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.


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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.

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

RIP to all.

Especially Gary, definitely not forgotten.

Talk about you often Paddy. Not forgotten.

Ivor

airsound

Thinking of them today and talk about them often. Toasting the honour that I laughed and drank with most of them.

Seems like yesterday,

R.I.P Gary Nick , Great bloke, great friend.

Definitely 'Man A'

Man B

Some quiet reflection on past events took place in the office today, XV179 always remembered.

Tbh it's strange being there these days, so quiet. Silly I know, but it sometimes seems like there's a ghost about when they fire up the test rig on D site.

RIP guys. You all will always be remembered. I often think of you Gary, one of the finest blokes I ever met.

Remembering with fondness Gary and Gibbo

RIP to all, and thoughts to their friends and families

I met Steady when I was holding on 47 Sqn, had a good freebie trip to Cyprus with him, my first proper RAF hit out overseas, drinking a toast tonight to you and the others Steady

I had the Honour of flying with both Gary Nick and Gibbo, many times. I have not the words to describe the sadness I feel at the loss of such great mates. Always in my memory as are all of the crew on days like this.

It's bloody sad to remember "good mates" in this way. Like many, I have great memories of serving with some of these guys. I bow my head and hope that their brave efforts will not die with them, non omnis moriar.

I had the pleasure of meeting and working/training with both David and Richie and will raise a glass to them and the rest of the crew at the weekend

Some of the nicest people I had the pleasure to work with and so many great memories.

Smuj,
I was first introduced to Gary with your good self at St Mawgan when you injured yourself and you were replaced by Pete E

I was scarred for life so thought I would have a go at the old GE lark.

Never Forgotten..

Say not, the struggle nought availeth,
The labour and the wounds are vain,
The enemy faints not, nor faileth,
And as things have been they remain.

If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;
It may be, in yon smoke concealed,
Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,
And, but for you, possess the field.

For while the tired waves, vainly breaking,
Seem here no painful inch to gain,
Far back, through creeks and inlets making,
Comes silent, flooding in, the main.

And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light,
In front, the sun climbs slow, how slowly,
But westward, look, the land is bright.

By ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH

God Bless the lads

Time has not diminished how much I miss these guys.

'Puff The Magic Dragon' was on the radio earlier this week - for those that know.

Rest In Peace guys, thinking of your friends and families

xv 179
 

Gone but never forgotten,was on the line when news came,at piano burning ceremony,very emotional night back then many a hangover and tears that night.Forever etched in my memory.Greatly missed by all.

Definitely not forgotten, and the lump in the throat today is as big as the day the news came in.

Horrid.

Hope ATC up there are treating you well, and the techie pies as tasty as ever.

RIP lads...never forgotten

RIP Paddy, not forgotten