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 :(

Was at the National Arboretum the last week.

http://www.rafmams.co.uk/NA.jpg

RIP, lads. You made a difference and you are missed.

I'll raise a glass to them this evening. RIP chaps.

Paddy, RIP mate. I'll raise a glass tonight.

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.

Rest in Peace, Paddy.

Ivor

Andy, I'll always stop by whenever I'm up north. RIP.

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 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.

To FLTLT Pards Pardoel

I never knew you, but you were mentioned today by one of your ex-colleagues during our refresher CRM. Maybe gone, but certainly not forgotten.

Y_G

RIP to them all. Esp colleagues Pards and Paddy.

Never forgotten. RIP boys.

Now 8 years on
 

In my cups freshly remembered today.
RIP Friends,
Brian

Remembered here too. So hard to believe that in some ways 8 years has flown past, yet this still stings like yestrday.

God bless boys.

Never forgotten. R.I.P. gentlemen and friends

RIP Dave.


Posted from Pprune.org App for Android

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.

Always remembered...I raise my glass in their honor.