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XV 179 - 10 Years Ago
10 years ago on the 30 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 . Gone but never forgotten |
Ten years. The station may have closed, the sqn's might have moved, but their memory remains.
Rest in peace boys. |
Rest in Peace all those lost with XV179, I was privileged to know Steady as an Air Cadet in Wharfedale.
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10 Years
I can only repeat what many others, more eloquent than I, have said; may they rest in peace. I had the honour and pleasure of serving with them in the early noughties, a fine bunch who gave me some fond memories of the Hercules.
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Hilton 22, how can it possibly be 10 years since I said my last goodbye to Gary, together with most of the Albert fleet? Together with many others, I shall hoist a cold one (or many) in remembrance tonight. Go careful, boys, you are not forgotten.
TTB |
Cheers lads, think about you everytime I use my 47 Sqn crystal goblet.
RIP |
Nice touch today at 13:30:D:D:D
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Was a really nice fly past. Dusty eyes time
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RIP Paddy & guys, raising a toast tonight to you all. Agree with previous comments, seems like yesterday, not 10 years ago.
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RAF Benevolent Fund tribute ...
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund - The words no Commander wants to hear Coff. |
I can remember chatting with Paddy at High Wycombe just a couple of days before - "keep your head down mate", I said. Then he was gone; another guy I went through Officer Training with.
A tragic event for so very many - RIP guys. LJ |
Spent a year at school with Paddy when we were nine/ten. Even then we had many long conversations planning our futures. He was always going light blue, and already had impressive knowledge of that service, I chose the darker shade. Our paths never crossed again but I have my memories. R.I.P Paddy and all on XV 179.
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another guy I went through Officer Training with. |
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Though never a Hercules man, can I bang the same drum as Coff for the RAF Benevolent Fund. After the 1991 Canberra T4 accident at Wyton, The RAFBF were brilliant, and the support from Bob Barcilon, the Director, Welfare, absolutely outstanding. Thank you
RIP the crew of XV179, and peace to their families. |
Nice touch today, great crew will always remember them
Flypast honour for Hercules victims, 10 years on (From Swindon Advertiser) |
We saw the J going about its business today in commemoration of some fondly remembered friends I had the privilege to serve, and share tasking with. Our thoughts should be with their surviving families at this time, and hope that as the years go by the pain of their loss eases. RIP lads, we will remember you.
Smudge |
Great memories of Gary and Gibbo will never be forgotten.
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RIP Steady and the guys, thoughts with those you left behind.
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RIP gentlemen. Per ardua ad astra.
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