Britain going ahead with sale of C-130 fleet
The Royal Air Force’s C-130J Hercules capability is planned to be withdrawn from service on 30 June 2023.

The C-130J Hercules is a military transport aircraft that has been used for various purposes, such as transporting troops, cargo, and equipment, as well as supporting humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.

Alex Chalk, Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, stated: “The Royal Air Force’s C-130J Hercules capability is planned to be withdrawn from service on 30 June 2023. Appropriate disposal activities have already begun in support of the potential sale of the airframes, flight simulators, support equipment, and the remaining specialised C130J spares inventory.”

In preparation for the withdrawal of the C-130J Hercules from service, the RAF has started taking necessary measures to facilitate the potential sale of the aircraft and associated assets. These measures, referred to above as “appropriate disposal activities,” involve the process of decommissioning the aircraft and organising the relevant resources for sale.

The resources mentioned include:

Airframes: The main body and structure of the C-130J Hercules aircraft, which could be sold to other countries or organisations interested in acquiring these aircraft for their own use.

Flight simulators: Training devices that replicate the experience of piloting the C-130J Hercules, allowing pilots to practice and develop their skills in a safe and controlled environment.

Support equipment: Various tools and machinery needed for the maintenance, repair, and operation of the C-130J Hercules aircraft.

Specialised C130J spares inventory: Spare parts specifically designed for the C-130J Hercules aircraft, which could be used for maintenance and repairs by potential buyers.

The RAF is taking a proactive approach to ensure a smooth transition as the C-130J Hercules aircraft are retired from service, while also potentially generating revenue from the sale of the aircraft and associated resources.

UK Defence Journal

From: Mark Stephenson, Dieppe, NB  
Subject: Re: UKMAMS OBA OBB #022328

Tony,

Excellent edition of the Brief! I will be responding to Chris Goss's revelation. It is true, I did leave the imprest at the hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota, but I recovered it by taking the next Herc to leave Ellsworth AFB! It was my very first team task on UKMAMS.

Cheers!

Mark
From: Joseph Gillis, Grand Mira South, NS 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Tony,

Douglas Badar - I read his book, Reach for the Sky and was enamoured with his tales - what a national hero indeed.  He was giving a dinner speech in Edmonton in the mid 80s I believe and unfortunately I couldn’t make it to his gala that evening. He was certainly THE guest of honour.  What a leader! 

Cheers,

Joe
From: Richard Lloyd, Dunfermline, Fife 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

I was a Mover at Khormaksar in 1967 and then at Northolt 1968 to 1970, and had encounters with four sorts of VIPs in those years: Royalty, Military, Political and Celebrity.

Royalty not so much, while at Northolt we had nominal responsibility for Royal flights out of Gatwick and Heathrow, in reality BA and the Foreign Office were truly in charge, we just had to be around because it was an air-related movement. Minor Royals did use Northolt a bit and I do recall Princess Marina’s chauffeur indiscreetly treating us to recordings of her conversations from her car.

Military is another domain. I was Traffic Officer at RAF Khormaksar on the day when Lt Col Colin (Mad Mitch) Mitchell of the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was ‘sent home’ when his regiment’s actions in Crater were adjudged controversial.

A contrasting figure was Air Chief Marshal Sir Augustus (Gus) Walker GCB, CBE, DSO, DFC, AFC, Croix de Guerre and Legion d’Honneur. While working as station commander at RAF Syerston he rushed in a fire truck from the control tower to a taxiing Lancaster when he saw it was on fire. He then tried to remove incendiary bombs from under the bomb bay in the hope that he could prevent a 4,000-pound (1,800 kg) bomb from exploding, but it detonated and he lost his right arm as a result.

Sir Gus was probably the finest senior Officer I ever had dealings with. Although, as Deputy CinC AFCent he flew his personal Pembroke frequently into Northolt, he unfailingly addressed the DAMO personally by name. The story went around that he was briefed by his crew and ADC of the DAMO’s name as they taxied in. I can refute this. Many years later as a civilian, I was on a BA flight out of Leeds/Bradford, and Sir Gus sat down in the seat in front of me, but before he did, looked me in the eye and said ‘Good morning Lloyd’. Made my day I can tell you! I met every senior officer serving and retired at this time; few were like him.

Handling politicians at Northolt was an everyday occurrence. In the 1970 Labour Government were many characters.

David Owen was the then Secretary of State for the Navy, and on this occasion was flying out of Northolt in an RN Gannet to land on the deck of some long-forgotten warship. This was the first time I’d handled a VIP departing on a Gannet, and to say I was unprepared for the deafening explosive cartridge engine start would be a gross understatement! My salute was wobbly!

Dennis Healey as Defence Minister was a frequent visitor. He occasionally attended dinners at the RAF College of Air Warfare at Manby in Lincolnshire. I was on duty late one evening when he flew into Northolt from Manby, his Ministerial car positioned on the pan awaiting him. He exited the aircraft, I saluted and the driver opened the car door. He got in. The car wouldn’t start. I ushered him into the VIP lounge and offered him a drink which he refused. I had already alerted MT to get a car over to us asap. It arrived, Healey got in & the car wouldn’t start. ‘Typical bloody Labour Government!’ He exclaimed. ‘Nothing works!’ Back into the VIP lounge and MT magicked up another car in short order. This time everything worked. 

Celebrities were occasional, I remember handling Rod Stewart and the Small Faces. I was also Press Liaison Officer at this time when the film ‘Battle of Britain’ was being filmed at Northolt and meeting Trevor Howard and the famous Gp Capt Hamish Mahaddie, RAF advisor on the film.

VIPs are just people after all, but some are worth revering, others maybe not so much. Some of my VIPs are colleagues from my time in the RAF, maybe not famous at all, but shining examples of  really great worthwhile people.

Regards,

Richard

Australia Considering HIMARS ‘Fire Raid’ With C-130J Transport Aircraft
Australia is considering using Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transport aircraft for HIMARS “shoot and scoot” maneuvers close to enemy lines.  The truck-mounted rocket system’s ability to fit inside the aircraft was one of the reasons Canberra bought it in January, a Lockheed representative revealed recently.  Canberra snapped up 20 HIMARS in January for an estimated $385 million. The country is expected to start receiving the deliveries in 2025.

“It was one of their high priority requirements,” Flight Global quoted Wayne Harrison as saying at the Avalon Airshow outside Melbourne.  Put [HIMARS] into a C-130, and then fly it deep to the flank, where maybe the enemy is not expecting it and firing a mission that surprises the enemy,” Harrison explained, saying that the mission is technically called a “fire raid,” and informally a “shoot and scoot.”

The outlet explained that the rapid maneuver involves unloading the five-ton Lockheed system and a three-member crew from the aircraft. The crew then drives it toward the opposite end of the runway for a rocket salvo at predetermined targets as the aircraft taxis for take-off.  The HIMARS and the aircraft then meet at the “downwind end of the airstrip for loading and take-off into the wind,” in a less-than-10-minute operation.

The US Marines Corps first employed the “fire raid” maneuver in 2010.

A US Marine Corps High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System loads onto a US Air Force C130 Hercules at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 7, 2022.
Flight Global
From: Barry Tappenden, Shortstown, Beds 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Good evening Tony,

VIP Encounters Parts 1 & 2

Part 1: As many of you know, when a MAMS team is deployed into the depths of the Borneo jungle, we instantly come under the watchful command of the British Army! One of the excursions that befell the FEAF MAMS was a 6-week stint to the lovely outpost Bario. Upon arrival we were ordered not to shave or wash with perfumed soap. Being a young man, not shaving wasn’t a problem but by the end of 6 weeks we did hum a little, although none of the team seemed to notice. We were evacuated to Labuan to catch a flight back to Seletar, still unwashed and a bit ripe. Our aircraft was a VIP Hastings, that was “showing” the higher gentry and ladies what the sharp end was like. As we boarded there was a commotion from the (delicate) other pax about where we, the very ripe MAMS team, should sit if we should sit at all. The poor AQM was using all of his air fresheners at an alarming rate. On landing there was a lot of muttering and ladies still clutching hankies to their noses.

