MERTs and Wokkas in Afghan
Channel 4 News broadcast a report yesterday by the excellent team of reporter Alex Thomson and cameraman Stuart Webb on the work of the MERTs.
If you're as higgerant as I am and didn't know what MERT stands for - it's Medical Emergency Response Team. The piece is mysteriously called 'Miliband Backs Troops in Afghanistan', and you need to click on Watch the report http://www.channel4.com/news/article...nistan/1507947 I found it takes a while to download, and it'll cut short and return you to the start if it's not fully downloaded - but it's worth waiting for. airsound |
Blimey.:ooh:
:ok::ok::ok::ok::ok: to all concerned. Thoughts are with the guy who didn't make it. |
A top report about some very professional guys/gals, who will be kept busy for a long time yet, I fear.
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Along with advances in technology (ie smaller & better cameras etc) has come some advances in camera men and women. Stuart Webb, :ok:
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Radios in a Chinook
Came across this clip by chance last night - excellent stuff. One thing struck me though - the reporter claimed that the medics were reduced to communicating with each other in flight by means of shouting and hand signals 'because they hadn't been issued radios'. Q: would they have been permitted to use radios in the back of the Chinook? Or did he mean the in-cabin R/T?
(or was he just trying to make a political point?) |
You can quite safely use personal radios in the back, as many troops do. You will notice that some of the team are wearing flying helmets so could plug into the intercom system. The problem comes with tangled up leads and live mics so most times (certainly on the Merlin) the IRT Docs and medics need to work 'unattached'. They also need both hands free so often shouting is the simplest and easiest way to operate.:)
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Hats off though to the girls and boys for doing such good work.:ok:
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Airsound
Awesome report, thanks for posting:ok: |
A brilliant brilliant job being done there by the MERT's. I didn't know about them. I do now!! And how.
From a PPRuNe point of view, and subsequently, all our readers, Mil et al. It is fantastic that we get threads like this. Otherwise how would we really be aware. We are thinking about you in harms way out there guys and gals. Really, we are. :D:D:D:ok: Edit: In Iraq too, of course. :O:ok: Keep safe. PPP |
I agree. Like most on here I dare say, I don't watch Ch4 news so would have missed it but for this thread. Have cascaded it as essential viewing to all in my unit.
Also, next time those on here have cause to attack journos as all being scum, spare a thought for well balanced, informative pieces like this (and those from Alistair Leathhead on BBC). |
Regie, I fear you may be right when you say that most PPRuNers don't watch Channel 4 News. For what it's worth, I believe the 1900 edition of C4N is easily the best tv news of the day. Amongst other things military and aviation-related, it has doggedly pursued the Chinook/Mull story when others gave up long ago.
I also agree that Alastair Leithead is doing excellent front-line work for the Beeb. Anyway, thanks for the compliment to (some of) the scum - I'm sure it's appreciated. airsound PS Thanks to all other posters as well! |
Just to add some info that probably isn't common knowledge...
During the day and night we get airborne in the Wokka well below what our mandate is. A slick start by just one pilot and one crewman whilst the other two are getting the details means that we regularly do it well below the maximum time we given. Some of you may wonder why we aren't manning the aircraft 24/7 in these circumstances, well it takes a finite amount of time to get the info of where and if the Medevac needs to take place, in that time the aircraft is spun and ready to go. We of course couldn't do this without the support of the engineers who do their utmost in making sure we get away without any troubles. The MERTS, aircrew, engineers and the force protection guys that we carry with us are all responsible in the incredible number of injured personnel that make it when statistics say they shouldn't have done. It's no mean feat believe me for it all to come together in such a slick operation :D:D:D Edited to save embarrassment! :oh: |
Not withstanding, the Channel 4 article is great PR and shows what many don't see goes on behind the scenes.:D
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It's no mean feat believe me for it all to come together in such a slick operation Our prayers are with you in both theaters. PPP |
With all due respect PP, there is probably a good reason for that. This is not a criticism or any other type of petty argument as we do the same thing in the other theatre but some info should remain where it is. |
PP has not said anything wrong, and I doubt very much that the Taliban are rubbing their hands with glee infact they wouldn't even notice the info if people did not (incorrectly) say it is valuable int.
