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TTEEAAMM BBRRIIEEFF The Official Magazine of the MAMS Association Electronic Issue No 13
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CHAIRMANS NOTES
Firstly may I wish all our readers a Happy New Year and hope you had a good break over the
festive season, recharging those batteries for the year ahead.
Thankfully, the RAF MAMS Association membership continues to be healthy and we have had
a steady influx of new members over the last year. May I say a big thank you to all who
answered my plea in the last issue for more articles for Team Brief, as you will see by this
issue quite a few of you have been put pens to paper (or should I say tapping those Pc’s or
ipads for the more technical minded members). Please continue to supply the Team Brief
Editor JC with those articles.
Over the last few months we have had a few social events which I had the pleasure of
attending. The first was in November with the “64th Annual Movements Officers Reunion in
London”, then the 14th Annual WO & SNCOs Top Table in the Sgt’s Mess at Brize. At this event
I had the honour to be dinned out by the Movements Trade as one of the departing guests,
may I take this opportunity to thank all for a very memorable day and special thanks for Taff
Wood for my departing speech!!
Also in the run up to Christmas we held for the first time, a Meet and Greet at Blunsdon Arms
at lunchtime in Swindon. It proved to be a great success with a vast increase of members
coming out of the woodwork! The popularity of the event can either be due to the venue or
the lunchtime start. The committee have noted this and will look at having similar events in
the future (I believe there are some photos of the event further ahead in this edition. Looking
forward to future events for the year we have various Meet and Greets throughout the year
hopefully like the previous year we will try to hold them in different venues. The big event in
the Associations calendar will be in third weekend in May with the main event being the
Ladies Guest Night in the Sgt Mess on Sat 18 May. Full details of all the Associations and
Movements related events will of course as always be published on the Website, so please
refer for the latest information
We are always looking for willing new blood to join the RAF MAMS Association Committee, so
if you are interested please feel free contact me to find out more details.
My family and I were fortunate enough to have a break between Christmas and the New Year
in Ascension Island. It brought back some good memories whilst relaxing under the glorious
sunshine. Shown below are pictures from English Bay, its featureless landscape unchanged,
except for the adage of wind turbines!!!!!
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English Bay Camp Christmas 1982 English Bay Camp 1983
Shift at Wideawake Airfield early 1983 English Bay Christmas 1996
English Bay New Year’s Day 2013
Keep those articles coming and I hope you enjoy this issue of Team Brief.
Be safe.
Best wishes to everyone
Yours
Tony Geerah
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Membership
Happy New Year to one and all as I clear the cobwebs for my excuse of a brain at the
moment. The best Christmas present for me was the fact that the RAF have finally seen sense
and decided not to send me to Ascension for 6 months but only for 3 months, well done
Manning. Things have been very quiet on the membership front since the last Team Brief. We
have though had Shaun Walker join who is currently serving on 1AMW at Brize Norton, and
an associate member Ex WO1 (ATLO) George Hanks who has retired and is currently living in
Belgium.
The pre Christmas Meet and Greet was a great success at the Blunsdon Arms in Swindon with
some old faces coming out of the wood work. Mark Stedman who has just left the regulars
but still resides in Swindon, Chris James who was last seen practicing as an electrician but
now works for the highways agency and finally Mick Cocker who has returned from
Afghanistan to refurbish a shop in Old Town and open it to sell fishing tackle...something
fishy going on there.
I am off to Ascension shortly but will keep in touch from there.
Rgds
Steve Beaumont
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Sierra Leone Blog
Sgt Andy Pickersgill, ‘D’ Flt, 1AMW.
Walking into Ops to see a task to Sierra Leone was a bit of a change to the normal
tasking. Myself and Cpl Richie Mason were deploying for 10 days, working to aid the
International Military Advisory Training Team (IMATT) providing ‘Movements advice’
to a Battalion of the SL army prior to their upcoming peacekeeping deployment.
Information to exactly what was wanted was a little thin on the ground, we thought
initially we were meant to be assisting them loading aircraft and advising on loading
techniques. This quickly fell through after discovering that Sierra Leona has no Air
Force!!! After a bit of liaising with IMATT we decided to sort out the finer details once
we got there. After an initial delay to the task of a month or so we finally got to go (just
collecting the Visa was interesting as it was!) and sure enough once there the
experience really started.
Arriving at Lunghi international on the Friday we waited for what can only be described
as ‘a while’ for our bags in a small ‘sauna’ before proceeding to the minibus to take us
to the ferry. The ferry turned out to be the old Isle of Wight hovercraft which got us
across the harbour, the Zebra print seats impressing us immensely. We were
collected by an RMP Major from IMATT and that was our arrival sorted.
Saturday saw us taken to the Battalion’s camp a mere 18 miles from our compound,
this did however take a little over an hour due to the state of the roads, the land rover
safari earning it’s money.
We met the camp’s OC and he decided on the spot to nominate a Movements officer,
tasking him to create a MOVCON consisting of 10 officers, ensuring he learned
‘everything’ about movements over the next week! No problem was the reply from Lt
Cdr Juana, and we set to work coming up with what was actually wanted.
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The Battalion was due to deploy by Civair to Kenya and road move from there
carrying out border patrols as part of a UN peacekeeping force. The obvious thing to
teach seemed to be how to carry out an effective MCCP, thereby facilitating a smooth
transition to check in when they deployed.