Part 2: A MAMS team was despatched to Jesselton, North Borneo, to  assist in the handling of Prince Philip's luggage when he arrived to inspect the troops. As the team leader approached the aircraft some very well built gentlemen, with sizable bulges under their tops, told him in some unprintable terms that we were not wanted. We saw some lovely countryside on the way back to base!

From: Stephen Davey, Tadcaster, North Yorks 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Tony,

It's quite a coincidence that you have mentioned Douglas Bader as your VIP encounter. During my tour at RAF Brüggen in the Supply Squadron, I was employed in SCAF (Further Accounts).  One of my jobs was the accounting of items issued to the new school which was to be opened by Douglas Bader as it was named after him.  My boss, the SNCO i/c, and I were invited to the opening ceremony.  Personally I didn't get the chance to speak to him but was within touching distance of him! So, that was my brief encounter with a VIP.

Regards,

Steve
The 1975 opening of Bader First School with WW2 fighter pilot, Group Captain Douglas Bader, Mrs Bader, Headteacher Derek Armstrong and Group Captain Harding
From: Bryan Morgan, Abingdon, Oxon 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Tony,

I have two memories of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Firstly, when I was an instructor on No 1 Parachute Training School (PTS) at RAF Abingdon in the early 1960s he visited a ground training display and was meant to come in at one end of the hangar walk down the centre, with activities on each side, and leave at the other end. At the halfway mark he turned right angles and made a bee line for a cupboard standing against the wall. When he opened it about twenty brooms and shovels fell out at his feet. He turned to our boss and said, “I wondered where you had them hidden”.

Secondly, after my transfer to the Supply Branch, and during my tour as S Mov O on Gan in 1970, my secondary duty was Officer i/c the Corporals' Club. On the day the Duke of Edinburgh flag-stopped on his way back to the UK from Australia, I had to wear two hats and had to be pretty nifty in welcoming him, with the Station Commander, firstly on the pan and then three minutes later in the Corporals' Club. At the latter he first met Nancy, our resident WRVS lady, who he engaged in banter for about five minutes. Nancy later refused to divulge the content of her chat with HRH! The Duke went on to chat with about eight groups of all ranks leaving each one in gales of laughter. When invited to leave to rejoin his aircraft he turned round and said to the assembled crowd that he had enjoyed his flag stop immensely but he was sorry that everyone would have to do without one particular present for the forthcoming Christmas.

During the beer call after his departure the number who said it was the best hour they had spent on the island was total. The fact that the visit had been on a Sunday, when the station normally stood down, made no difference.

Bryan

From: John Bell, Birmingham 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

Not sure of the date because this particular task did not involve having to fly and therefore is not recorded in my log book.

I was tasked, with two other team members, to go to Leeds Castle in Kent to handle the transfer between Manston Airport and Leeds Castle of European Union presidents, foreign ministers and other VIPs for a conference. They would fly into Manston and then be transferred by helicopter to Leeds Castle. The other half of our team was at the Manston end.

We arrived at a field outside the castle to find that the reception team consisted of Prince Charles and a couple of men in suits nearby, with our threesome on hand as baggage handlers.

As we waited for each VIP to fly in, Prince Charles came over and chatted to us. He was very easy to talk to and when asked how we should address him and the incoming VIPs he told us that we should call him and all the VIPs “SIR”. He said that we could not go far wrong if we did that. So we did and it worked. All in all a very pleasant task.

John

Canada's Aid to Ukraine Continues
On March 15, 2023, as part of Canada's support of Ukraine, an Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) was loaded on to an AN-124 aircraft in Trenton, Ontario.  The vehicle is being donated to the armed forces of Ukraine by the Government of Canada.
From: George Fouhey, Bedford, Beds 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

I was stationed at RAF Akrotiri in 1970 when Susan Maughan, Clodagh Rodgers and Bernard Manning staged through while touring abroad for the troops as part of the Combined Services Entertainment (CSE). Bernard Manning took to the tannoy in the pax lounge while waiting for his flight, which had been delayed - it caused a gleeful uproar!

George
Clodagh Rodgers sang "Jack in the Box" in the 1971 Eurovision contest
Susan Maughan's cover of "Bobby's Girl" went to
number 3 in the British charts
Comedian Bernard Manning caused an uproar in the Akrotiri Passenger Lounge
From: Tony Street, Buffalo, NY 
Subject: VIP Encounter

Hi Tony,

In 1955, I was an LAC stationed at RCAF Station Claresholm, Alberta where I was involved in two major activities. The first being a "Bin Rat" (Supply Tech) which was of mild or no interest to me,  the second was as a bass drummer in the station pipe band which was of much greater interest as we went places and played music(?), met people, drank beer and had fun.

Most of our activities were marching in military related parades followed by much revelry in the Canadian Legion. We also played at military funerals followed by subdued revelry in the Canadian Legion.

It was November 11th, 1955 when we were bussed to Ft. McCloud to lead the Remembrance Day parade. There was much hustle and bustle forming the many groups up for inspection. It was a surprise to all when it was revealed that the inspecting officer was to be Air Marshal Billy “Bish” Bishop VC, the Royal Canadian Air Force WWl flying Ace . When it was discovered he was in the area he was asked to command the parade as his presence would further honour the day. Billy Bishop - Wikipedia

The inspection was on a narrow street with a strong breeze funneled down its length. This made standing at attention holding my bass drum at 90º to the wind extremely wobbly. As Bishop walked through our ranks, he noticed my difficulty and approached me. He came to attention and commanded, "Airman, Leeeeeeft Turn!" I quickly obeyed the order and then had my back to the wind, "Whew!"

As he strode off, I heard him remark, "Common sense, just common sense." I didn’t know to whom that remark was directed, myself or the Drum Major.

The parade was carried out without further ado.

Best regards

Tony

Air Marshal Billy Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED
From: Paul “Arfur” English, Sparcells, Wilts 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

Met a few famous folk in my career; Jim Davidson, Bob Carolgees and his dog Spit, Sir Norman Wisdom and Bertie Ahern the former Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland).

There were two that really stood out in my career. Firstly, the Padre who christened my eldest son. The Rev (Sqn Ldr) Tom Goode back in the early 90s. Fast forward to 1997 in Akrotiri, met a VIP 2-Star with the SAMO (Sqn Ldr Thomson). Who should the 2-Star be but the Reverend Air Vice Marshal Tom Goode - he recognised me and bypassed the SAMO for a chat.

Secondly, I met HRH Prince Philip in Aldergrove. Observing Royal Protocol whilst escorting him across the airfield, he turned to me and said, “The weather is rather awful today Corporal English."

My reply, "Your Royal Highness, there is a saying in Northern Ireland, if you can see Lough Neagh it’s going to rain. If you can’t see it, it’s because it's raining." He found that most amusing!

Regards

Arfur

From: Steve Harpum, Faringdon, Oxon 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

Like a lot of movers I've had my fair share of Royal Flights and other such VIP encounters, many while I was OC Base Air Movements at RAF Lyneham in the mid-1990s.

One in particular, however, is forever stuck in my mind. I was driving back from RAF High Wycombe in OC UKMAMS Mini Metro and as I approached the roundabout on the outskirts of the village I realised there was a large, black car (LBC) coming up from Dauntsey Bank, on my right. I thought if I just put my foot down a little I could nip out in front of the aforementioned LBC. Sadly, the "mighty Metro's" 1.0 litre engine didn't exactly throw me back in my seat and although I did get out of the junction in front of the LBC I could see that the driver had had to brake hard and the front of the car had dipped sharply. "Oops!" I thought, "still, nearly back at the main gate".

I headed up the road with the LBC behind me and, although it might have been my imagination, I thought they were driving in a slightly aggressive manner. I turned into the main gate and the LBC followed me! I thought they were going to try and flag me down for what had been, admittedly, a pretty poor piece of driving on my part.

"No problem," I thought, "I'll just tell the gate guard not to let them in." I wound down the window and leant forward to instruct the airman accordingly, but before I could say a word he said to me, "Would you mind just pulling over to the side to let Princess Anne through, Sir?". Sure enough, it wasn't any old LBC, it was a Royal LBC. Sorry, Ma'am!

Take care, and keep up the good work,

Steve

RAF Air Mobility Force participate in Orion 2023
The RAF Air Mobility Force have participated in Orion 2023, a major French Joint Forces Command exercise aimed at reinforcing operational readiness and involving 12,000 troops.

