RAOC Gazette - page 67
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1980 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1980 |
| Late date | 1980 |
| Transcription |
fifty kilometre escape and evasion exercise at night. Even though Corporal Adge Bowser was too keen (having been here only two and a half days) to get blood blisters on top of raw skin, the team came in first, led by the bionic legs of Major Noh de Foubert (S02 Ord (Air)), whilst the ever keen Corporal Bowser came up the rear shouting religious incantations when over the finish line. Rather strange how the aches and pains suddenly disappeared on collection of a crate of beer for the winners. The S02 Ord (Air) and his Second-in-Command, Staff Sergeant George Mathers paid a flying visit (sorry about the pun!) to 7 Flight AAC in Berlin. The S02 taking his wife along to make up the numbers. After sorting out all the problems in the system a good time was had by all. The remnant of S02 Ord (Air) Branch is now recovering from near strangulation by the umbilical cords of all the phones, and blisters from writing. To end we would like to wish all our colleagues and dependants Happy New Year (with no problems). 9 REGIMENT AAC. The FAACO NCOs are Staff Sergeant Chris Ryan and Sergeant Paddy Long, who between them supply the spares for twenty four Army Aircraft of varying types. A difficult job at the best of times made more difficult by the introduction of the High Speed High Powered Lynx Helicopter. Both SNCOs are often seen Burning the Midnight Oil and burbling about dropping their Kalamazoos from the first air- craft that manages to fly. I'm sure they're really only joking as they still manage a smile every time Staff Sergeant George Mathers talks about his ' Overstretch' and his eight and a half hour working day at S02 Ord (Air) Branch! Times are hectic at the moment with above average Flying commitments, exercises, ' Crash Outs' etc. We can also look back on a successful Northern Ireland tour and look forward to yet another Christmas tour next year. Two Christmases out of three can't be bad. (RAOC Records please note!!) (My number is 239 87 . . . . ) . Staff Sergeant Chris Ryan is to be congratulated on his recent promotion and looks forward to his move down the road to 4 ADOC in the New Year. What other RAOC organisation can boast fifty per cent promotions and postings in one fell swoop? The presentation by the DAAC of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to Sergeant P. J. Long has highlighted an eventful month. We would like to take this opportunity in wishing our col- leagues a happy and prosperous New Year. A HOME of your OWN? Is this Your Problem? I cannot f i n d you a House b u t I can HELP Y o u Buy I t . Let me Advise You w i t h o u t any Obligation, w h e t h e r you w i s h t o Buy N o w or In the Future. Why Not Consult Doug Cilmour (Insurance Broker) "Green Hedges", 7 Lindsay Road, Branksome Park, POOLE, Dorset Telephone: 0202 764043 Specialist in Life Assurance, Investment and House Purchase Plans j Name-/Rank Address Date of Birth Occupation I am interested In House Purchase /Immediate/ Future / School Fees -^•••••••^^^^•^•^•^^^••^••^^•iM^^^. 2 AIRCRAFT SUPPORT UNIT. On the departure side. we say farewell to Captain Pitchforth, who, after the pressures of the aircraft world has gone to the serenity (?) of the VSD at Kinnegar. Hot on his heels went Lance Corporal Brian Hutchings who has gone on a four month detachment to 3 MSD. Also joining in the exodus from Wetmold—sorry— Detmold(!) were Sergeant Graham Whittington who has returned to ' steam ' Ordnance at DSM, Technical Division, Donnington, Private George Turnbull who somehow managed to obtain an inter BAOR posting and is now with the Combat Supplies Battalion at Paderborn. Our last departure was the inimitable Private Nev Stewart who has returned to UK. Welcomes are extended to our new OC Captain Curtis who joins us from Donnington (we had trouble convincing him that he had joined a tour with an Aircraft Workshop and not a safari when mention was made of Scouts, Gazelles, and Lynxes), Sergeant Jonah Jones from 1 Regiment AAC and Private Nick Gore from the Apprentices College. We wish them happy tours and application forms for entry to the psychiatric wing of Woolwich Hospital. Corporals Mick Kennedy, Ian Cass and Pete Brown have successfully passed the RAF 4/72 VDU Operators Course and now have an eye on letters flowing between Ord 1 and RAOC M and RO. Lance Corporal Kev Stynes attended a crane operators course and congratulations are also in order for him. The main event has been the redesignation of the Unit to 2 Aircraft Support Unit RAOC. ASM O'Driscoll was over- heard to remark " Now that you only have two aircraft to sup- port, perhaps we can have some spares?." We also say a jealous farewell to Sergeant Ray Bailey and family who are off to Hong Kong and also wish Lance Corporal John Leswar all the best on his departure to civilian life. I hope Manning and Records take note that we have no one to welcome! ! 12 FLIGHT AAC: Congratulations to Corporal Phil Bushnell on selection to Sergeant. 1 REGIMENT AAC. Arrivals: Sergeant Tom Emmott from DSM Donnington; Departures: Sergeant Winston Jones. Who? to 2 Accommodation Support Unit; Promotions: Sergeant Emmott to Staff Sergeant; Sporting Activities—Both Emmott and Sergeant Ricky Trotman passed BFT! Combat Supplies Battalion GRANTHAM returns, if not in triumph, then at least reasonably satisfied, to the fold. Nothing much appears to have hap- pened during my absence on the Ordnance Officers course which just goes to prove that no-one is indispenable; that is, until you want some leave. My return coincided with the escalation of social activity as Christmas approached and the corresponding (even happier) descalation (?) of work. There has been one notable exception to this which has necessitated our postponing the soldiers Christmas Dinner thank you, Transport and Movements. However, this apart, a general ' clearing of decks' is apparent and we are well into that very pleasant twilight period when the Army really doesn't interfere with our careers. It's ironic that by the time this copy sees the light of day in February we shall doubtless be back in it up to our (insert appropriate portion of anatomy). Company news is sparse this month as extra-mural activities occupy the time normally reserved for writing notes for THE GAZETTE. Forty three have been strangely quiet in their eerie fastness—that's probably because their inestimable leader has the 'flu. Forty four spent a memorable day at Arnhem and I expect full details to follow for next months Notes. Forty nine have, as ever, been doing their own thing, but there is a rumour that it's making them deaf. The senior management of the Battalion returned en bloc to UK for the DGOS Study Period. We lesser mortals, some of whom actually wanted to go, were unable to attend and could only, so to speak, gather the crumbs from those who did. It was apparently a successful conference and we wish the Corps Band every success for their fund-raising cruise on the Corps yacht. (That should guarantee me a place at next year's Period). j Visitors to the Battalion recently included the new Staff j Paymaster and his Inquisition. It was of course the annual pay inspection, conducted with customary thoroughness. Staff Sergeant Mick Shepherd, Sergeant Ian Foster and Corporal ' Chippy' Wood saw it through in style despite Grantham's dubious performance as Imprest Holder. I was leafing through some books at the weekend in search of inspiration for these Notes—subject to copyright, of — 286 — |
| Book number | R0403a |