We worked on a good old PowerPoint presentation to start off with, identifying points
we were going to discuss, including an introduction to Dangerous Goods and
prohibited items. The MOVCON grew rapidly and 60 people turned up for the brief,
however we turned up and discovered a bit of a problem in that the generator had run
out of fuel and there was no money left for more, so no power was available. After a
quick phone call to OC IMATT, funds were put in place and someone was dispatched
for fuel, we got underway. The audience really were enthusiastic, keen to learn as
much as they could. The brief led to plenty of discussion and we discussed putting a
practical element to the training.
We set up a kit prep area and a check in desk, Richie and I did a bit of role play taking
the part of the passengers. We checked in and had our travel docs checked, there
was a bit of animated chatter while it was decided (for paperwork purposes) what type
of aircraft everyone was pretending to fly on, that aside, things progressed without any
hiccups. Moving onto the baggage search, we had both added a few bits and pieces
to hand / hold luggage which required sorting. This resulted in me being severely
rebuked from one individual for having ammo in my Bergan, he definitely took the
training seriously! It was good fun training and everyone seemed to be benefitting.
Once we felt they had learned how to MCCP the training came to a close. Of course
the Battalion OC thanked us for our efforts and asked us to ‘certify’ the training, paving
the way for a presentation morning! We produced and presented everyone with
certificate, which really pleased the guys involved, each one posing for a photo.
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The task really was quite unique, reminding us that once the media attention is over,
as with Sierra Leone, there is always background work still taking part, mentoring and
developing other Nations.
We were finally all finished, we MCCP’d ourselves and headed off to the airport…. of
course not before stopping off to buy tickets at the ferry crossing office, taking the
EXPRESS option…..
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FROM THE 540
By Ian Berry
1968 – 45 YEARS AGO
JANUARY
St Mawgan – Special. Fg Off John Beadman plus 3. Move of torpedoes from
UK
mainland to Ballykelly in Northern Ireland.
RAF BALLYKELLY SHACKLETON “BOMBING UP” WITH TORPEDOES
Winnipeg – Exercise Bright Water. Fg Off John Furney, Plt Off Chris Hyland
plus 4.
Deployment of 1RHA and 1BN Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry
from
UK to Canada.
FEBRUARY
Lisbon – Special. Fg Off Dave Powell plus 5. Recovery of u/s Griffon Aero
Engine
from Portugal and delivery to St Mawgan utilising Argosy Flt 4549.
Benson/Vaerlose – Exercise Arabian Goddess. Plt Off Charles Clark plus 5.
Deployment of Advance party of 2 Div (UK) to Denmark
and
recovery of Advance party of 3Bn Royal Danish Lifeguards
back
to the UK. Argosy Tasks 4253/4/5.
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MARCH
Odiham – Special. FS Al Storey plus 2. Deployment of personnel and
equipment of
230 Sqn (Whirlwind) to Wittering on Argosy Task 4044.
Rygge – Special. Flt Lt J Binns plus 4. Deployment of personnel and
equipment of 4
Sqn (Hunters) from Gutersloh to Norway.
APRIL
Freetown – Exercise Nudge. Flt Lt D Edwards plus 5. Recovery of equipment
of the
Gambia Survey team from Sierra Leone to Luqa, Malta.
Lossiemouth – Exercise Parula. FS Bill Pirie plus 4. Deployment of personnel
and
equipment of 801 RNAS (Buccaneers) from Scotland to El
Adem,
Libya.
1973 – 40 YEARS AGO...
JANUARY
Leeming – Exercise Tigercat. Fg Off Tony Willis, FS Tony Barrell, Sgt Bob
Turner,
Cpl Norman Poole, SACs Boot Pratt & Jim Marchant. Deployment
of 48
Sqn RAF Regt (Tigercat Missiles) from RAF Catterick to Cyprus.
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TIGERCAT MISSILE LAUNCHER
Fairford – Special. Fg Off Brian Clucas, FS Taff Thomas, Sgt Ivan Gervais, Cpl
Tommy Blues, SAC Bob Ford. Deployment of ACHE from Abingdon
to
Fairford and then loading Britannia and Belfast aircraft in support of
Concorde 002 Trials.
FEBRUARY
Khartoum – Red Cross Task. Flt Lts Gordon Townsend & Gerry Keyworth. FS
Bob
Hope, Sgts Dave Wright and DK Henderson, Cpls Geordie
Sanderson &
Jimmy Jones, SAC Dave Moss plus 1. Onmove of Red Cross
relief
supplies from Khartoum to Juba in the Sudan.
Odiham – Exercise Hardfall. Fg Off Alistair Gallaugher, FS Chas Dalgleish, Sgt
Tony
Pyne, SACs Hugh Curran & Troop Smith. Deployment of 4 Wessex
Helicopters to Sola in two Belfast aircraft.
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MARCH
Atar – Fg Off Steve Richmond, Sgt Dave Barton & SAC Ian Bell. Recovery of
Joint
Services Expedition from Mauritania back to UK.
Darwin – Exercise Sunray. Fg Off Tim Leaning, FS Dave Eggleton, JT Ted
Moore &
SAC Jim Barr. Recovery of personnel and freight of 50 Sqn
(Vulcans) from
Australia to UK.