An Atlas C1 flew two sorties to insert a company of 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles and their equipment to integrate with the French Marine 8th Parachute Regiment (8th RPIMa) for a tactical, combined arms exercise. Over 100 soldiers were flown with their supporting equipment from Toulouse to Castres where a rapid engine running offload saw the aircraft disgorge the troops within 90 seconds. In parallel, Atlas aircraft from the Armée de l'air et de l'espace flew in French forces.

Subsequently a 47 Squadron Hercules (C-130J) flew a long range sortie to the south of France, dropping quad bikes and trailers to 16 Air Assault Brigade troops on the ground. The aircraft returned directly to the UK without landing, a round trip of over 1,000 nm.

First run in 2021, Orion 23 is a major exercise for France’s armed forces and provides the perfect opportunity for multinational, combined arms training in a scenario developed by NATO that exercises all the way from planning to high end war fighting. Planned to be realistic and testing, the exercise spans across different geographical terrains, as well as different domains (space, cyber, information). Orion 23 will equally assess the cross-governmental response to crises, outside the sphere of operation for the Armed Forces.

"Tasks such as this provide the Atlas Force with invaluable exposure to operating in Combined Joint environments and we are proud to have played our part. We are delighted to once again operate alongside our European partners, and also to be able to demonstrate our ability to support 16 Air Assault Brigade in the air land role." - Wing Commander Patton, Officer Commanding 30 Squadron.

The exercise is the latest to showcase how the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) would operate. The Anglo-French military force draws upon the Armed Forces of both nations to rapidly field a deployable force able to conduct and sustain offensive and defensive operations on land, in the air, and at sea.

raf.mod.uk

From: Fred Hebb, Gold River, NS 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hey Tony,

This did not happen to me but I thought it to be funny as told to me by a former boss. It happened at the Citadel in Quebec City, the Governor General was to arrive at a specific time as Reviewing Officer for a parade of the Royal 22nd Regiment. The RSM sent a young Private to the gate to await the GG’s arrival and give the driver directions to the parade square. When the car arrived late the Private informed the people in the car that they were late and the RSM will be pissed and have their ass if they didn’t hurry up (I cannot confirm the validity of this story).

On a different subject when I flew on Dash 7’s out of Lahr there was a horrible smell in the aircraft which the servicing personnel had a heck of a time finding it’s origin. Apparently Pierre Trudeau took his son fishing and the younger Trudeau wanted to take a fish home with him so he decided to tuck the fish down between the seat and the fuselage of the aircraft. Problem solved.

Cheers,

Fred

From: Clive Hall, Swindon, Wilts 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Tony,

One of the more interesting VIP's that I have had the pleasure to chat to was on Ascension Island late 80's where Sir Harry Secombe transitted in the early hours en route to Falklands for a TV programme. I had to 'mother' him in the lounge area keeping the higher ranks at bay and feeding him tea / coffee and bikkies! He asked if he really had to go to Long Beach to see the turtles as he was absolutely knackered but gentle persuasion pushed him into the Landrover and after oohing and aahing he returned giving the thank ##### thats over!!!

After chatting he asked if there was anything I wanted but steering away from autographs I asked for a NEDDY SEAGOON rendition which gave laughter to all! The entourage came by and were about to b####ck me but he explained was for a good cause so got away with it. (Neddy Seagoon for the uninitiated was a character in the Goon Show for which us KOS's remember well.)

Rgds

Clive Hall (known as 'Jaws' whilst in the South Atlantic - but that's another story)

Air Mobility and the War in Ukraine
By Phil Clare
On 17 January 2022, the Government of the United Kingdom announced that it would be supplying weapons to Ukraine.  The first Royal Air Force (RAF) flight began delivering weapons to Ukraine on the same day. 

As 2022 came to a close, the RAF Air Mobility Force (AMF) had flown over 240 flights and transported thousands of tonnes of weapons, equipment, and personnel on an airbridge that stretched from the UK to Eastern Europe and beyond.  This article will examine the UK’s use of air mobility in the Ukrainian conflict, an air power role that, since February 2022, has been vital in sustaining Britain’s contribution to the war.

The important but boring bit – doctrine, definitions, and scope1
UK doctrine states that Air Mobility provides the ability to deploy, sustain and recover personnel and equipment.  It consists of three mission types: airlift, air-to-air refuelling, and personnel recovery.  This article will focus on airlift. However, it is worth noting that RAF Voyager tankers have supported the massive intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance and defensive counter-air efforts along NATO’s eastern borders.
The international airlift effort – military and civilian
Although this article focuses on the UK airlift effort, it is interesting how other nations use the capability.  Unsurprisingly, the largest air mobility contribution comes from the United States Air Force (USAF); like its military aid contribution, the scale of its airlift effort dwarfs other protagonists.  The USAF’s efforts have also been supported by several commercial charter companies drawn from the Civil Air Reserve Fleet.
Javelin anti-tank missiles, delivered by Kalitta Air at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, February 10, 2022. (REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenk)
NATO’s fleet of 3 C17s, the heavy airlift wing (HAW), has recently been seen transporting artillery shells from Norway.  The HAW operates from Hungary, which is somewhat ironic given that country’s attitude to the war.  The German Air Force has also conducted a number of aeromedical flights from Poland to a range of German cities.  That Canadian C17s have recently transported Leopard tanks to Europe is a powerful reminder that the speed and reach of airlift can also play an important role in the information war.

The charter market has also seen Antonov Airlines’ An124 aircraft delivering support to Ukraine.  These aircraft may be operating as part of NATO’s SALIS agreement – last used by the UK during the withdrawal of combat troops from Afghanistan.  The US Civil Air Reserve Fleet and SALIS provide guaranteed access to the commercial market but come at a price.  The UK prefers to access the market through enabling contracts.  This is a tried and tested system that eschews guaranteed access for a flexible approach using trusted brokers.  Both approaches have their merits.  What is clear is that the size and scale of the Ukrainian airlift is beyond that of purely military transport aircraft.

A RAF C-17A Globemaster III heavy-lift aircraft flown by 99 Squadron. Credit: MOD.
From the Russian perspective, Iran has used Boeing 747 and Ilyushin transport aircraft to supply drones to Moscow.  It is difficult to imagine any significant potential contribution from China would not take place without airlift being involved.  The Chinese are clearly capable of such an effort, having delivered FK-3 surface to air missile systems to Serbia using six Y-20 transport aircraft in April 2022.
The UK contribution – from surge to airbridge
The RAF began delivering NLAW anti-tank weapons to Ukraine ahead of the Russian invasion.  Flight Radar 24 shows the RAF flew over a dozen sorties into Ukraine (Kyiv and Lviv) prior to the 24th of February.  The RAF air transport fleet has also gone beyond the borders of Europe to help the UK secure ammunition and military equipment from third party countries.
Intense activity in March 2022 (30 C17 sorties) mirrored the Government’s increased military support to Ukraine.  Since then, the effort has taken the shape and feel of an airbridge with approximately 10-12 C17 flights operating per month.  That is not to say that other surges have not taken place – the figure leapt to 19 flights in September 2022, for example.  Flight data for the month of January 2023 showed a total of 10 sorties were flown, with half of those taking place over a period of just 9 days between the 4 and 13 of the month.  The ability to surge and flex in response to a series Government announcements on weapon supplies is something unique to air.  It is interesting to see that as of February 2023, the A400M appears to have joined the airlift effort (more on this later). 
Military flights to Rzeszow 1 October to 1 November 2022 (social media)
The majority of the RAF’s flights have used the Polish airport of Rzezsow as an international logistics hub.  The flexibility offered by air mobility allows discreet loads to be delivered in sequence, so as not to exceed airport capacity (in terms of aircraft on the ground or the quantity of explosives that can be stored or handled there). Timely and flexible delivery also helps with the equipment’s onward movement. Each time, the RAF’s AMF responded to the need.  It has done exactly what UK doctrine asks by ‘creating rapid strategic influence in support of UK national objectives, or in support of a key ally’.  Events in Ukraine have reinforced how critical air mobility is to a major land war.
Demonstrating global reach – Pakistan
The ability to surge beyond the UK and to provide air transport for those nations that may lack the capability has been a standout feature of the RAF’s efforts to date.  In November 2022, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said that partner countries were working with third ‘unofficially involved countries’ to purchase additional materiel for further transfer to Ukraine.  There is clearly a scramble for soviet-era weapons and munitions which the Ukrainian Army will be familiar with.  It seems that the RAF has played a role in facilitating the movement of weapons and equipment belonging to these third nations.

