RAF CompA ??
 

I was explaining to a friend how well the ‘system’ can work if a servicemen with a relative at death’s door needs to be returned to UK. Is it Comp(assionate) A?

I remember reading of some classics here a while back, but I didn’t have an example to offer. Anyone?

Yes 3 scales Comp A, B or C

Comp A - relative (parent, wife or child) not expected to live or death of wife or child.
Comp B - relative (parent) has died - returning for the funeral / help with affairs / support
Comp C - basically a priority indulgengee - death of grand parent

The Admin world have a table listing most cases and what category the person falls into. Army and RAF follow this but RN are (were) a law unto themselves on this as the ship's Capt could authorise the category.

For a Comp A, no expense is normally spared ie diverting aircraft, helicopter at destination airport for onward travel.

I have seen a Herc taxy into the bay next to a waiting Puma to onmove the Comp A. Another time, a 125 from 32(R) laid on to pick up a wife who was a Comp A, from Gib and fly to Glasgow - that saved 3 hours on the schedule GB / BA flights. In the good old days of Brit Rail, trains could ask Swindon to hold a train for a Comp B who would have missed it otherwise.

It is an excellent system as long as the Comp route is followed. Normally it went wrong when the Admin unit tried to short cut the system. In one case, again in GIb, the RN ship made someone a Comp A without telling anyone in the welfare organisations. It was left to the Regulators to arrange his flight back. There were no seats from Gib for a couple of days so he was left dangling. This depsite having a Movs unit in GIb. Once we heard about the case, a quick phone call to confirm and he was on the next flight from Malaga. Something the Regs didn't know was an option.

In the very early 1980s a naval chappie needed to get from his ship ( off NE Scotland) to home (Portsmouth). Comp A status.

Naval helo to Lossie, 2-seat Hunter to Southampton, fast car to home. About 3 hours end-to-end.

It worked for me
 

I was in Naples in 1985 and required to get back ASAP. Same day afternoon flight to LGW, S61 to Heathrow, hold up with the shuttle to Aberdeeen re-routed to Glasgow, tarmac transfer to 748 up to Aberdeen, met by a taxi driver who said "I'm with you until you say 'stop' ". I was met and guided every step of the way and didn't have to think at all. Thanks to the organisation I made it back to my mother's bedside before she died. I'll always be in their debt.
The Ancient Mariner

Been involved in a fair few Comps out of MPA over the years. The system works very well with all the stops being pulled to get things moving.

The biggest hitch was usually the Brazilian Immigration at either Sao Paulo or Rio. That and the MPA weather.

Was turfed out of bed at oh my god o clock at Bastion to take a comp A to KAF. 160 Kts and a quickstop to the back of a C17 (held) and the guy was on his way home. I'd be happy to do it anytime. There but by the grace of god.....

Worked for my family too.

We went on holiday and came back to find insty snr had been admitted to hospital with advanced & terminal stomach cancer.

I made one phone call to Innsworth and 15 hours later my brother had been brought back from Saudi and was at dad's bedside. Dad died a few hours later.

Both of us are ever grateful for the efforts of everyone involved in getting him back in time. I know dad was too.

He was flown back civvy as it was the first flight out. The driver supposed to pick him up was stuck in traffic so he phoned another station nearer the airport who sent out a driver who went and got him, he was met "airside" IIRC and driven straight up here, no need for him to do anything at all.

Once again a very public thanks to all involved in making an awful time just a bit easier.

So in my experience a brilliant system that should never be interfered with.

I had a couple of lads needing to go back from the 'Deid when I was out there; in both cases they were on civaur flts within a matter of hours, with MT ready to pick them up on arrival and deliver them to where they needed to be.

I know of a Crewman whose wife was in labour at Hull with him at RAF Gutersloh when he got the call: He made it in time for the birth: just!

.....and an individual (Groundcrew) put in the back of a Jaguar (aeroplane) as the destination was not public transport friendly but had a convenient airfield nearby.

It is one of the few things we still do right, and lets hope that it stays that way, for as has been mentioned already....It could soon be our turn.

Brilliant system, does exactly what it says on tin and should IMHO never, ever be changed.....