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Sarcasm this is Tigs, Tigs this is sarcasm
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MGD - Don't try and get ahead, just keep up. The info referred to has been removed.
Anyway, I thought it was only you that did all the policing. At least thats what you tell us on an almost daily basis. http://forums.airshows.co.uk/iB_html...cons/loser.gif Tigs2 - similar information has been used before and sadly very effectively. |
Wizard - Are you still standing up, with trumpets and drums, or have you actually started doing anything yet. Thought so!
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MGD
You are correct sir, it is! I happily award myself 'tool of the day award':} |
Don't be too harsh on yourself Tigs, as I will share the award. As Wizard pointed out, by not having followed the thread all evening, I didn't notice that PP had actually removed the 'sensitive' information.
I look forward to 78 Sqn arriving in theatre and showing us where we have been going wrong all this time. |
We have an OCF not an OCU. As far as I am aware, they don't. I'm not on the OCF. Any more pearls of wisdom?
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Merlin
MGD,
Please try to keep up. Merlin has been operational some years now and working very hard in Iraq. Your force has done incredibly well, and everyone acknowledges that, but that doesn't mean that other forces are less professional or worthwhile. |
Channel 4
As media luvvies we were particularly pleased with the MERT piece as it shows the gritty reality of the conflict. Thanks to the guys and girls who allowed the embed. Channel 4 have done some good pieces for us with the Bootnecks too, including reconstruction projects, and they are currently still in theatre with us. Next week we have 3 more groups of journos arriving and hopefully we can let the world know a bit more about life out here. (Less than 50 days to do!:bored:)
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You can quite safely use personal radios in the back, as many troops do. You will notice that some of the team are wearing flying helmets so could plug into the intercom system We have an OCF not an OCU. As far as I am aware, they don't |
You are absolutely correct TR hence the next sentence after the line you have quoted :)
You will notice that some of the team are wearing flying helmets so could plug into the intercom system. The problem comes with tangled up leads and live mics MGD, keep going, eventually the hole will be deep enough that you can't be heard. |
I wasn't referring to tangled up leads and stuff.
I meant the problem of too many people all trying to talk at once (so a bit like Main Building in that respect) |
Get aware then. Yes, they (the instructors) do. MGD, keep going, eventually the hole will be deep enough that you can't be heard |
Never said they didn't, but none have been out there any of the times I have been there Little blinkered isn't it? "I don't know about it so therefore the answer's no" |
If you don't like it...tough, but it is my opinion. Your not shy of sharing yours. Today 10:34 I think you win the 'opinion' title hands down:D:rolleyes: Anyway, back to the thread.... |
Surely you mean the "opinionated" title Wiz? :ok:
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If you are one of the small number that have deployed on behalf of the OCF, then you deserve the credit for breaking the mould. The majority, however, don't.
Some, and it is a small number I'll admit, or quite happy to live off a very stale experience of Ops, and pass it on as gospel. You (if your who I think you are, are not in that category) but many are. To get back to the point raised by AIDU, I am not on the OCF (nor would I want to be), and the OCF collectively, do not deploy as a matter of course. I personally have never seen a member of the OCF in theatre. But if you want to carry on splitting hairs.... |
You know guys, it is tradition that this forum is self moderating. Well that's the idea anyway. But sad to say that for the past two pages there has been a dig here, a poke there and silly attempts at oneupmanship. Time to call a halt guys and get back on topic.