The UK Government’s Research Paper on Military Assistance to Ukraine does not list Pakistan as a contributing nation.  This is despite a Ukrainian weapons tracking site showing 122mm shells manufactured in Pakistan were being used by Ukrainian gunners.  The report came shortly after it was revealed that a RAF C17 aircraft had made approximately 12 trips between Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, Pakistan to Cluj International Airport in Romania. 

These flights, which took place between the 6th and 21st of August came only two weeks after the UK Government announced it was supplying Ukraine with 50,000 shells.  Given that it takes several days to obtain diplomatic flight clearances across the Middle East, the RAF responded to the UK announcement as quickly as possible – a clear demonstration of speed and reach.  Equally, the latest, much larger shipment weapon shipment from Pakistan also highlights the value of surface lift when it comes to bulk.

Demonstrating global reach – Jordan
We can see a similar pattern of flights being repeated from Amman in Jordan.  Whereas the UK airlift of munitions from Pakistan appears to have been a one off, the flights out of Jordan have not.  In May 2022, several flights emanating from Amman stopped off at Ostrava in the Czech Republic.  In November, almost half of the RAF C17 flights into Poland emanated from Amman. 

The only Jordanian weapon confirmed as being used in Ukraine is the RPG 32 Nashshab, a shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon.  Given that this weapon weighs approximately 10kg when loaded, it is highly likely that the RAF flights carried far more substantial weapons and/or quantities of ammunition into Poland.  Most equipment fielded by the Jordanian Armed Forces, including its towed and tracked artillery, is of Western origin.  The exception is approximately 100 mobile SAM systems of Soviet origin supplied by Saddam Hussein in 1982 as a reward for a Jordanian volunteer unit fighting against Iran.

It may well be that the efforts out of Pakistan and Jordan may be repeated at some point.  Secretary of State Ben Wallace has said the United Kingdom is looking into placing production orders for Ukraine from around the world.2

Getting to Poland without the help of an Atlas?
In August 2021 the Wavell Room published ‘We need to talk about RAF air transport’.  The article was scathing about the decision published in the March 2021 Defence Command Paper to retire the C130 fleet 7 years early and spoke of a loss in overall airlift capacity.  Whilst that debate is outside the scope of this article, it is interesting to note that the majority of the RAF’s Ukraine flights were conducted by C17s of 99 Squadron.  The newer, more numerous, A400M has barely featured until very recently.  A European route/airbridge should be meat and drink to an aircraft of its size.  It is difficult to explain why an aircraft of the C17s age should be almost exclusively shouldering the burden. 

A400M airframe availability is quoted as being at 70% of the fleet (13-14 aircraft) between March 2021 and September 2022.  This could lead one to believe that the contractual definition of  ‘available’ may not sit well with the user’s perspective.  The A400 fleet has not been idle, but it has had to focus on replacing the tactical capabilities of the C130J.  The decision made in 2021 to retire the C130 has meant that A400 crews and airframes have to be committed to training and obtaining the necessary tactical clearances.

Another factor that may be at play is that the A400 cannot carry a full range of warlike stores.  When the C130J entered RAF service in 1999, it suffered several issues with vibration from the propellers that prevented it from carrying its full complement of passengers or from transporting certain types of explosives.  It would be concerning if the A400 was still limited in this respect after such a long time in service.

An RAF A400M Atlas transport aircraft carrying out test landings on a beach in South Wales.
Lessons so far
Air mobility has played a key role in supporting a major European land war.  Both Ukraine and Russia have used air mobility to receive critical, time sensitive equipment.  From a UK perspective, air mobility was involved from the outset, supplying large numbers of anti-tank weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces prior to the Russian invasion.

As well as demonstrating speed and reach within Europe, the AMF has also operated in support of ‘Global Britain’, transporting arms and equipment belonging to donor nations who were either unable to transport it themselves or who preferred to stay out of the headlines.

From a RAF perspective the C17 has been at the core of the UK effort.  The 2021 multi million pound investment in the C17 is an excellent example of how proven, older platforms can remain in service and often outperform their newer counterparts.  The newer A400’s contribution has been minimal.  The reasons are unclear but after eight years, there is still work to do.

The widespread use of charter aircraft has shown that demand has outstripped supply when it comes to military airlift.  We also need to bear in mind that the large-scale movement of vehicles remains the bailiwick of sea and surface movement.  The Canadian Leopards were a useful reminder of the visual impact of seeing tanks being ‘flown into conflict’ – an important addition to a conflict where information operations and messaging are playing a key role.  Airlift may lack the capacity of sea and surface, but its speed is vital and is uniquely suited to the rapid replenishment of ammunition. 

The key message behind Andy and Sophie’s article remains extant – the UK Air Mobility Force’s role in the Ukraine conflict has seen it influence the behaviour of actors and course of events since January 2022 and long may it continue to do so.

Footnotes

1. By examining information available from flight tracking services, it is possible to get some detail behind the RAF’s efforts over the past 12 months.  Not every flight can be counted; some aircraft will operate without a transponder.  For this reason, and due to its focus on tactical airlift, the work of the C130Js of 47 Squadron has been omitted from the analysis.

 

2. House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee 1 November 2022. (https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/c13f3b65-b1b1-481f-911c-db5bece33b9f at 15:57hrs)

 

About the Author
Phil Clare
Senior Air and Space Editor
Wavell Room, Dorset, UK

Phil is a former RAF Logistics Officer.  He has over 30 years experience of single and joint service environments, as well as operational experience that spans Ops GRANBY to HERRICK.
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The majority of the RAF’s flights have used the Polish airport of Rzezsow as an international logistics hub.  The flexibility offered by air mobility allows discreet loads to be delivered in sequence, so as not to exceed airport capacity (in terms of aircraft on the ground or the quantity of explosives that can be stored or handled there). Timely and flexible delivery also helps with the equipment’s onward movement.
From: Andy Downard, Ballarat, VIC 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

My VIP encounter at Lyneham with the head of the Italian armed forces was an interesting one. Myself and another poor lad had been pinged to adorn ourselves with the dreaded white overalls. I'm sure some VIPs thought that was our normal working attire. The head Italian guy was to be met by all and sundry from the higher echelons of the air force. My partner in crime and I were standing in front of the passenger terminal facing this august lineup of the top brass on each side of the steps.

Part of the show was to be a mini air display with a Harrier jump-jet to do a few turns. As many of us will remember, the Harrier was a loud piece of work when doing a vertical take-off. I was stationed at Wittering when the Harrier came into service, and at that time, we 'heard' a number of them suffer engine failures when doing a vertical take-off (the loud roar suddenly going quiet).

Anyway, we were all waiting on the top guy to arrive with the roar in the background, which suddenly went quiet. I knew something was up based on my Wittering experience; the brass didn't until the Load Control window on the second floor opened, and the SNCO from Load Control stuck his head out and yelled, "Sir!" All the Brass turned around. "The Harrier's crashed!" At that, he pulled his head in and closed the window. With that announcement, there was a momentary pause (probably trying to work out whose problem it was), all hell broke loose, and numerous aides-de-camp were sent running in all directions.

My buddy and I had no problem recognising that crashed Harriers were well above our pay grade and stayed perfectly still. The solution was to wave the VIP jet around for another circuit while the resulting fire got put out. A group of the air crash fire trucks positioned themselves so they could keep between the VIP jet and the crashed Harrier, slowly moving to keep it covered as the aircraft taxied past. As the VIP came down the steps, he was clearly distracted by the remaining wafts of smoke from up by the control tower.

I can't remember the name of the understated SNCO from Load Control; perhaps one of the members might want to own up. My enduring memory is the entire welcoming party turning as one at the shouted, "Sir!"