APRIL
Kai Tak/ Kathmandu – Brigloc. Sgt Ross McKerron, Cpl Ian Berry, JT Gordon
Gourdie & SAC Bob Tring (Hong Kong), Flt Lt Gus
Hatter &
FS Ken Browne (Nepal). Rotation of Ghurkha troops
and
families between Hong Kong and Nepal.
Belize – FS Dave Barton, Cpl George Lynes & SAC Mac Maclean. Rotation of
RAF
Regt landrovers between Catterick and Belize.
1978 – 35 YEARS AGO...
JANUARY
Coningsby – Exercise Ferry Boat. Fg Off Mike Thomas, FS Bert Wilford, Sgt
Bernhardt, Cpl Gus Cobb, SAC Colin Pay plus 1. Deployment of
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Sqn (Phantoms) from UK to Luqa, Malta.
McClellan AFB – Special. Sgt Mick Day plus 2. Rotation of Sparrow Missile
Rocket
Motors.
Fg Off Andy Spinks relieved Fg Off Chris Burnell on Fire Fighting Duties at RAF Locking
with effect from 9 Jan 78 to enable the latter to carry out a pre-planned detachment to
Hong Kong. Fire fighting duties ceased with effect from 19 Jan 78 and both Flt Lt
Fellows and Fg Off Spinks returned to the squadron on that date.
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FEBRUARY
Woomera – Special. Fg Off Dick Leonard plus 2. Handling/support of VC10 Flt
2247 at Woomera and Edinburgh Field in Australia.
Beef Island – Exercise Greentops. Fg Off Vernon Jones plus 5. Recovery of
TCW
and 30 Sigs Regt after Comms exercise in the Bahamas.
MARCH
Lajes – Special. Sgt Gerry Meijer, Cpl Hugh Curran plus 2. Recovery of pax
and
freight of 27 Sqn (Vulcan) from the Azores to Scampton.
Guernsey – Special. Sgt Bob Turner plus 2. Collection of oil dispersant
equipment
from Exeter and delivery to the Channel Islands for use against
the oil
spillage from the MV Amoco Cadiz.
OIL SPILLING FROM THE WRECK OF AMOCO CADIZ OFF THE BRITANNY COAST
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APRIL
Masroor – Special. Fg Off Ron Turley, Sgts Gerry Meijer & Bob Turner, Cpl
Hugh
Curran, SAC Martin Gledhill plus 1. Deployment of personnel and
freight
of 13 Sqn (Canberras) from Malta to Karachi, Pakistan.
Villa Franca – Exercise Dedicated Defence. Flt Lt Geoff Elliott, FS Keith
Davies, Sgt
Terry Titterington, Cpl Ivan Vienneu, SACs Ian Newlands &
Bruce
Oram. NATO squadron exchange. 28 Gruppo IAF (F104
Starfighter)
from Italy to Bruggen and 17 Sqn (Phantom) from Germany to
Italy.
1983 – 30 YEARS AGO...
JANUARY
Stanley – VVIP Special. Deployment of Special caravan for use by the Rt Hon
Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister on first visit to the Falkland
Islands
Nairobi – Exercise Larch Pole/Strident Call. Fg Off John Buchanan, FS Gordon
Grey, Sgt Tony Searle plus 3. Rotation of infantry Units between
Kenya
and UK.
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WO Sam Heaphy, having been relieved as Deputy ACO by WO Ivan Gervais, is
appointed to take over duties of Acting Training and Standardisation Officer from WO
Reg Carey who is shortly to retire from the Service.
FEBRUARY
Key West – Exercise Western Fox. Fg Off Kettell plus 5. Deployment of
personnel
and freight of 12 Sqn (Tornados) from Lossiemouth to Florida
Keys.
Jever – Exercise Bold Guard. Fg Off Colin Waitt plus 5. Deployment of 6 Sqn
(Jaguars) from Coltishall to Germany.
The Movements world, and the squadron in particular, felt shocked at the sudden death
of FSgt Charlie Grant at his home locally. FS Grant served both as a SNCO i/c Mobile
Team and as a SNCO i/c Base Shift B. The coffin was borne by fellow squadron SNCOs
for the funeral service at RAF Brize Norton on 10th
February followed by a cremation at
Oxford.
MARCH
Patrick AFB – Exercise Trial Lobby. Fg Off Graham Howard, FS Terry Roberts,
Cpl
Sully Sullivan plus 3. Royal Navy torpedo trials in Andros.
Lisbon – Exercise Night Echo. Fg Off Mark Attrill plus 2. Deployment of UK
Troops
from 1Br Corps in Germany to Portugal.
Fg Off Jed Allen (Mobile Team Leader K) appointed Training & Standardisation Officer.
This appointment had been covered by the D/TSO (WO Sam Heaphy) since the
departure of Flt Lt Sean Culligan in Oct 81 on pre-retirement leave, due to the lack of a
suitably qualified officer to fill the post.
APRIL
Benbecula – RA Ranges. Fg Off Mark Vincenti, Sgt Hugh Curran plus 4.
Deployment of 15 Sqn RAF Regt to the Hebrides from
Lossiemouth
and recovery of 16 AD Regt RA from the Hebrides to Germany
during
rotation of Rapier Missile Units.
Coltishall – Taceval 2. Sqn Ldr Chas Cruse plus 8. Support to Brize Norton’s
taceval
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by receiving outload ammunition loads. Downloaded ammo
returned by
Road.