Take a moment to think - before you submit a post, and also take a moment to wonder. Just what the guys and gals reading this think of you who have lowered the tone on their efforts. Do I have a point? I think I do. |
Thank you Pop, as you say back to the thread! Thanks to airsound for the heads up on the item, thanks to channel 4 for showing it, thanks to the crew for filming it and above all thanks to the MERTs. Low profile, dedicated, professional and doing an outstanding job, well done ladies and gents all! Oh, and a plug for the Wokkas, whether in this thread or Ross Kemp's or "Above Enemy Lines" always there, the means by which all the rest is done. :ok:
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Superb work by everyone involved. Did I not see the good Mr Padbury in "Above Enemy Lines"? He'll be after an Equity card next.
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I was just about to say the same thing. He was a Flying Officer in 'Above Enemy Lines' but has since been promoted. How often do the crews go out there, or would he have been promoted and is on the same tour?
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Indeed thanks to airsound (Sean?) for bringing everyone's attention to this. I did see the Channel 4 piece, I was very busy and only had it on in the background but stopped what I was doing and was spellbound.
As has been said, Channel 4 News is much the best evening news programme and has a long history of showing military stories in some detail and without the irritating and damaging BBC and ITV habit of reducing everything to "joe public" friendly soundbites. They have indeed pursued the Mull of Kintyre injustice, but I am surprised that no-one has yet mentioned that Alex Thomson created something of a legal precedent when he refused to be forced to reveal his (ex-Para) sources to the Bloody Sunday enquiry, taking it all the way to the high court and winning. Oh and Krishnan Guru-Murthy wanted to be a wokka pilot before be got into the media (honestly - I know him personally). Channel 4 News is a professional, detailed, insightful and (surpisingly given Jon Snow's famous left-leaning) military-friendly news programme. I commend it to everyone. And - of course - well done to all the MERT chaps and chapesses from the medics to the pilots to the gunners - you guys demonstrate the very finest of the British military spirit - low key, professional, EFFECTIVE. KP |
Pop
Thanks for your post. MGD since when has ANYBODY on an OCU, OCF or Sqn for that matter had any control over where and when they get posted or deployed?? I think if the powers that be told you on the quiet you were going to be looked over for your next trip to the sandpit you would not complain one iota. Non of the lads and lasses choose where they go, and if instructors are left on an OCF without recent deployment experience, then they have to do the best job they can to train the new guys with whatever experiences they have. Your post If you are one of the small number that have deployed on behalf of the OCF, then you deserve the credit for breaking the mould. The majority, however, don't.(WTF!!) Some, and it is a small number I'll admit, or quite happy to live off a very stale experience of Ops, and pass it on as gospel. You (if your who I think you are, are not in that category) but many are. To get back to the point raised by AIDU, I am not on the OCF (nor would I want to be), and the OCF collectively, do not deploy as a matter of course. I personally have never seen a member of the OCF in theatre. But if you want to carry on splitting hairs.... You've touched a nerve mate! (and no I was never on an OCU/OCF apart from as a stude). The difference between us is that despite banter, if you cut me through the middle you would find a roundel, in you ther would just be a squadron badge. |
Tigs,
I think you need to take a chill pill my old son. I don't want to go to the OCF, just as I don't want to change type or become a Flt Ops Officer. I don't want to pay more tax or have nails hammered into my feet. We all have things we don't want to do, even you. I just expressed mine in response to a post. Are some of the OCF out of date....YES. Are some of them doing a top notch job, day in day out....YES. And I stand very firmly by my post, despite your knee jerk morale outrage. As for your comments about not complaining if told I was not going to the sandpit, I find that a bit of an assumption and possibly a little reflective of your own mindset. I always deploy, and always will deploy. Partly because of quals, partly because I enjoy it (being away from Odius is no bad thing these days), but mostly because that is the job I joined to do. Well done on having a roundel. I think you'll find many of JHC have chucked theirs away having been cut adrift by the RAF. But if it keeps you happy, it's a good thing. Now, can we get back onto topic, or does anyone else want to have a pop? |
Back on topic, you can show your appreciation to Alex Thomson (and through him, to the camerman, Stuart Webb) by sending an email to him using [email protected]
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