Andy

From: Chris Goss, Marlow, Bucks 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Tony

Crikey - 2 years as SAMO Northolt, where do I begin?  All the Royals, Salman Rushdie (when he was still in hiding), Ayrton Senna, Maggie Thatcher, all of the then Government from John Major downwards, Whitney Houston (had to charge a VASS SAC for chasing her car wanting her autograph).  Many others but I wish I had made a note - some were really nice (like Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Neil Kinnock) but others were ignorant and shall therefore remain anonymous

Chris
From: Terry Jackson, St Albans, Herts 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

An interesting topic and one that links with last month's subject of embarrassing moments.  Again the location is RAF Changi, 1971.  A VC10 in VIP role was transiting through Changi returning to UK. On board was the wife of an air ranking officer, Lady Cockburn. DAMO and myself were to meet her at the aircraft steps. DAMO referred to her as Lady Cockburn. I suggested he should refer to her as Lady Coburn. After some discussion he agreed.

When the aircraft landed, we met Lady Cockburn at the bottom of the aircraft steps. DAMO saluted and said, "Welcome to Singapore Lady Coburn." 

She replied, "The name is pronounced Cockburn!"

I disappeared!

Terry
From: David Powell, Princes Risborough, Bucks 
Subject: VIP Encounters


Dear Tony,

You invited stories of interaction with pop stars, royalty and national heroes.  I think I can tick all three boxes during my time in the RAF.
Pop Stars: I interviewed the Dave Clark Five and Herman's Hermits when they passed through Singapore. I was a disc jockey with RAF Changi Radio in 1964-67.  The Hermits interview  also involves a Movements Officer, Maureen Bussey.  Anyway, one Saturday I was off to the Hilton Hotel to interview the Hermits, and invited Mo to join me.  We arrived at the venue, a typical scene of people milling about, several, including myself with portable tape recorders.  Unfortunately, I used a coiled up rubber snake to hold my tapes in place while on the move.  To interview my first Hermit; I open the lid of the recorder and out flies my tape restrainer, aka ‘Snake Alert Panic!’.  I think this may have been the Hermits’ first morning in the Far East.

Now, I should explain: a) Mo was/is very attractive; b) I don’t think she had ever heard of the Hermits, and, c) was not particularly impressed by this gang of musicians.  It was also obvious that the group were so used to having young fans throwing themselves at them, that they had completely lost the art of chatting up a young lady, if indeed they ever had it.  There then followed a most entertaining session as I watched the guys trying so hard to impress Mo.  The harder they tried, the less impressed she appeared to be!  So, Pop Stars – tick.

Royals: The best memory was from when I had a detachment from UKMAMS to New York when trooping to the US switched from the RMS Queen Elizabeth steamship (the original one) to VC-10s using JFK; it later moved to Dulles.  We also handled British military VIPs on civil flights.  One day, I was detailed to see in Sir and Lady Somebody arriving on a Qantas Flight, I think he was the Surgeon General.  The important element was that his wife was related in some way to HM The Queen Mother, i.e. she was a ‘real’ Lady.

To ensure a smooth arrival, I dropped in on the head man of customs and immigration.  I don’t think he had quite forgiven me for an earlier “I’ve 25,000 live mosquitos coming in on a BOAC flight.” “No!” “But, yes, they are yours on their way to Bethesda for trials” (This was the days of Viet Nam etc.)  Fortunately, while he was not particularly impressed by the arrival of yet another 4-star general, the mere mention of the wife’s family connections – “A real Royal!” changed everything.  On their arrival, they were first off; as far I could see, so were their suitcases.  I met my VIPs at the foot of the steps.

“This way please”  It was just a short walk to the International Arrivals building.  We then shot through the system being greeted, handshakes, papers stamped etc., in a blur.  And, in less than 10 minutes from doors open, my VIPs (and all their bags) were being loaded into their waiting car! So, Royals - tick.

National Heroes: This has to a fascinating hour and a half, one rain-swept evening giving the Archbishop of Canterbury’s special envoy, Terry Waite, a lift from Nuffield College, Oxford (where I was on a year’s sabbatical), to Lambeth Palace, London.  Not especially chosen, I was the only one with a car.  The other members of the senior common room either used a bike or walked.

The following day Terry Waite would be having what would turn out to be his final briefing, including with his most recent ‘hostage rescues’, before returning to Lebanon and what would be his last hostage negotiation attempt. Within a couple of weeks, on 20th January 1987, he was himself taken hostage. He would not be released until November 1991. So, National Hero - tick.

Stay Warm, Stay Safe

David Powell
F Team UKMAMS RAF Abingdon 1967-69

From: Graham Allen, Cropwell Butler, Notts 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,
My second encounter with a VIP was at Gutersloh. It was the Princess Royal. She had been visiting one of her Army regiments in her position as Colonel-in-Chief. Also in attendance was the Chief of the Defence Staff and his MA. The ATLO staff were flying at fifty thousand feet panicking. I’m checking everybody in and they run and shout the General's here - quick! Their faces were a picture when I said, "It’s alright, he can wait!"

The ATLO Captain is now touching base with the moon! All I hear is "My dear boy, what are you doing here?” I responded, "The General was my former Colonel in 1st Regt Royal Horse Artillery and his MA was my Battery Commander. The Princess Royal said, "This is quite a reunion, I also know Graham. We had previously met on about five other occasions."

WO Keith Davies told me to accompany them in the VIP Lounge. It was great to catch up with them all, they all had one question, "What was I doing in blue?"  I answered, "It's simple, I saw the light and changed sides!" Much laughter.

Happy days.

Graham

It was a very foggy night at Northolt, very little moving and I had quite a run in with one Robert Maxwell (owner of the Daily Mirror). He was ranting and raving because his aircraft had not arrived from Paris to take him to Spain. He had reduced our young female DAMO to tears poking her in the shoulder. He picked on the wrong one when he tried the same with me! He objected when I pulled him across the counter by his lapels! The Station Commander asked me what had been going on. I told him about all the aggression we had been getting from him from the minute he stepped into Movements. His last words were leave it with me. Next thing Maxwell is being escorted off of the station and told never to darken our doors again.
From: Ian Berry, Eastleaze, Swindon, Wilts 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

The word VIP alone can be an emotive word as certain individuals class themselves as "Important People" and some gain that status for acts or reasons others are bemused by!

Over my career I met many a so called VIP as well as the VVIPs, normally Royals. A majority were whilst I did tours at RAF Lyneham although my first encounter was probably in 1971 at RAF Nicosia. The Northern Ireland football team were in Cyprus for an international match, the station was asked if we could provide a team to play them in our very own "Dustbowl". I was a player then (defender) and who should I meet and play against but George Best!

I met many VIPs whist serving as a DAMO at Lyneham and these included Pavaroti who flew in at the invitation of Prince Charles to entertain him him at Highgrove. I also remember Frank Williams, owner of the F1 racing team based at Didcot arrived a few times. He was in a wheelchair and so the lads on shift were required to assist. James Dyson, who owned the Dyson brand and had a factory at Malmsbury was also a regular. I also remember that on two occasions I had to entertain the Duke of Westminster in the VIP Lounge whilst he waited for his flight. On both occasions he was in uniform and had the rank of major as he was a serving officer in the TA. A lovely, polite man and easy to talk to. Who would realise he was the richest man in Britain and owned half of London.

I was also on duty for the homecoming of all three of the Beirut hostages, Terry Waite, Harry Mann and John McCarthy in 1991. All flew into Lyneham on a VC10 and then spent a week or so in the Officers' Mess and then Wroughton being debriefed and decompressing. I seem to recall that Terry Waite's VC10 had an undercarriage problem and flew all the way back with a mainwheel locked down. It had to fly as all the World's press were waiting. John McCarthy also brought back a letter from his captors to be passed on to the UN. Consequently the UN Secretary General, Javie Perez, flew into Lyneham on a Puma helicopter and McCarthy passed on the letter. I recall that on the day this happened a barrier had been set up between the hangars and the spot where the Puma would stop. Amongst the hordes of press was a BBC team including Matthew Amrilowala. Sods Law! Before the Puma arrived, in came a Royal Flight HS125 carrying Princess Anne and her Close Protection Detective. Like a prat, Amraliwala and his film crew vaulted the barrier and ran towards the disembarking Royal. A gun was drawn and there was nearly an incident! I think they were then escorted off camp.