1988 – 25 YEARS AGO...
JANUARY
Bardufoss/Evenes – Exercise Winter deployment. Fg Offs Rod Stone & Steve
Harvey, FSgts Martyn Skelton & Jim Cunningham, SACs
Bobble Roberts & Andy Walters. Deployment of Royal
Marines
to Norway from UK.
Lossiemouth – Mineval. Flt Lt Simon Fletcher, Sgt Shug Shewan & Cpl John
Belcher. Deployment to Scotland as part of Lyneham Mineval.
FEBRUARY
Waddington – Taceval. Fg Off Mark Stephenson, Sgt Steve Munday, Cpl Tim
Pyne
& John Kerswill, SACs John Newton & Lex Barker. Deployment
as
part of Taceval.
Bardufoss – Exercise Arrowhead Express. Sqn Ldr David Thompson, FS
Martyn
Skelton, Sgt Colin Hawson, Cpl John Kerwsill, Paul Wilson, Steve
Grimshaw, Dixie Dean, John Farrelly & Bobble Roberts. UK
Movements
Support to an IALCE exercise in Norway.
MARCH
Cape Canaveral – Exercise Deep Effort. Flt Lt Dave Lester-Powell, FS Dave
Allen,
Sgt Ian Wilkinson, Cpls Ian Ralph & Phil Ingham & John
Belcher.
Positioning in Florida for Tigerfish Torpedo Trials.
China Lake - ALARM Trials. Fg Off Mark Stephenson, FS Don Milburn, Sgt
Ash
Ladva (MAMS Eng), Sgt John Cockrem, Cpl Tim Pyne & SAC
Lex
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Barker. Deployment of pax and freight of Tornado OEU for
missile
trials.
APRIL
Jerez – Special. FS Martyn Skelton, Sgt Phil Smith & Cpl Paul Rackley (MAMS
Eng).
Recovery of elements of Nimrod Det from Spain to Kinloss.
Edmonton – Exercise Maple Flag. Fg Off Mark Stephenson, Cpl Tim Pyne,
SACs
Joe Wilkes, Spike Maris, Steve Gardiner & Pete Cole.
Deployment of 3
& 4 Sqn (Harriers) from Germany to Canada.
1993 – 20 YEARS AGO...
VERY LITTLE INFORMATION TO BE GLEANED FROM THIS PERIOD OF THE 540...
JANUARY
Mombasa – Operation Vigour. FSgts Alec Simpson & Douggie Betambeau,
Cpl Al
Stacey plus 8. Movements support to Herc Det operating into
Somalia.
FEBRUARY
Bari/Aviano – Operation Deny Flight. Roulement of 8 Sqn (E3 AWACs) and
resupply
to HMS Ark Royal.
Tacoma – Exercise Trumpet Dance. Deployment of 7 Ghurkha Rifles to Fort
Lewis
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for Infantry Battle Group Training.
MARCH
Benbecula – RA Ranges. Deployment of tracked rapier from Germany to
Hebrides
Ranges for Live shooting.
On the 12
th March the UKMAMS Officers, WOs and SNCOs held a Dining-In night in the Sgts
Mess. The evening was attended by OC UKMAMS, Wg Cdr RG Williams, 14 Officers, 18 WOs
and SNCOs and Mr Terry Roberts, WO Retd and ex D/ACO. Farewells were said to Flt Lt
Andy Thomsom, ex OC STF, posted to RAF Coltishall as OC SCAF; WO Colin Allen, ex TSO
posted to the RAF Movements School and FS Ray Ralph, ex MAMS Ops posted to Ascension
Island.
APRIL
Bahrain – Special. Flt Lt Cumberland, FS Floyd Paterson, Sgt “Pinky” Salmon,
Cpl
Sandy Sanderson, SAC Simon Clarke plus 1. Collection of
racehorses
from the Gulf to UK on a Tristar KC1.
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1998 – 15 YEARS AGO...
JANUARY
Yuma – Exercise Hammer Fist. Fg Off Kane, FS Doug Betambeau, SACs
Hartley &
Mansfield. Recovery of 4 Sqn (Harriers) from Arizona to Wittering.
Split – Operation Lodestar. Flt Lt Arnold, FS Pete Polidano, Cpl Blythe, SAC
Dax
Mellor. Rotation of UK troops from Teeside (Catterick Garrison) to
Bosnia.
FEBRUARY
Ali Al Salem – Operation Bolton. Flt Lt Damien Alexander, FSgts Tim Pyne,
Steve
Gelder, Floyd Patterson, Jim Buchanan, Sgts Neil Baldock, Ian
Noakes, Steve Burke, Cpls Blythe, Clarke, Butcher, Lishman,
Hallatt,
Padam, SACs Spara Brooksby, Hartley, Brunell, Holtam,
Rainer,
Tobin & Whitworth. Deployment of Tornado Sqn to Kuwait in
support
of Southern “No-Fly” Zone in Iraq.
Beja – Exercise Strong Resolve. Flt Lt Ling, FS Jim Buchanan, Sgt Mick
Cocker,
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SAC Walke. Recovery of 12 Sqn (Tornados) and Fleet Clearance Diving
team
from Portugal to UK.
