or in the months/years afterwards by this female (or anyone else on the site, including dozens of visitors). Everyone was interviewed when they left 303SU and we always encouraged honest feedback in order to make things better for those who came next. If she was so traumatised and upset why did she not scream from the rooftops. She did not. Offered a trip in an F3? Rubbish. That was not within anyone's gift who worked on the unit.
Friends of mine saw her show last year and asked her direct questions afterwards regarding names etc. She was unwilling or unable to answer.
The fringe is starting next week and she has a show to advertise. This is nothing more than a publicity stunt.
There are about 20 people on the remote Radar Sites ranging from Chefs to Technicians. The HQ is the Control and Reporting Centre at MPA. The HQ is known as Griffin and the Unit 303SU.
The radar site boss was a Chief Tech.
All the TG12 personnel were based at MPA. However, we did send one to each site on a 2 to 4 week rotation, male or female, for the experience and also to fill an operational requirement that is not relevant to this 'story'.
Did things occasionally get out of hand on the remote sites? - yes. The main culprits were usually visitors invited up from MPA for parties. It was an irritation but nothing major and the usual I.e too much drink, some damage and the odd scuffle.
Initiation ceremonies were always an issue and often difficult to police. You could have call the policies you wanted, and we did,but when the helicopter leaves and the doors are shut.....these activities were by no means unique to the radar sites. Some of the worst happened at MPA.
Regarding this young ladies account: those pictures seem genuine enough and are not good. That activity was not condoned and had I, or any other Officer, been aware of it it would have been stopped immediately. Those responsible would have been dealt with accordingly.
However, no complaint was ever made either at the time or in the months/years afterwards by this female (or anyone else on the site, including dozens of visitors). Everyone was interviewed when they left 303SU and we always encouraged honest feedback in order to make things better for those who came next. If she was so traumatised and upset why did she not scream from the rooftops. She did not. Offered a trip in an F3? Rubbish. That was not within anyone's gift who worked on the unit.
Friends of mine saw her show last year and asked her direct questions afterwards regarding names etc. She was unwilling or unable to answer.
The fringe is starting next week and she has a show to advertise. This is nothing more than a publicity stunt.
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I served in FI during 87. At that time I am quite sure only female officers were on the mountain tops.......and not too many of them. As ORAC has suggested the drafters at Innsworth would of taken into account the status of females/numbers before detaching any females. As for the head count at the sites.......time has taken its toll but I seem to recall one site having 24 personnel and that would of included Turner Diesel staff. On a slightly different thread I recall the arrival of a male FS to one of the mountain tops. His attitude/demeanour was having such a affect on morale he was brought down to Mount Pleasant and spent the remainder of his 3.5 months as the SWOs side kick. All 3 sites were close knit communities working hard in pretty harsh conditions I would have serious doubts as to the veracity of the claims....how has she been able to get hold of the photos if she was the victim?
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Wyler.
Ignoring the written article above, have you not seen the TV programme with a focussed report on this very issue?
This is hardly a new story. One of the claims made by a female in the programme was that she complained about the treatment to her CoC but was told she had to stay there.
What stood out foe me in the TV orogramme AND the written article is the idea that a small remote site would have an initiation ceremony that involved sexually suggestive practices. While I'm used to some army units having initiation ceremonies/nights I found it odd that It was acceptable for a remote site with only a few personnel to have one.
I note that I havent seen male RAF personnel mention themselves going through this same ritual. Maybe Ive just missed them.
Ignoring the written article above, have you not seen the TV programme with a focussed report on this very issue?
This is hardly a new story. One of the claims made by a female in the programme was that she complained about the treatment to her CoC but was told she had to stay there.
What stood out foe me in the TV orogramme AND the written article is the idea that a small remote site would have an initiation ceremony that involved sexually suggestive practices. While I'm used to some army units having initiation ceremonies/nights I found it odd that It was acceptable for a remote site with only a few personnel to have one.
I note that I havent seen male RAF personnel mention themselves going through this same ritual. Maybe Ive just missed them.
Barnstormer.
It is NOT acceptable. It would never have been acceptable. It will never be acceptable.
She made no complaint to anyone In the the HQ. if she had complained on the mountain and been refused why did she not pick up the phone? Why did she not make a formal complaint the minute she got back to MPA?
I am not saying this so called ceremony did not happen. I am not saying she found it unacceptable, I am saying it was against ALL the rules and I still cannot understand why she kept so quiet for so long.
It does, however, give her show a boost..
It is NOT acceptable. It would never have been acceptable. It will never be acceptable.
She made no complaint to anyone In the the HQ. if she had complained on the mountain and been refused why did she not pick up the phone? Why did she not make a formal complaint the minute she got back to MPA?
I am not saying this so called ceremony did not happen. I am not saying she found it unacceptable, I am saying it was against ALL the rules and I still cannot understand why she kept so quiet for so long.
It does, however, give her show a boost..
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Barnstormer.
It is NOT acceptable. It would never have been acceptable. It will never be acceptable.
She made no complaint to anyone In the the HQ. if she had complained on the mountain and been refused why did she not pick up the phone? Why did she not make a formal complaint the minute she got back to MPA?
I am not saying this so called ceremony did not happen. I am not saying she found it unacceptable, I am saying it was against ALL the rules and I still cannot understand why she kept so quiet for so long.
It does, however, give her show a boost..
It is NOT acceptable. It would never have been acceptable. It will never be acceptable.
She made no complaint to anyone In the the HQ. if she had complained on the mountain and been refused why did she not pick up the phone? Why did she not make a formal complaint the minute she got back to MPA?