Deepest Bosnia, 1994 when given the news (mother, hours to go, 2 days at the most) just before OC's evening prayers... pushed straight into the back of a landy and off to the nearest airport at Sarajevo to find a french Herc waiting, next stop Split. Met by the QM and 'De-bombed' on the pan, then straight onto the waiting R&R flight (thanks to the 'volunteer' who gave up the seat :ok: hope you made the next flight and passed the course) next stop BZN to be met by the CO's driver with the words I'm your driver, where to... collected wife and rug-rat on way past tidders, made it to the Hospital in Devon in time for tea.

Mother, bless, hung on for another week and I will be forever gratefull for all who made that extra effort. Thanks.

Excellent system, speaking as someone who was flown back to the UK recently as a Comp A to be with my Mother before she sadly passed away. I was given the option of an immediate flight to Heathrow, shuttle to Glasgow and a Helo trip from Glasgow to Perth. Opted for a flight into Edinburgh and a fast drive after that. Can't thank everyone involved enough.

I was cateogorised comp C atlhough it would seem I should have been Comp B. It was onlythanks to my bank manager that I was cated at all.

As it happened a Comp A was going the same way so I was looked after to Manchester. I can't remember the short onward journey but I think some rules were bent.

My RTU was fun though. I had to hire a car, take maiden aunt to Berwick, drop car at Newcastle, train to Swindon via London and made the checkin with an hour or so to spare - ac u/s delayed 24hrs!

The next bit though was my unit had detached to Masirah. Landed at Akrotiri, shot out of movements, changed, packed KD & flying kit and continued to rejoin my unit.

Remember the Comp does include a return ticket.

Remember a couple from MPA in the 90's.

1) One of the boys on South Georgia needed to get back to UK asap. HMS ?? (poor memory) despatched at full pelt towards Gritvyken until in helo range for a pick up. Turn round and head back to MPA to offload matey when in range. C130 (engines turning) takes to Rio and then BA to LHR. Never heard after that but hope you made it in time.

2) Young WRAF COMP A in wee small hours but airfield weather clagged in. 200M Fog. C130 needed 400m IIRC. I hear metman managed to find that 400m and off she went too. She DID make it in time.

serpent

The cats at the top of the page are slightly out of date. Comp B doesn't have to be someone died. Just someone who is VSI potentially.

JCCC
 

The system is at risk. The MoD is currently considering a proposal from the management of the Service Personnel & Veterans Agency to relocate the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), who oversee the Comp system, from Innsworth to Gosport by the end of the year. This despite the fact the Army, who are taking over Innsworth are happy for the SPVA to remain. The liklyhood is most of the experienced civilian & ex military staff (who work 24/7) will leave resulting in a loss of knowledge and reduction in the service offered.

Seeing as the SPVA have introduced and manage JPA, I am sure we all have faith in their decisions and judgement! Only they could believe that at a time of heavy operational commitments it makes sense to move the JCCC.

So let me get this straight - they are proposing that the JCCC be managed by JPA?

Dear god, we're screwed.

I can see it now:

Bloggs: "I need to get home ASAP, my parents are dying"

JPAC: "I'm sorry, but according to the system you were created in a lab 12 weeks ago - therefore you have no parents"

Bloggs: "So what do I do now?"

JPAC: "Your case no is 123xyz - we'll get back to you within 10 days"

Bloggs: "*£$%"

Topsy, you're right, a move would be a complete ocean-going disaster. It takes training and considerable experience to provide the service that JCCC does now, not just with the compassionate cases but also with the more complex and demanding casualty ones, which often require JCCC's action for a protracted time. I cannot speak too highly of the dedication and sheer professionalism of the staff there, who frequently put in time and effort above and beyond. The majority wouldn't move - their homes and families are local to Innsworth. Worth their weight in diamonds, every one.

Hope some of the gold braid brigade realise the potential for disaster - what's the point in moving it to Gosport anyway?

Wow! I'm rather pleased I started this thread. I'm long past needing JCCC - but to disturb it would be criminal. Perhaps a Tri-Service petition needs putting together. But a proper job, not the half-arsed Downing Street web stuff. What's Michael Jackson doing these days? He's the boy to stop this.:ok:

OK. So someone is considering taking a tried and tested system that is run by dedicated professionals, that provides an excellent service to those who need it (the customers) and breaking it up by moving it elsewhere.

I wouldn't thought that the process of 'considering' this proposal would take long.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Just two good reasons why JCCC should not be re-jigged.

This can mean commandeering or redirecting aircraft - even Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have had to make other transport arrangements when their aircraft was used for a category A case.

http://www.veterans-uk.info/pdfs/pub...ts_world_6.pdf