MARCH
Tromso – Exercise Strong Resolve. Flt Lt Gary Norman, FS Tim Pyne, Sgt
Martin
Hughes, Cpl Clarke. Redeployment of SF Units within Norway.
Norfolk NAS – Exercise Tartan Eagle. Flt Lt Curry, Cpl MacDowell, SAC Baldy
(RAuxAf). Deploy elements of 40 Cdo RM to USA and recovery
of
USMC to Edinburgh as part of unit exchange.
APRIL
Curacao – Special. FS Al Salisbury, Cpls Thomson & Southwood. Recovery of
antenna from HMS Newcastle in Dutch Antilles and recover to UK.
El Paso – Exercise Roving Sands. Sgt Hoss Wall, Cpls Thomson & Blythe.
Deployment of elements of 22 Regt RA to Fort Biggs, Texas.
2003 – 10 YEARS AGO...
FEBRUARY
China Lake – Exercise Storm Shadow. Sgt Mackay, SAC Pauler & LAC
Hamilton
(Both 4624 RAuxAf). Deployment of Storm Shadow missiles to
US
Test range.
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Al Kharj – Operation Telic. Sgt Campbell, Cpl Smith, SAC Squibb. Deployment
of
Weatherhaven Shelters in support of detachment in Saudi Arabia.
MARCH
Freetown – Operation Keeling. FS Ian Dixon, Cpl Clare Marshall, SACs
Eastaugh &
Jones. Resupply to Units in Sierra Leone.
Cherry Point – Exercise Casson Falcon. FS Steve Joyce, SACs Carter &
Biddle
(Both 4624 RAuxAf). Movements support to Falklands Air
Defence
Demonstration.
FALKLANDS – INITIAL BRIEFING BEFORE FIRING
RAPIER AIR DEFENCE SIMULATOR
APRIL
Prestwick – Operation Telic. Sgt Cam Paterson, SACs Tucker & Johnston.
Positioning of 2 x Triple pallets at Prestwick for onload of Storm
Shadow
Missiles.
Calgary – Exercise Medman. FS Duncan Andrews, Sgt Nixon, SACs Mileham
& Dix.
Rotation of UK Battlegroups between Germany and Canada.
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JADTEU
The Joint Air Delivery Test & Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) is based at RAF Brize
Norton and is a Tri Service unit commanded by Lt Col. It compromises of the
following sections Airportability, Personal Parachute Test Team, Air Despatch,
Helicopter Section and the Training section.
The Airportability (AP) section is commanded by a Sqn Ldr consisting of 17
movement’s personnel, 1 engineering officer and 3 civilian staff. Thought to be
a sleepy hollow of the Trade could not be more wrong. Tasking is extremely
high with many Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) equipment and
vehicles arriving at short notice with limited time to complete the clearance and
produce the Tie Down Note (TDN) or Tie Down Scheme (TDS) to get that
equipment into theatre. Engineers are now heavily involved in the trials
process as ratings for all attachment points have to be supplied and a
certificate of airworthiness produced prior to the trials officer being able to
issue the TDN/TDS. The rest of the trial is the same as it has always been,
lashing the equipment in and then measuring angles and taking measurement,
before entering the results into the magic laptop which will then tell you if you
have passed or failed and by how much. As with everything these days it’s
then a matter of collating all the relevant paperwork for evidence which not only
ensures everything is legal but to benefit trials officers in the future if that piece
of equipment returns at a later date. The format of the TDN/TDS has changed
little but there is now a standard template to ensure that over all aircraft types
there is continuity in the layout and the wording.
Within AP is now the A400M team who with their new high fidelity Cargo Hold
Mock Up (CHMU) are plodding through the Cargo Load data Base (CLDB)
containing 650 items, to clear as many items as possible prior to the aircraft
entering service in September/October 2014. With the substantial amount of
UOR’s passing through JADTEU the opportunity is also taken, time permitting
to get theses items trialled on the A400M. When the aircraft comes into service
the A400M team will integrate into AP improving the overall manpower within
the section.
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JADTEU AP Section is on permanent 24 hrs standby to deploy the NATO
Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) to anywhere in the world. Going into
theatre is a regular occurrence to move the Rough Terrain Container Handler
(RTCH) which is JADTEU move only and to recover battle damaged
equipment required to be recovered to the UK. The opportunities to deploy on
routes around the world are few and far between these days, due to the current
financial climate and availability of frames.Recent tasks within AP have been a
selection of security vehicles for Op Olympic, several items for the new Air To
Air
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Tanker replacement the ‘Voyager’ (A330) including the ACU, De-Icing Truck,
Toilet and water truck. There was also the Foxhound which was a UOR task,
one of the many new vehicles being deployed into theatre and essential for
current operations being undertaken there. There is no doubt that the AP
section is extremely busy with all Trials Officers having a minimum of 5 – 10
tasks running concurrently.
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On the A400M side there has been the Typhoon fuselage with a proxy
undercarriage, items from voyager as with AP, and the Terrier armoured
vehicle. The Terrier was particularly important as this is the No 1 item on the
CLDB and the reason the UK A400M has a strengthened floor. This is due to
the Terrier being approximately 30,000 Kgs with a linear loading weight of
approximately 8,500 Kgs per linear meter therefore exceeding the 6,000 Kgs
per linear meter limit of the common standard floor. The UK strengthened floor
can carry a tracked vehicle weighing 9,300 Kgs per linear meter in the
strengthened part of the main floor.