I am not saying this so called ceremony did not happen. I am not saying she found it unacceptable, I am saying it was against ALL the rules and I still cannot understand why she kept so quiet for so long.
It does, however, give her show a boost..
There have been several tv, tv news and printed articles on this story for quite a while.
I am Surprised that I have not been formally contacted at any time. None of my colleagues at the time have ever been contacted.
I would have thought the first thing she would have done would be to note names, ranks, times, conversations etc. I would have expected, and fully condoned, her to create merry hell.
I am genuinely sorry that she had this experience. This was down to some very sad individuals breaking the rules. I really wish she had kicked down my door and screamed blue murder. I would have taken great delight in dealing with all those involved. So would 99.9% of those who were there at the time.
I would have thought the first thing she would have done would be to note names, ranks, times, conversations etc. I would have expected, and fully condoned, her to create merry hell.
I am genuinely sorry that she had this experience. This was down to some very sad individuals breaking the rules. I really wish she had kicked down my door and screamed blue murder. I would have taken great delight in dealing with all those involved. So would 99.9% of those who were there at the time.
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I know nothing of this particular incident. However, I was based at MPA for 4 months in the first half of 1988 and visited Alice/Byron/Kent on a number of occasions as part of the 78 Sqn task - I could fully believe the antics as described. For sure, excessive alcohol consumption had a part to play in numerous occurrences.
Vague recollection - Alice was the only site where female scopies were sent with Byron and Mount Kent being male only.
Vague recollection - Alice was the only site where female scopies were sent with Byron and Mount Kent being male only.
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But who took the pictures? Such evidence is incontrovertible so no excuse for it being hidden.
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
It seems reasonable to assume this actually happened as described (photographic evidence), so to Wyler's point of "why didn't she report it?'
Although 2001 seems recent to most of us, a lot has happened around the perception of professional conduct and sexual harassment in those 17 years. It is likely that having been treated in such a manner, this individual had little or no faith in the "chain of command". Allegedly, she has been sexually assaulted and abused by a large group of male servicemen, some of who were in positions of responsibility, but yet participated or condoned in the assault. It is not difficult to imagine a young isolated female would not choose to report this to the very people who were responsible.
If nothing else, the whole sordid tale of Operation Yewtree demonstrated time after time that young impressionable people are easily intimidated by those in authority and will choose not report crimes until years later . You can argue all day whether 21 is "young and impressionable" but if placed in a situation several thousand miles from stability and safety, after being assaulted by multiple assailants you can understand whether reporting it is the obvious thing to do. I like to think we live in slightly more enlightened times these days, but this was very real event back in 2001 and the time it has taken for her to report it has no bearing on the facts of the case. We should all hope this type of behavior is consigned to the history books while ensuring those guilty of it are held fully accountable.
Although 2001 seems recent to most of us, a lot has happened around the perception of professional conduct and sexual harassment in those 17 years. It is likely that having been treated in such a manner, this individual had little or no faith in the "chain of command". Allegedly, she has been sexually assaulted and abused by a large group of male servicemen, some of who were in positions of responsibility, but yet participated or condoned in the assault. It is not difficult to imagine a young isolated female would not choose to report this to the very people who were responsible.
If nothing else, the whole sordid tale of Operation Yewtree demonstrated time after time that young impressionable people are easily intimidated by those in authority and will choose not report crimes until years later . You can argue all day whether 21 is "young and impressionable" but if placed in a situation several thousand miles from stability and safety, after being assaulted by multiple assailants you can understand whether reporting it is the obvious thing to do. I like to think we live in slightly more enlightened times these days, but this was very real event back in 2001 and the time it has taken for her to report it has no bearing on the facts of the case. We should all hope this type of behavior is consigned to the history books while ensuring those guilty of it are held fully accountable.
OK, here are the facts. I was the CO from 1999 to 2002.
Regarding this young ladies account: those pictures seem genuine enough and are not good. That activity was not condoned and had I, or any other Officer, been aware of it it would have been stopped immediately. Those responsible would have been dealt with accordingly.
However, no complaint was ever made either at the time or in the months/years afterwards by this female (or anyone else on the site, including dozens of visitors). Everyone was interviewed when they left 303SU and we always encouraged honest feedback in order to make things better for those who came next. .
Regarding this young ladies account: those pictures seem genuine enough and are not good. That activity was not condoned and had I, or any other Officer, been aware of it it would have been stopped immediately. Those responsible would have been dealt with accordingly.
However, no complaint was ever made either at the time or in the months/years afterwards by this female (or anyone else on the site, including dozens of visitors). Everyone was interviewed when they left 303SU and we always encouraged honest feedback in order to make things better for those who came next. .
The culture in the military at that time was not conducive at all to anybody giving negative feedback about drunken parties that got out of hand - you would just get labelled as not being a team player by your superiors if you complained.
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TS, around 95 I had to try a charge against one of my airwomen for having a man in her room. She committed no greater sin than giving him a coffee to help sober up before he went home. The RAF Police didn't hesitate to charge them.
In this case, she appears fully dressed which overall appears odd. Maybe she only felt assaulted in retrospect. Nothing against that of course but it could explain why there was no complaint at the time.
In retrospect many of us will believed we were wronged in the past or hadn't complained as it was not the done thing. When I did completely as a civil servant I was assured that my complaint was groundless . I am pleased to say the individual I complained of moderated his behaviour.
In this case, she appears fully dressed which overall appears odd. Maybe she only felt assaulted in retrospect. Nothing against that of course but it could explain why there was no complaint at the time.
In retrospect many of us will believed we were wronged in the past or hadn't complained as it was not the done thing. When I did completely as a civil servant I was assured that my complaint was groundless . I am pleased to say the individual I complained of moderated his behaviour.