I also met many Government Ministers, some with veiled contempt! One that sticks in my mind was a vist by the then Defence Minister Geoff (Buff) Hoon. He was being shown around one of our brand new C130J models, already loaded for a trip to Bosnia or somewhere else hostile. He was being briefed about the self-defence suite fitted to the aircraft for protection. In reality the kit had been borrowed from the Italian Air Force as his Labour Government had removed this equipment from our own procurement.

Finally the Royals, all VVIPs. It was quite a well kept secret that both Prince Charles (Now King) and his sister Princess Anne both lived locally. Highgrove House and Gatcombe Park respectively. This meant they would commute to engagements using Lyneham quite often. Anne was a regular visitor along with her Detective and usually a Lady in Waiting. When Scotland were playing rugby she would fly up for the day. Quite often she would drive herself to Lyneham in a Scimitar car or Range Rover. She would pull up alongside the aircraft and the car was left with us. Either the WO or Officer DAMO would then park the vehicle in J5 Hangar until her return. The brief always was that on threat of death DO NOT adjust the seat or mirror!

Charles was a bigger pain as he had made it known he did not want to upset the Lyneham routine and wanted his aircraft parked on a normal bay rather than the VIP spot outside the terminal. Unbeknownst to him, this caused massive grief every time he travelled as several aircraft bays had to be cleared to afford access and even his entry through a crash gate rather than the main gate tripled the amount of RAF Police required. Nobody ever had the guts to tell his staff though. Before they split, I had often met Princess Diana and as time progressed the two boys. I recall at the start of the first Gulf War that she and the boys, then aged 6 and 8 were flying to Spain for a holiday. Once they started to board the VIP Andover the two boys, William and Harry, went along the line of us at the bottom of the steps and shook everyone's hand.

I know there were more but my grey cells are diminishing. All of the above just shows the variety of VIP situations we in the Air Movements trade can encounter.

Ian

From: Timothy Richardson, Tadworth, Surrey
Subject: Famous People


Hello Tony,

Working at Northolt in the late ‘70’s saw a conveyor belt of well-known faces; from Prime Ministers, Wilson, Callaghan and Thatcher to TV types such as Dick Emery. Two that stood out for me personally were Harry Secombe, flying from Germany one Sunday evening joined us, the late shift,  for a drink in the Movers' bar. Very funny man with a very powerful hand shake!
The second was Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame. He appeared in passenger reception one winter's evening on route from California to London. Jock Adair was with me and he looked at Graham and said something like, "I know you?" Graham took out a pipe and pretended to smoke it upside down. The penny dropped!

He and a companion wondered if we could organise a taxi into town, which we did. He told us he’d been in America sorting out a forthcoming film he was in. He then produced a wicker-bound bottle of Bourbon and offered us a drink. I scrounged some paper cups and we chatted. I’m not sure how strong the Bourbon was but it ate the bottom out of the cups and made my lips go numb! The taxi arrived and off they went into the night. Again very nice man, who gave up drinking shortly after that! Must have been the stuff in the bottle!

By the way, the film was the ‘Life of Brian’.

Tim
From: Andrew Spinks, Falmouth, Cornwall 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,
There are two VIP encounters which spring to mind. 

The first was when I was OC of the RAF Movements Unit in Ottawa.  In July 1981, the G7/G8 meeting was held near Ottawa, and Maggie Thatcher was our PM; she was flying in and out by VC10.  The departure was actually straightforward and, as was expected, I was ready at the bottom of the steps to see the PM safely onto the aircraft before the steps were removed.  I had got quite used to greeting VIPs but, for some reason, I could only stand frozen to attention and saluting in front of Maggie.  She said “thank you” before she boarded but, very unusually for me, I neither looked directly at her nor felt able to engage in any conversation.  She must have thought me rude to be honest and I always regretted not having a short conversation with her.
The second incident also lives in the memory.  When I was the SAMO Brize, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) was departing somewhere (Africa I think) on a VC10 special with only him and an entourage on board.  As was normal, his car arrived outside the VIP Lounge and out stepped the CAS.  He said that one item from the not insignificant amount of luggage – a hanging wardrobe – was to go in the cabin.  “Yes Sir” and I passed these instructions to one of my lads in white overalls.  The VC10 taxied out a short time later, only to stop for several minutes.  The flight deck radioed that the VIP did not have his hanging wardrobe.  Panic all round – where is the loading party and what happened to the hanging wardrobe?  In spite of CAS’s instructions to me, passed on to the loading team, the hanging wardrobe had been put in the hold.  It was removed and taken upstairs of course.  On his return, I was there to meet the aircraft and apologised for the mix-up with the hanging wardrobe.  But this did not stop CAS writing a letter of displeasure to the Station Commander after he got back to his office in MoD.  Given my apology (which was not an easy thing to do), I thought the letter was uncalled for.  But then I was only a humble Squadron Leader.

All the best

Andy
From: John Dornan, Truro, NS 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Tony,

I read the story of Group Captain Douglas Bader. There are many fond memories of my years in military service and one recollection in particular involved Group Captain Bader.
On 05 August 1979, Aircraft 130333, MCpl Tomm Everett and myself were engaged in a Low Altitude Parachute Ejection System (LAPES) display at the Medicine Hat Air Show in Alberta.  The LAPES drop involved a red bulldozer pulling back a pallet onto the aircraft for reloading.  The red bulldozer was fondly called “Old Shakey” and still functioned commendably despite being deployed from the air dozens of times.

I asked our aircraft commander, Captain McClennan, to invite Group Captain Bader, an esteemed WW2 veteran fighter pilot to join us for the exercise at the air show. Group Captain Bader and his wife accepted the invitation and they stood in the CC-130 galley and watched the load being deployed. Both he and his wife were very appreciative of the experience and thanked the crew for the opportunity to be in the air once again!

A very memorable moment long ago.

John
From: Bernie Lafrance, Nanaimo, BC 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

One of my many VIP encounters happened during the 1967 Montreal World's Fair where we were sent to Vancouver to take Haile Selassie, former Emperor of Ethiopia, from Vancouver to Victoria and back to Vancouver the next day.
We arrived early from Ottawa and we set up for his arrival. There was a nice guard of honor and a red carpet to the stairs.  When they arrived by car he had a small dog that we weren't aware was his guard dog. When they got out of the car the dog climbed up the aircraft stairs and did a full cabin inspection then came back down and stood beside Haile and then when ready to board the dog went up first then his master. He was a fairly short fella and quite friendly compared to most VIP's and made quite an impression on the crew.

We arrived in Victoria on time (Always on Time, motto of 412 (T) VIP Squadron) and when the door opened the dog kind of flew down stairs, checked the surroundings and climbed back up the stairs to meet his master and they both went down together. The whole trip was successful; Haile presented each member of the crew with a small gold piece the size of a dime to thank us for our service.

Lulu and Haile Selassie
This was one of the many VIP movements that summer where we made the squadron honorable. I was loadmaster for a total of 7,600 flying hours with the squadron. 

Bernie
From: Allan Walker, Burnley, Lancs 
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hello Tony,

During my stint as DAMO at RAF El Adem in the early 60’s I met a number of VIPs. Like you, I met with Douglas Bader when he was travelling as Shell Ambassador throughout the Middle East.
King Idris of Libya
At the time King Idris was the Libyan monarch and I was Duty Mover when he attended a reception held in the Movements Squadron VIP room. He met with the Duke of Edinburgh who had a refuelling stop whilst transiting through from Kenya to the UK.  (As an aside the VIP lounge was built especially for Princess Elizabeth’s stopover in January  1952 when she was on board a BOAC Argonaut travelling on a world tour of Africa, Australia and New Zealand). During a tour of the Middle East the Royal Yacht Britannia visited Tobruk and we were invited on board to meet Princess Alice the then Princes Royal. An amazing evening.

(During our Movements Course at RAF Kidbrooke we were trained in Land, Sea and Air Movements and at RAF El Adem as DAMO’s we were responsible for overseeing the offloading of re-supply ships as they arrived in Tobruk Harbour.) As a young Movements Officer it was privilege to meet all of these VIPs and to carry out Sea Movements tasks as well as Air Movements.

Yours Aye, Allan

From: Alex Masson, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hello Tony,

Legs (as Jack Riley used to refer to my wife, Heather) and I managed to get an invitation to the late Queen’s Garden Party, at Buckingham Palace.  That was about seven years ago.