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It’s not all work and no play, there are several expeditions arranged by all
sections throughout the year and there is also the JADTEU golf society. More
relevant to AP section, they put a team in for the Dave Wall Golf this year
doing quite well but failing to bring any prizes home. As a section there is a big
biking fraternity. They take part in the London to Brighton charity bike ride
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yearly raising money for the British Heart Foundation. There is also the yearly
Coast to Coast bike ride which is a unit expedition, but is predominantly
organised by and attended by the AP Section.
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MY LIFE IN THE ARMY AND THE RAF
By
George Hanks
1. Mar 62 – Jan 66. No 1 Strategic Reserve Movement Control Squadron,
Wilton.
Sep 62 – Feb 63. ATLO, RAF Colerne working with Hastings.
The only soldier “living-in” on the base and just promoted to Lcpl. I was also
the only JNCO in the cpl’s Club with one stripe and that caused a bit of a
fuss as JTs (one inverted stripe) were not JNCOs and could not be
members. It was the terrible winter of 62/63 and I was involved in delivering
emergency rations to the families of those aircrew stranded elsewhere due
to the adverse weather conditions. Much to my surprise I was sent a letter
of thanks by the station Commander.
2. Mar 65 – Jan 66 I was detached to ATLO RAF Benson where my job was
preparing tie down plans for Army vehs on Argosys.
3. Feb 65 I was posted to SABC Singapore based at Changi and was the
RAF/Army rep (Cpl) at Paya Lebar civil airport (British Eagle air trooping). I
was the youngest Cpl in the Cpl’s Club and served as Army/Entertainments
member. I was also a member of Changi Theatre Club (where I was tricked
into directing a play at the ripe old age of 21) and the Go – Kart Club. I was
posted to 131 Flt RCT at Wildenrath as Chief Clerk Aug 68 as Sgt. I was
promoted to Sgt five weeks before leaving Changi and I walked into Sen
Foo Tailors as a Cpl and out as a Sgt 5 mins later!!! I worked 24 hours on
and 48 off for two and half years and it was certainly the best time I had in
my 23 years in the Army.
4. Once again on an RAF base (Wildenrath) although with Army aviation. A
member of the Little Theatre Club and entertainments member of the Sgt’s
Mess.
5. Jan 71 – Jan 72. I was the Gulf Movements Finance Clerk
With Joint Movements Staff Bahrain. Due to the pending closure of the
base I was underworked and use dto help out at RAF Marraqa. I was one of
the last 12 pers left there (last British Force Bahrain) to close it.
6. Mar 72 – late 74. I served with 500 Mobile Movements Troop RCT, BAOR
(SSgt) were I did detachments to France, Denmark, Norway, Canada and
Cyprus (RAF Akrotiri Port).
7. Would you believe it I was posted to 29 MC Regt RCT at South Cereny but
went straight to ATLO RAF Brize Norton. Four months later I was promoted
to WOII and moved to the Regt’L HQ as WO/Ops.
8. July 77. Promoted to WOI and posted to British Army training Unit Suffied,
Canada. My post was Mov/WOI and I was very involved with Calgary
airport and MAMS . During the winter there was little movement of troops
and it was mostly freight that was handled. I used to supervise the handling
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of the VC10/HERC which upset one or two MAMS officers who did not like
the idea of the army doing that. My reaction to that was to say that we were
all in the same job. Then came the day of reckoning when a VC10 arrived
and the MAMS team was nowhere to be seen. I briefed the VC Capt. and
told him that the MAMS team had been delayed and due to arrive shortly.
The MAMS officer (who did not like my powers)(to me responsibilities) finally
arrived looking very embarrassed and was amazed when I told him that I
had dealt with the situation. Why “had I not dropped him in it” he asked
later, to which I replied “I am a senior WOI and would not dream of dropping
a colleague in it!” What would I have achieved? Nothing! We became good
friends and I wonder if that Flt Lt will read this and remember me? The
reason I tell you this, is because I always believed in Joint Movements and
worked with many MAMS teams and ATLOs. I never once met a MAMS
team that did not give of their best. Just one more comment! I never liked
the use of the word “Boss” and to me officers were SIR as I was to my
subordinates. They say that “familiarity breeds contempt but I have to admit
I never saw any evidence of that with MAMS teams.
9. Dec 79 – Jun 82 HQ RCT ANTWERP, Belgium.
Aug 82 – Jan 84 HQ SW District, Bulford
Mar 84 Retired. THE END
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Subject: UKMAMS ASSOCIATION John, I have forwarded your email to DLP, although he will only be at Shrivenham for a short time now before he leaves the Service on redundancy. Hope that you are well; I took over at AIR this Jul. It was a few years ago when we were on the same team together with Frank, but I'm not sure that we ended up doing any tasks together! Anyway.... All the best. Tony Group Captain Tony Vine
From: Sam Heaphy
Hi John,
Thank you for your info regarding the brief. I really enjoyed it.
thanks again mate sam
From: David Stevens
Subject: Team Brief
Hey John I wrote you before I opened the Team Brief. Congratulations on a masterful
production and very interesting!!! Video good but boy, service people have no chance 'treading
the boards' - almost a complete lack of animation - the staion commander especially - he
missed a golden opportunity here to sell!!............lol Just my view you understand.
