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But surely the main point is having a large flight deck and multiple helicopters?
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The RFA's carry a large amount of equipment, but the most important cargo any nation could take out there is .... Expertise\manpower.
The Royal Marines will obviously help in reconstruction but in my experience they will also take over the role of security and helping to maintain law and order. Lusty has embarked military personnel to help and these folks have a great wealth of expertise regarding all things mechanical but I will tactfully point out that jolly jack trains for these exact situations. I have absolutely no idea what type of training other services offer before their units forward deploy. It is possible that Illustrious might relieve the destroyer as sadly one ship can only be in one place and does the Navy have the luxury of fulfilling all their commitments whilst that ship is not where it should be? We talk about where an RFA is best suited but the very sad reality is that these amazing ships and their civilian crews are already carry out roles that historically have been the domain of a warship! I am thinking of the anti-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia and the West Indies Guard ship. These are commitments for warships and not one for an RFA even though they embark a number of sailors and Royal Marines. Can I suggest the Royal Navy has not just been slimmed down to the bone... and this skeleton might now be having bones removed!! No good saying enough is enough as it looks like our government is determined to inflict even more cutbacks. Hopefully the RAF will ensure the aid they take out, will get to those most deserving?? Three cheers for all our personnel involved in helping out with this disaster and apologies for the rant :) Oh and I heard the commanding officer of Illustrious talk about using seven helicopters?? She would usually carry Sea King Mk4, Merlin HM1 and Lynx Mk7 |
Originally Posted by glojo
(Post 8168715)
Three cheers for all our personnel involved in helping out with this disaster |
I fear this thread is becoming a 'Promote the Navy' piece of propaganda and that is definitely NOT the case. If the other services were doing this, I would like to think we would treat this issue with the exact same degree of pride?
I was not going to post anymore information regarding this incident but when we hear news of sometrhing like 'miner being found after days spent trapped underground!' I feel we just need to share that type of news? Royal Navy sailors have reached starving, homeless villagers still untouched by aid efforts two weeks after a "super" typhoon tore through the Philippines. Sailors aboard HMS Daring found desperate people living without fresh water under rubbish heaps and sheltering in caves. Manilla's confirmed death toll for Typhoon Haiyan on Saturday rose to 5,235, with another 1,613 people still missing after the storm flattened whole towns across a stretch of islands. Haiyan now rivals a 1976 tsunami as the deadliest recorded natural disaster to befall the nation. Crew from the Portsmouth-based destroyer had to wade ashore onto remote islands off Panay to deliver nearly a tonne of drinking water and shelter kits. On Calagnaan they found one village untouched by relief efforts where the inhabitants were starving because winds nearing 150mph had destroyed all their crops and fishing boats. Lt Cdr Telio ******-***** said: "These people survived the typhoon by hiding in a cave further up the hill. "When we landed, which was particularly hazardous as there was an extensive area of coral so we had to wade ashore, a woman came running up to me crying and pulling on my sleeves. http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/...g_2743947c.jpg "She was saying they hadn't eaten for two days and they had run out of all their supplies." Lt Cdr Steven *** said residents on several islands had been living in terrible conditions. He said: "People on Tulunanaun island for example have been living underneath piles of rubbish to try and escape the elements so there were particularly in need of shelter." http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/...n_2743940b.jpg Aid has also been ferried ashore by HMS Daring's Lynx helicopter. The destroyer will early this week be relieved by HMS Illustrious, which is en route from Singapore carrying 500 tonnes of supplies and seven helicopters. Justine ********, the International Development Secretary, has been travelling with HMS Daring for part of its trip. "The whole crew have done an amazing job, they have been taking essential supplies, repairing schools, and transporting medical equipment. "A week ago 800,000 people were receiving food aid: that number has now reached three million – and that is thanks to efforts of teams like the Navy who are reaching remote, outlying communities." As has been stated in this post Daring is being relieved by the Illustrious and will probably leave the area. |
Tom Joad - My wife of 27 years is a Filipina,we keep homes in Scotland and the Philippines and maintain a close connection with the country. My wife decided to try to raise funds for the victims of the typhoon and as you say the response has been incredible. The people of Fife have given more than generously. we planned on raising a few hundred but we estimate we will raise over a thousand in a matter of days. This is just a one woman effort - not a massive effort in the grand scheme of things but every little will help (as long as it does not get into the hands of the thieving Filipino politicians). It proves again the humanity of the British people.
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Agree.
Yes agree there Glojo I actually felt pride looking at those photos.
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Originally Posted by glojo
(Post 8170077)
I fear this thread is becoming a 'Promote the Navy' piece of propaganda
Glojo, I don't see it that way in any manner whatsoever. I doubt any right thinking person would either. HM Forces of whatever branch belong to us and we have every right to feel proud and support what is being done in our name and with our funding in the Philippines. Please keep the updates coming, the Navy lads and lasses are doing excellent work and making a real difference to peoples lives.:D:D:D:D |
Lusty has arrived in the Philippines; video features her helos.Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development, was briefed on board HMS Daring at sea on 23 Nov.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/1...22e9b240_n.jpg The operation is called PATWIN: |
Does DFID need some Recognition lessons?
This DFID-produced graphic (click to enlarge) summarises UK aid to date but it's rather unfortunate that the Royal Navy ships are symbolised by a Russian Kuznetsov class carrier and a Steregushchy class corvette:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/1...457754b5_n.jpg |
They could have used better graphics for the C-17 as well.
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Embarrassing
I see that FODPlod, bit embarrassing for a Govt. web site. Can not one of you spooks that monitor this website have a quiet word.....?