I saw a man introducing some members of the public to the Queen.  He did this on several occasions.  When he had finished, he left the Queen and walked over to where I was standing near to the tea tent.   He had difficulty in getting through the barriers which divide us from the Queen, so I helped him through.  He thanked me and he noticed my Royal Air Force tie which I was wearing.  He looked up and said, “Where did you do your service?”  I answered him, by saying, “Lyneham mostly, I was on Transport Command.”  He said, “I knew Lyneham very well in those days.”  And I followed it up by telling him that I had volunteered for the H-Bomb Tests on Christmas Island.

He shook my hand and said, “I was there too! – I was Sniffer Leader!  (meaning, that he was on 76 Squadron, Canberras, who flew through the cloud of atomic dust after the bombs had exploded.)  He wanted to know who my CO was, but he could not recall Flight Lieutenant J Donald Hepton.  Though he did know Squadron Leader W J (Joe) Hurst of 1325 Flight, and I told him that I flew with him on several occasions, and all of his pilots, as Load Master and Air Despatcher.   “Well, well,” He commented, “people like us do not meet every day!”.  And we went on to talk about our experiences.  I asked him if there was any truth in saying that there was one of the squadron pilots engaged on this mission, who did not last very long.  He looked very sad and said, “Yes! I remember him! The press got hold of the tale and put it down to the missions we were flying! Not true! He was a sick man – we did not know just how sick he was, until it was too late!

I assumed that I was talking to the Commanding Officer of 76 Squadron (as in 1957), Squadron Leader George Bates, but it could have been his navigator.  However, I assumed that he had risen through the ranks, and was now, if not an Air Marshal or Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

Alex

From: Colin Eyre, Bridgend, Glamorgan  
Subject: VIP Encounters

Hi Tony,

Just like you I was lucky enough to meet Douglas Bader when I was stationed at  Northolt. As with most arriving flights our troops would be out on the ramp to meet and greet but DB would say “Thank you lads I know my own way from here”. Needless to say that whilst stationed at Northolt there were a lot of encounters with VIP's but his stood out as he was so very laid back.

With E team we had a close encounter with HRH Princess Anne and Prince Charles in Nairobi. We had just finished our offload when our leader Flt Off Paul Steiner told us all to line up in the shade under the wing as he had spotted the VIP party. He had recognised who they were and although some way off he said that if they saw us and came across he was going to introduce us. Sadly they missed the opportunity but I feel confident that had they been allowed to check us out our future king would have recognised that our sweaty kd's and dirty hands were the result of service for queen and country
My closest encounter with royalty however came at Wildenrath. Whilst on a station visit, HRH Prince Phillip was going to meet a cross-section of servicemen and their wives in the movements arrival lounge. I had been detailed to pick two of my smartest lads and form a “Hat Party.” Well, the VIP party entered the lounge, HRH removed his hat and I stepped forward ready to relieve him of it so that I could put it on a table set aside for this purpose. I learned later that he doesn’t always stand on ceremony which would explain why instead of handing me his hat he chose to throw it towards a settee that was against the wall.

My mistake was when I tried to catch it in mid-air. It was flying like a frisbee when I made a grab for it. I didn’t manage to catch it but I did manage to divert it from the settee onto the floor where it went rolling along on its' brim, I am not sure if HRH saw what happened but as well as a number of the assembled who appeared to be laughing at my demise it was seen by the SWO who gave me a look that said everything. To this day I have been pleading my innocence.

Colin

From: Brian Hunt, Brighton, East Sussex 
Subject: VIP Encounter with a Comet IV


Dear Tony,

22 February 1975 - While in Kathmandu on Operation Briglog, we were asked to supervise the arrival of the Comet bringing the then Prince of Wales, Lord Mountbatten of Burma and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to the coronation of King Birendra.

The VIP reception area was set up at the end of a disused runway. The area was usually scruffy, bits of rubbish, stray dogs and accumulated dust everywhere, but they had pulled the stops out and brushed the whole runway, not with a runway sweeper, but with hand brushes!

The comet was late, allegedly because the Duchess of Gloucester had left her hat at the embassy in Delhi, and taxied round the airfield at speed, trying to catch up lost time. The plan was that the aircraft would taxi up the runway, past the receiving dais, turn round at the end of the runway and return, stopping so that the aircraft door, on the starboard side (unlike all other commercial aircraft), was opposite the dais. The crew had been briefed on the procedure in advance, because comms at the airfield were not great!

Unfortunately, the local organisers had realised that the visiting aircraft were kicking up a lot of dust and decided that the Comet would have to stop, without passing the dais, and the VIP party would have to get off the aircraft on the wrong side! They had also convinced the UK Ambassador that this would have to happen. My protests that we could not possibly allow the Prince of Wales to have to walk round the aircraft to the dais were in vain!

By this stage, the steps were being manhandled to the other side of the runway, the marshaller and his chock man, unusually resplendent in white, were standing bravely in the middle of the runway and the aircraft was approaching at speed with a cloud of dust following! As it got closer, I
realised it was not going to stop! The marshaller cottoned on a few seconds later and he and the chock man ran for their lives, the aircraft swept past, turned round at the end of the runway and returned to the receiving dais.

After another delay, getting the steps back around the aircraft, the VIP party descended, oblivious of the drama, but possibly wondering why the receiving party were a bit dishevelled and dusty!

The next day, at the embassy cocktail party for the ViPs, I spoke to the the aircraft captain, I think it was Sqn Ldr Gamble. He had realised, as they taxied up the runway, that there had been a change of plan but was not prepared to put the VIP party down on the wrong side of the aircraft!

At the cocktail party the invited guests had been corralled well in advance into the embassy garden, surrounded by a high hedge. There was quite a hubbub, with alcohol fuelled chatter, but as the Prince of Wales appeared with the VIP party through a gap in the hedge there was absolute silence, a memory that I will not forget. The ambassador introduced the VIPs to us and I was fortunate to speak (briefly) to the Prince of Wales, Lord Mountbatten of Burma and the Duke of Gloucester.

The following day the King was crowned with great fanfare in Durbar Square in the centre of Kathmandu, arriving with his entourage on a fleet of elephants which had been brought specially from India. Very sadly the King and Queen were assassinated by their son in 2001.

From: Mike Stepney, Stewarton, East Ayrshire  
Subject: My Twenty Minutes with HRH

Hello Tony,

The Japanese Emperor Hirohito died in January 1989.  His funeral took place on 25th February 1989 with upwards of 120+ heads of state/heads of governments/deputy heads of state and members of royal families in attendance.  One of these was HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, who attended on behalf of the Queen. There was considerable opposition to HRH, or any other royal from the UK attending this funeral, given the Japanese atrocities conducted across the Far East during WWII.  However, HRH did attend, and considerable attention was given to his time in Japan by the British press. Much consternation was voiced by the large numbers of ex Japanese POWs in the UK and elsewhere (Australia and New Zealand especially), who also wanted the funeral boycotted.

On the Friday afternoon of the funeral, I was visited in my office at RAF Kai Tak by CRAF HKG.  This timing was rather unusual, and I was wondering what screw-up/upgrade/indulgence or other movements issue I was going to have to sort out however, my concern was misplaced as he proceeded to brief me on a VVIP transiting Hong Kong on the following evening. A QF146 was scheduled into Kai Tak at 22:00hrs for a QTR - refuel and uplift of documents.  On-board would be HRH and his equerry, and I was to be in attendance to ensure that things went smoothly.  There were to be no official Hong Kong dignitaries, or any other military representatives present during the transit.  Also, no details of the VVIP passenger were to be conveyed outside of a small group of need-to-know individuals, as there was concern that, had it become open knowledge that HRH was passing through Hong Kong after attending the emperor’s funeral, it was feared anti-Japanese public demonstrations could ensue; Hong Kong having suffered considerably under almost four years of Japanese rule during the war.

Come the Saturday evening, and right on time, the 146 taxied onto the stand at the refuelling point. The documents from the embassy, which should have arrived by the time the aircraft landed, were still adrift somewhere and I advised this fact to the co-pilot as he disembarked. He was none too pleased, and he left to organize the refuelling activity with the ground handling staff muttering something about movements!  The equerry arrived at the aircraft door and introduced himself and I also advised him of the delay to the document delivery from the embassy; he promptly headed back down the aircraft to advise HRH.  The embassy staff had been given clear instructions and civil airside escorts assigned to lead them to the aircraft.