Still, each to their own........... Brilliant production - The Team Brief - I mean. Thanks David
Hi John
Congratulations on a first class edition of Team Brief. Especially liked the Aden memories
from Dick LLoyd. The good looking SAC beside Tommy Thompson in the photo on page 41 is
none other than my good self. I have racked my brain to try and remember the names of the
other Not Knowns and whilst their faces look familar I cannot place them. Jim Brett was my
shift Cpl and I also worked for about 9 months in Load Control along with Dave Allen and Tony
Last.
Regards
Colin Allen
42
Hello John, As interesting as I find the various issues of theMAMS bulletins, I often think that the general tone is somewhat retroactive and this is, of course, as it should be for an association of serving and former RAF movers. However, from the perspective of readers like myself who served from 1964-69 and have largely been away from the UK getting on for half a century (does that seem as ancient as it seems to me on the re-reading?) I have often wondered about the new generation of "movers" relative to the "wrinklies." Would it be possible, I wonder, to have an article or two on what it's like to be a "mover" in today's RAF? Certainly, learning a little of how the trade is presently structured, the seemingly continuing trend of relying on civilian/auxiliary staff and the lack of opportunities for overseas service now that several decades have gone past since the Empire contracted. What are their living conditions like now especially in the context of the old five to a room accommodations we were accustomed to in the olden days although the takeover from the USAF of Brize Norton was certainly an education on how the other half could live. I think I've given the general gist of my thoughts; do you think there would be any general reader interest in this? In any event, thanks for taking the time to consider the matter. Kind regards, Terry Bell
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Ex JOINT WARRIOR 12 – No. 1 Air Mobility Wing
With Defence firmly focused on Afghanistan and Iraq over the last decade or so, many
contingent capabilities have understandably taken a back seat. This is equally true of 16 Air
Assault Brigade who are now refocusing the Airborne Task Force (ABTF) training to meet post-
Op HERRICK requirements, such as Rapid Air Landings (RAL). RALs are part of a package of
aggressive airfield landings of combat troops, fighting vehicles and equipment into potentially
hostile territory, typically on a C130 aircraft. This is exactly the kind of key skill No.1 Air
Mobility Wing (1 AMW) are here to deliver; using our unique blend of air movements
expertise and enhanced military preparedness we assessed our skill sets and re-generated the
tactical air landing training package, loading it with two teams of movers. Having completed
10 days of dry runs on a static C130, the team went on to do dry drills with 5 Scots, part of the
current ABTF before conducting live RAL serials with 3 Para at RAF Brize Norton. Below is a
short sample of the variety of air movements work and level of Army co-operation 1 AMW is
increasingly involved in. As we look beyond Afghanistan and reset for the next challenge, 1
AMW will be ready to deliver a force whenever and wherever required.
Flt Lt Matt Beauchamp – OC E Flt, Mobile Air Movements Sqn
On a sunny Friday in Spring, 17 personnel from 1 AMW deployed to Prestwick Airfield near
Glasgow to set up a Mobile Air Movements detachment in preparation for the launch of an
airborne assault. According to the scenario, a “hostile” airfield would be seized, and then
used as a launch pad for further offensive action deeper into enemy-held territory. Once the
airfield was captured, a smaller team of 4 movers went forward to the Forward Operating
Base at West Freugh in order to pull in further supplies, while those that remained at
Prestwick acted as an Air Port of Disembarkation and prepared and despatched whatever was
required.
Over the 6-day exercise all ranges of payload were processed and despatched onto two
C130Js. Once the Pathfinders and Paras had conducted an airdrop onto the target, 5 Scots,
ably assisted by 1AMW, carried out a rapid assault utilising the RAL method of delivery with
Infantry, CVRTs and WMIKs being deployed, before a range of resupply was sent forward. This
ranged from 6 Ton Trucks to JCBs and from Land Rovers to Pinzgauers. Owing to the pace
required and limited frames, aircraft turn rounds were exceptionally fast, with almost every
on-load and offload completed with engines running, a great way to concentrate the mind.
44
Keen to enhance Anglo – French relations, 1 AMW also helped to prepare several loads for
French Air Force (FAF) Transvaal C160 aircraft working in conjunction with RAF aircraft. This
required our troops to learn to use the various FAF loading equipment aids and techniques. A
great deal was gained from this rare opportunity, especially by the younger members who
had never had the chance to work with foreign military aircrew before. During the week, all
members of 1 AMW consolidated new skills and brushed up on older ones. All were pushed
to their limits, with cargo and vehicles turning up all through the night, usually unprepared for
travel by air. Nevertheless, with some hard and frantic work in a short space of time, all
required loads were corrected, loaded and sent on their way.
At the end of a hugely successful week, 1 AMW lived up to their motto: “first in, last out”.
Having set up the operating airhead before any other personnel had arrived at Prestwick
Airfield, 1 AMW loaded the final C130J and waved goodbye to Scotland. A hard but
rewarding 6 days that had demonstrated once again the value of live training for all involved.
SAC Leighton James - E Flt, Mobile Air Movements Sqn.
