MERT Chinooks
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MERT Chinooks
Thought it might be worthwhile copying this here.
Did you fly on the MERT Chinooks in Afghanistan? We’re looking for the force protection blokes in particular: riflemen, signallers, EOD etc… as you’re proving hard to track down.
MERT was a temporary collection of people from all 3 services but not under one regiment or squadron. As such a lot of the blokes who did the role went back to their parent unit after and never got the support they needed or deserved.
We set up the MERT Club a couple of years ago to preserve the legacy and support the people who did the job.
The MERT Club is open to any person who flew on MERT Chinooks in Afghanistan, including aircrew, medical team or force protection. We’re well funded and put on regular events/expeds/socials, but we are lacking the exposure for the force protection lads.
From what we’ve seen so far, a common response is that they feel they “didn’t do much” or “didn’t do it many times” etc. The club does not see it that way and intends to make sure everyone who did the job has the chance to join.
For those who are blocked by joining because of financial reasons (we have a small membership subscription to raise funds to support each other alongside our external donations) then just give us the nod and we can sort it out. A lot of our members pay double every year so they can cover someone else’s subs.
This year we’ve already ran a Sailing exped, surf school, formal dinner at RAF Cosford and marched at the Cenotaph for Remembrance. We’re also running a charity dinner in the centre of Edinburgh at Christmas. Next year we’re going to try and do even more.
Aside from this we have had had some success as a professional network getting people into good job opportunities and supporting members who need it directly.
If we’ve convinced you to come join then email: [email protected]
You can also find our facebook touch point here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themertclub/
Or get in touch on our website mertclub.co.uk
MERT was a temporary collection of people from all 3 services but not under one regiment or squadron. As such a lot of the blokes who did the role went back to their parent unit after and never got the support they needed or deserved.
We set up the MERT Club a couple of years ago to preserve the legacy and support the people who did the job.
The MERT Club is open to any person who flew on MERT Chinooks in Afghanistan, including aircrew, medical team or force protection. We’re well funded and put on regular events/expeds/socials, but we are lacking the exposure for the force protection lads.
From what we’ve seen so far, a common response is that they feel they “didn’t do much” or “didn’t do it many times” etc. The club does not see it that way and intends to make sure everyone who did the job has the chance to join.
For those who are blocked by joining because of financial reasons (we have a small membership subscription to raise funds to support each other alongside our external donations) then just give us the nod and we can sort it out. A lot of our members pay double every year so they can cover someone else’s subs.
This year we’ve already ran a Sailing exped, surf school, formal dinner at RAF Cosford and marched at the Cenotaph for Remembrance. We’re also running a charity dinner in the centre of Edinburgh at Christmas. Next year we’re going to try and do even more.
Aside from this we have had had some success as a professional network getting people into good job opportunities and supporting members who need it directly.
If we’ve convinced you to come join then email: [email protected]
You can also find our facebook touch point here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themertclub/
Or get in touch on our website mertclub.co.uk
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Good call, ORAC. Well done.
As clear a condemnation of military leadership as any I can think of. It seems that has been outsourced along with everything else!
As such a lot of the blokes who did the role went back to their parent unit after and never got the support they needed or deserved.
The problem with being detached as an individual augmentee is that you don't have the shared experiences with your peers when you go back at the end of the tour. It's far harder than deploying with a formed unit. The MERT club sounds like an excellent support network and will hopefully sweep up those who were on the teams so they can share and identify with others who have similar experinces.
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Hi
Good to see support is still around.
I know a few who were involved but can I assume this is not just those on the chinook?
I know some MERT from Junglies and the small amount of Merlin crews involved.
Respect to all who were part of these unsung teams.
I’ll certainly pass on the info.
Fireaxe
Good to see support is still around.
I know a few who were involved but can I assume this is not just those on the chinook?
I know some MERT from Junglies and the small amount of Merlin crews involved.
Respect to all who were part of these unsung teams.
I’ll certainly pass on the info.
Fireaxe
Not my part of the business even before I retired, but what the Chinook folk (and others) did was quite exemplary. The number of DFCs given to Chinook folk speaks volumes. So I am really pleased to see a MERT fraternity/sorority evolving and I sincerely hope that you all do well and encourage everyone involved, including those who did the business but didn't reap any rewards, to gain some benefit from their quite heroic efforts saving others who paid some serious price for doing what they did.
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