Shortly thereafter, HRH appeared at the door and asked if he could disembark and stretch his legs!  I was clearly not going to say no and asked him to accompany me to my Land Rover at the front of the aircraft away from the ground handlers and general hubbub around the aircraft.  This he did, and for the next twenty minutes or so we stood talking about the RAF in general, the weather, Hong Kong in particular, Land Rovers and other worldly topics, though nothing was discussed about the funeral!

He was impressed watching the Cathay Pacific Tri-Stars completing their tight right hand turn as they approached the runway and straightened up crossing the piano keys in front of us.  I mentioned that rumour has it that Cathay captains are so used to this approach they do it one hand on the stick and the other holding a can of Tiger beer… that got a laugh!  I found him extremely easy to talk to and with a sense of humour. 

Eventually twenty minutes late, a much-harassed lowly UK embassy clerk arrived at the aircraft with the documents and handed them on-board.  ‘This will be my bedtime reading’ HRH advised, and we headed back to the aircraft. We shook hands and he thanked me for looking after him, and then boarded the aircraft.  The co-pilot having completed the refuel and finding all the tyres present and correct, thanked me for keeping HRH from wandering too far from the aircraft, I looked at my watch and said, ‘another RAF movements on-time departure then’, no comment!  Departure documentation signed off, door closed, engines started, aircraft ready for taxi.

It turned out that the documents that were delivered by the embassy were first edition faxed/telexed front pages of the main UK Sunday papers (no internet in those days), to allow HRH to see what he was going to face on arrival in UK.  HRH was clearly concerned about what the British press were going to publish about his attending this funeral, especially so, given that the Far East ex POWs were adamant that HRH was not to bow or demonstrate any visible sign of honouring the emperor during the funeral.

The 146 departed on time, notwithstanding the late arrival of the documents.  The embassy chappie had a bit of a hissy fit when I told him he had kept HRH and the aircraft waiting for 20 minutes.  I just had to end the evening on another high!

Best regards,

Mike
(First published in OBB #043121)

A BAe 146 of 32 (The Royal) Squadron
From: Duncan Grant, Edinburgh
Subject: VIP Encounters

Tony,

I had two particular VIP events: one in the air in 1969, concerning a Comet 4c of 214 Sqn in the Middle East, and the other involving a Wessex transiting to London from the North West.

For those younger Members they will wish to know that in the halcyon days of the 1960s before budgets had become a swear word and the RAF had many bases East of Suez, the Chief of the Air Staff of the day embarked on a tour of the outposts of the Empire prior to his retirement. The Comet 4c in the full VIP fit was the ideal aircraft for the job.
During the year in question I was a DAMO at RAF Sharjah. RAF Muharraq “up the road” was an important Air Transport Transit stop and had a small number of Argosy’s undertaking schedules from there through to Salalah in Oman. So, anyone off to Sharjah invariably had to rise at Sparrow's F**t to get the schedule, often having propped the bar up in Britannia House Transit the night before if coming from the U.K. as I was, following an Indulgence passage. I was led astray by a mature Sqn Ldr Pilot who for once seemed to appreciate Movers. Maybe I bought the beer? Towards the end of the evening it transpired that we had a common destination the following day - Sharjah. He then offered a seat on his Comet departing 1030 rather than my Argosy departure at 0530! I accepted of course! Once airborne, when I saw the drinks trolley moving forward I thought there must be someone with more clout than me on board. It was the CAS, Sir John Grandy, who naturally enquired as to the nature of my travel. He did not offer me a drink!

Having landed at Sharjah and allowed the CAS to disembark first, the sight of the Movements staff faces was a picture as I followed in the great man’s footsteps having been presumed AWOL as I had not been on that Argosy!

Fast Forward to 1985 when I was OC Tactical Supply Wing where helicopters frequently called for refuelling. On this particular day I received a signal notifying me that a passenger would be transiting on a Wessex of the Queen’s Flight which would require a refuel. Hmm, I thought, so I laid on the necessary back-up should the Wessex go u/s. It did not ! Phew, I thought, soon we’ll soon wave it away. But just before start-up the Captain called me over to say the passenger would like a word. Oh dear, there is a problem after all thinks I.  Wrong! There was King Charles (then Prince of Wales ) sitting in his comfy seat wishing to thank me and the team for the stopover arrangements. Of course being under the rotor blades I had no hat on, so I did not salute. What a gentleman, and an easily arranged royal visit!

Regards,

Duncan

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From: Frank Holmes, Stratford-upon-Avon
Subject: HELP!

Hi Tony,
Stop RAF Scampton Being Turned into a Migrants' Detention Camp
The Conservative Government intend to turn RAF Scampton into an immigration detention centre. This would destroy local plans to create a centre for the future aviation and space industry, generating thousands of jobs. Local plans include a heritage centre to honour Scampton’s proud history as the home of the ‘Dambusters’ 617 Squadron. 

The former RAF Scampton is a historic heritage site. Many of the buildings were built in the 1930s and are listed. In 1943 it was home to Guy Gibson and his famous 617 Sqn which 80 years ago launched the Dambusters Raid from this station. The RAF have recently vacated the site and the local council have publicly outlined plans to turn the station into a heritage and industrial centre. These plans are outlined in more detail here.

This plan is well advanced; by contrast the hastily trailed plan to turn Scampton into an immigrant detention camp appears ill-thought through: The former station’s facilities will not be able to accommodate this massive increase in population resident there given the current state of the accommodation, and the lack of wider facilities (Scampton village has a population of less than 1,000).

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition if you want to highlight your concerns.

Best wishes,

Frank

From: David Bernard, Bicester, Oxon 
Subject: Videos of a time when we had an air force

Hello folks,
Videos of a time when we had an air force
I thought that I would share these videos of a time when we had an air force. Something to watch if you have several hours to spare!

Best Wishes

DB
Royal Air Force Shorts Belfast Operations (1970s)

The last days of the RAF flying boats in Singapore

Air-Head (RAF El-Adem) (1963) 1962-65-02 - Royal Air Force Nostalgia

A Day in the Life of RAF Scampton 1965 - (no sound)

RAF Training Film - Distractions

Routine Adventure in Aden

Addu Atoll Gan 1958 - 1976

Life at RAF GAN, Met Office. Maldives, 1968 (no sound)

RAF Unseen Films

The Building of RAF Gan  (slide show - no sound)
Romanian Female Soldiers
01. Romanian Army
02. Russian Army
Russian female soldier
3. Australian Army
Australian female soldier
04. Greek Army
Greek Female Soldier
05. Israeli Army
Israeli Female Soldiers
06. Pakistani Army
Pakistani Female Soldiers
07. British Army
British Female Soldiers
Polish Female Soldiers
08. Polish Army
Czech Republic Female Soldiers
09. Czech Republic Army
10. U.S. Army
U.S. Female Soldier
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From: Norman Stamper, Torrevieja 
Subject: Re: Warrant Officer (retd) Harry Sutcliffe (RAF)


Dear Tony,

It was a sad day that I received your message on the passing of Harry Sutcliffe.

Harry was not only a great boss to work for but a good friend to me during our posting to Upavon and then subsiquent move to Strike Command, High Wycombe.

Both Gill and I remember him with a smile on his face, not hesitating to join in whatever 'madness'  the Mess Do's threw up, always ready take part, but we also remember him using his 'power' as Senior Mess Member to ensure the Mess Bar stayed open when the Duty Barman wanted to close early to go home! Well done Harry!

Gill and I also remember both Harry and Viv with fondness as good friends enjoying each other's company out on our weekly jaunts, which started with the ladies going to the Pewsey Swimming Pool on a Tuesday evening, leaving Harry and myself at home. Harry then had the bright idea that we two men should go along with them, not to the pool, but to be dropped  off at a pub of our choice and then meeting up with them later and of course also our Saturday nights at the Mess.

With sadness but with very happy memories,

Norman Stamper

This Newsletter is Dedicated
to the Memory of
Harry Sutcliffe (RAF)
Tony Gale
ukmamsoba@gmail.com