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Episode 3 of my Mobile saga
JOHN CONDUIT's UKMAMS TASKS 1989
Dates Route Aircraft Team Task
From To
24 Jan 90 24 Jan 90 Lyneham-Gatow-Lyneham Herc FO Flint, FS Breithaupt, Sgt Frewin, SAC’s Wark, Murphy
25 Jan 90 8 Feb 90 Lyneham-Gander-Homestead-
Gander-Dulles-Scott AFB-Belize-Kingston-Belize-Dulles-Lyneham
Herc Sgt Frewin, SAC Wark Started off as a frame change in Homestead,
Went a bit mad after that
17 Feb 90 19 Feb 90 Lyneham-St Johns-Boston-
Lyneham Herc SAC Ferguson
27 Feb 90 2 Mar 90 Lyneham-Lajes-Marham-Brize Herc/Tristar SAC’s Butler, O’Neil
8 Mar 90 13 Mar 90 Lyneham-Gander-Bermuda-Grand Turk-Port of Spain-
Bermuda-Lyneham Herc
PO Licence, SAC’s Wark, Roberts, Reader, Loach
20 Mar 90 21 Mar 90 Wittering Road FS Breithaupt, SAC’s Roberts,
Wark
27 Mar 90 28 Mar 90 Tac Demo Herc Various
47
30 Mar 90 30 Mar 90 Lyneham-Twenthe-Wattisham-
Lyneham Herc
Cpl Harvey, Cpl West, SAC Wark
2 Apr 90 2 Apr 90 Brize-Edinburgh-Brize TriStar SAC’s Wark, Reader
3 Apr 90 4 Apr 90 Tac Demo Herc Various
6 Apr 90 6 Apr 90 Lyneham-Bardufos-Lyneham Herc FS Breithaupt, SAC Wark
14 Apr 90 21 Apr 90 Lyneham-Goose Bay-Offut-Las
Vegas-Lincoln AFB-Griffiss AFB-Goose Bayr Lyneham
Herc FO Flint, Cpl Howard
28 Apr 90 28 Apr 90 Lyneham-Coltishall-Sembach-
Lyneham Herc Cpl Howard, SAC Wark
29 Apr 90 2 May 90 Lyneham-Gander-Eglin-Gander-
Lyneham Herc
FO Dainton, Cpl Whitton. Cpl Amies, SAC’s Metcalfe, Smith
11 May 90 11 May 90 Lyneham-Wildenrath-Vaerlose-
Lyneham Herc FS Breithaupt,
14 May 90 17 May 90 Brize-Griffiss AFB-Albuquerque-
Grifiss AFB-Brize VC10
FS Breithaupt, FS Wilson, SAC Roberts
48
19 May 90 20 May 90 Lyneham-Lossiemouth-Gibraltar-
Lyneham Herc
FO Woodward, SAC’s Gash, Ferguson
30 May 90 31 May 90 Lyneham-Honnington-Lyneham Herc Various
8 Jun 90 18 Jun 90 Lyneham-Keflavik-Goose Bay-
Calgary-Gander-Brize Herc/TriStar
S/L Hewat, FO Harrington, Cpl Harvey, Cpl Brown, SAC’s
Walker, Mooney
27 Jun 90 1 Jul 90 Lyneham-Akrotiri-Lyneham Herc +12 Exercise
6 Jul 90 8 Jul 90 Manston Road SAC’s Risk, Latham
10 Jul 90 16 Jul 90
Lyneham-Keflavik-St Johns-Winnipeg-Fairchild-New Orleans-
Nassau-Grand Turk-Roosevelt Roads-Bermuda-Lyneham
Herc F/L Higgins Trainer
27 Jul 27 Jul Lyneham-Odiham-Lyneham Road/Herc FO Flint, FS Breithaupt
1 Aug 90 2 Aug 90 Wattisham Road Various
12 Aug 90 7 Sep 90 Brize-Akrotiri-Thumrait-Akrotiri-Sigonella-Brussells-Lyneham
VC10/Herc Various Op Granby
49
14 Sep 90 22 Sep 90 Tac Demo Herc Various
25 Sep 90 30 Oct 90 Lyneham-Gander-Patrick AFB-Cape Canaveral-Andros (Lots)-
Gander-Lyneham Herc
FS Wilson, SAC’s Neat, Lockett
20 Nov 90 20 Nov 90 Lyneham-Leuchars-Nice-
Lyneham Herc
FS Parkin, Cpl Darling, SAC Tremain
22 Nov 90 27 Nov 90 Lyneham-Benbecula-Wildenrath-
Lyneham Herc F/L Barth, + 4 Aux
17 Dec 90 17 Dec 90 Lyneham-Sembach-Lyneham Herc F/L Higgins, SAC Fowler
21 Dec 90 24 Dec 90 Brize-Athens-Dharan-Athens-
Lyneham DC8/707 FO Dunn, Cpl Gidney Op Granby
50
ASSOCIATION LADIES GUEST NIGHT
The association will be holding a Ladies Guest night
Where RAF Brize Norton Sgt’s Mess
When Saturday 18 May 2013 1900 onwards
Dress Ladies-Cocktail Dress Gents-Suit/Lounge Jacket
Cost £30 per head (this has already been subsidised £10 per head by
the association)
This will be a Carvery
Please arrange your own transport
The association may also hold a Meet & Greet on the Friday 17 May, also at
RAF Brize Norton, this will probably be in the “Swamp”
In the first instance please email the following information to our Treasurer
Names of those wanting to attend the Ladies Guest Night
Names of those wanting to attend the Meet & Greet
I look forward to seeing a few old friends on the night
All the best
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