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Another C17 load
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One up to the RAF
Here we go and hopefully I have removed all surnames
Originally Posted by gov.uk
An RAF C-130 Hercules crew delivering aid in the Philippines have helped save 2 helicopter pilots who crashed into the sea off Manila.
Having already completed 2 humanitarian aid flights on Sunday, the Hercules crew from RAF Brize Norton were on their approach to Manila Airport to collect more aid equipment when they heard a Mayday distress call from the civilian pilots. The RAF C-130 Hercules captain, Flight Lieutenant Jamie ****, immediately broke off his landing and went to search for the helicopter in distress. The aircraft’s other pilot, Flight Lieutenant Tom ******, said: It was an instinctive response. When we heard that Mayday we knew we had to do something. The downed helicopter had reportedly crashed into Manila Bay waters off Bulacan after delivering humanitarian relief goods to Typhoon Haiyan survivors in the Visayas. Its pilots were able to give the RAF Hercules their last known position over the radio, and the C-130 crew headed to that location to begin their search.Almost as soon as the Hercules reached the crash site, an excited voice on the radio said ‘we can see you’, and the helicopter aircrew directed the search aircraft until the RAF crew spotted the life vests of the 2 helicopter crew members. https://assets.digital.cabinet-offic...455_2500px.jpg The crew of the RAF C-130 Hercules pose by their aircraft in the Philippines The RAF Hercules took on scene command of the rescue efforts, marking the location and flying above the crash scene. Flight Lieutenant ****** then requested further assistance from Manila air traffic control and the Philippine Coast Guard, whilst reassuring his fellow pilots. Eventually, a United States Marine Corps (USMC) C-130 Hercules arrived on the scene to assist and was able to drop a life raft for the downed pilots to scramble into. Flight Lieutenant ****** could hear over the radio that the aircrew were okay. The RAF C-130 Hercules, call sign ‘PAGASA 47’, which means ‘there is still hope’ in Filipino, remained above the life raft until it spotted a fishing vessel heading towards the 2 survivors. The crew then handed over control to the USMC aircraft and continued to Manila on their humanitarian mission. Flight Lieutenant **** said: Stuff like this doesn’t happen every day. It is fantastic that we were able to help our fellow pilots at the same time as helping the people of the Philippines. In addition to the C-130, an RAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft and the Royal Navy’s HMS Illustrious are in the Philippines providing aid to the typhoon-hit islands. |
Best use of sunglasses in low ambient light since the 'target-rich environment'. In fact, the resemblance to Val Kilmer is uncanny...
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Go Army
It is so nice to be able to give praise to all three services and now we have the Army joining in
Originally Posted by gov.uk
Army helicopters arrive in the Philippines
A detachment of Army Lynx helicopters has arrived in the Philippines as part of the international disaster relief effort. https://assets.digital.cabinet-offic...A130302077.jpg Army Lynx helicopters on HMS Illustrious's flight deck as a Royal Navy Merlin hovers off the ship's port side 659 Squadron of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC) is embarked on the Royal Navy amphibious helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious. ‘Lusty’, as the ship is known, yesterday officially took over from HMS Daring, which is now en route to Tokyo to continue with her regional engagement programme. The Army’s 3 Lynx helicopters on board HMS Illustrious will be essential in assessing the scale of damage and determining where aid needs to be targeted, as well as being able to lift supplies, materiel and medical teams to remote areas which have not yet received assistance. 659 Squadron were redeployed from counter-piracy operations around the Horn of Africa to render aid in the Philippines. They arrived today after a high speed dash of almost 6,000 miles across the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. The squadron is based in North Yorkshire, normally supporting land-based operations as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. The detachment embarked aboard HMS Illustrious comprises 49 men and women and are a mix of AAC personnel and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. https://assets.digital.cabinet-offic...A130302090.jpg An Army Air Corps Lynx helicopter from 659 Squadron operating from HMS Illustrious Officer Commanding 659 Squadron, Major Hannah *******, said: We have worked hard to make sure that all of our aircraft are ready for what we expect to be a very busy time ahead. We have a tremendous amount to offer the aid effort. The UK’s military support in the Philippines also includes 2 RAF aircraft, a C-130 Hercules and a C-17, which are helping distribute aid to the typhoon-hit islands.In particular, we can survey large areas and get to remote islands and places inland that others simply cannot get to at the moment. Helicopters will be the only way to deliver essential aid until roads and other infrastructure has been repaired. Only one of my team had operated from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier at sea, so there have been many firsts over the last 4 months. The crew of HMS Illustrious have been very supportive to us in finding our feet and honing our procedures. I think we are just about to prove exactly how much we can do together. |
It is so nice to be able to give praise to all three services and now we have the Army joining in
As in "Fly Navy, Sail Army, and Eat Crab"?:E - and before anyone thin-skinned individuals take umbrage, make sure you have read my earlier posts on this thread - been there, done that etc ....:= A big Bravo Zulu to all concerned!:ok: Jack |
Wow, feeling the love Union Jack, feeling the love:rolleyes:
Well done and God speed (whatever service) to all involved. |
CEBU Pacific
Has anyone heard whether CEBU Pacific's operations were impacted? I am thinking about taking a job with them. They are starting to hire foreign pilots again.
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C130 Det EndEX
It's over for the C130 guy's, well done all. Must have been lots of hard but worth while work out there..
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/r...ilippines-role |
For a trio of busy, shrinking forces, our Navy, Army and RAF folks should be so proud of what they have done and are doing. It's times like this when I really miss being "in". I would so love to go and be involved.
Glojo, your earlier post about the RN was spot on. The RN do a lot of prep for this kind of stuff so that they are ready and properly trained to assist should need arise during a cruise. And BZ for that. I suspect that our forces may be called upon to do of this in the coming years. Fantastic job, one and all. :ok::D |
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