Number 36

Winter 2015

The newsletter of the 202 Squadron Association

XZ590 ‘F’ departs RAF Shawbury on Wednesday 30th September, on the second leg of the journey from Boulmer to storage at Fleetlands. This was

both the final sortie by a 202 Sqn aircraft and that airframe’s final flight (Image courtesy of RAF Shawbury Photographic Section)

The President’s Piece

On Thursday 22nd October, I travelled north to RAF Valley to attend the SAR Force Disbandment Dinner in the Officers’ Mess there. When I checked in at reception, I recalled that the first time I had checked in at that Mess was over 50 years ago, when I was arriving to do my Whirlwind conversion course! The public rooms of the mess don’t appear to have changed much at all in that time, in fact it seemed like exactly the same décor, but the bedrooms are now all en-suite. They still don’t provide towels though!

The dinner was a splendid but poignant occasion, marking the end of all Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Operations, apart from that in the Falklands for a short time, and was punctuated by some very thought-provoking and, dare I say it, emotional presentations by serving members of both 22 and 202 Squadrons.

It was good to see so many there, including a significant contingent from our own Association, and many “war stories” were exchanged, probably not for the first, or indeed for the last, time.

We now look forward, if that’s the correct expression, to the disbandment parade for the two Squadrons, on 18th February next year, followed a couple of days later by the laying up of the 202 Squadron Standard at Beverley Minster (Geoff Bakewell will be in touch soon to advise of the arrangements, but for the moment, put the 18th and 20th February, 2016 in your diaries).

No doubt I’ll see many of you there, but in the meantime have a very happy and enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

In Comradeship

Pete Chadwick

News From the Front Line, the final edition: June to October 2015

Sunset at Boulmer on September 28th – A Flt’s penultimate nightfall

(image copyright Sam Dempsey)

It is with a heavy heart but an immense feeling of pride that I sit here writing what will be the final news from the Squadron. Both Sea Kings from Boulmer have been safely delivered to HMS Sultan, the hangar, crewrooms and engineer rooms are being emptied, and Northumberland is, rather unnervingly, lacking a certain distinctive sound.

With D and E Flts closing down, A Flt took on a rather 'international' feel with the roster gaining from all flights and the shift planners breathing a heavy sigh of relief.

The pace of life, however, continued as normal, with the standard mix of training trips and jobs. However, as people were coming to the end of their SAR careers, much of the training was done with a hint of nostalgia. The usual 'stats chase' was also in force with the exception that those crews

scheduled to go down to the Falklands, once Boulmer closes, were required to achieve full stats, whilst those not required only needed to achieve half stats; cue smug faces all round.

The British summer never really seemed to get into its full stride, and this may have been one of the reasons for the slow job rate for most of it. The flight stalled at 15 jobs a month until July when the total skyrocketed to 18, only for it to fall once again to a stubborn 15 in August, but the flight did finish with a late flourish of 17 in September.

When jobs did come, it seemed they preferred to work in packs. Lt Martin Kerr and Flt Lt 'Skippy' Harvey had the monopoly on jobs for the vast majority of July, bouncing from job to job and plainly refusing to share the jobs around. During a run of shifts consisting of the 'dynamic duo' (I'll let them sort out who is Batman and who is Robin), they were re-tasked from a fallen climber near Bowlam Lake (Lake District), with the non critical casualty still on board, to an angler who was suffering from a cardiac arrest on a river in Galashiels, with CPR ongoing. Further into their run, another job in the Lakes involved two fallers on the precipitous Striding Edge. The rescue was hampered by low cloud and poor weather, so R131 provided support to the MRT by transferring 10 team members to the cloudbase where they could get to the casualties. Unfortunately, the given position of the casualties was a tad inaccurate so the brave souls of the MRT had a scramble of nearly 1km to the other side of the ridge to reach them. Once the MRT had reached the casualties, the cloudbase lifted for just enough time for R131 to get to the scene and recover the persons involved along with the 10 MRT. This type of job is one that many crews will miss, as it was always a pleasure and privilege to work alongside the professional and committed MRTs and Coastguard units, without whom many of our jobs would be nigh on impossible.

In July, the crew were woken from their slumber to 'rig-evac' a male engineer who had parted ways with his index finger and needed taking to hospital for a reunion. This fairly straightforward job almost ended in bizarre circumstances, however, when the crew had to route back to Boulmer with the casualty on board following a downward turn in the weather. On landing at Boulmer, it was decided that the best solution for the unfortunate

Farewell flypast over Alnwick Castle, 29th September

gentleman was to transfer him by road ambulance to Newcastle for surgery. So with his finger in a beaker full of ice, he was shown to the crewroom to rest. As he was making himself at home, a large shape begun to emerge from the sedate-looking blanket on the crew room floor. Unbeknown to him, 'Louie', Sgt Beamish's tame 65 kg Rhodesian Ridgeback, had been having a rather pleasant nap and was now making his way over to the delicious-smelling beaker with a rather hungry look in his eyes. Fortunately for all, Louie had recently been fed and, after an inquisitive sniff, he peacefully returned to his bed with everybody breathing a sigh of relief at not needing to have an 'awkward' conversation with the ambulance crew about the location of the index finger. The casualty safely arrived at hospital later that night. The last tasking of Rescue 131 was on 29th September and was a medrescue of an elderly lady from near Melrose to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.

As is usual with summer holidays, the flight hosted visits by many cadet units offering them the chance to experience flying with the crews. These visits are always a good reminder that being paid to fly is a rare privilege as

sometime it is all too easy to take it for granted. We also had a visit by the Harley Bikes owners’ club who came to pose for photographs with another engineering marvel- no, not the shift bosses - the mighty Sea King.

The eagerly-anticipated and 'unexpected' visit by the Standards team arrived in August after much speculation and paranoia. As expected, the visit went well for the flight and we were safe to continue SAR operations until the end date. The final families flying day was held on a sunny May weekend and involved flying of over 100 family members of flight personnel. It involved both aircraft, in the air at the same time no less, and the usual well-worn 'cadet flight' routing around the local castles and the town of Alnwick.

Crews have without question made the best of the final quarter of A Flt. On most shifts the training limit of 4 hours had become a target. This was, as always, only achievable because of the sterling work by the flight engineers, supplying serviceable aircraft as they always have done. Indeed in the last month the total flying effort from both aircraft was just shy of 115 hours. Both aircraft have behaved impeccably through the quarter with only XZ586 having a rather stubborn starboard engine trying to ruin the party. This was quickly solved with an engine change.

As the final quarter of 202 Sqn came to a close, we saw the majority of our personnel move onto other units or to civvy life: Lt Martin 'Beardy' Kerr was called back to the Navy and went to Shawbury to train as a QHI, Flt 'Tweds' Tweddle leaves to become a Tutor QFI at Cranwell, Flt Lt Ally 'OoLAM' McDowell left for Shawbury to become a QHI, Flt Lt Campbell 'Job Dance' Blake has left for Cyprus and 84 Sqn, Flt Lt 'Cuthy' Cuthbertson has started his career with Bristow SAR at Prestwick, Flt Lt Paul MacKay returns to Pumas at Benson, Flt Lt Tony Falkingham goes off to teach on the Tucano at Linton-on-Ouse, Flt Lt Giles Smith moved to Leuchars to fly the Tutor, Flt Lt 'Samwise' Dempsey is posted to fly the Chinook at Odiham, MACr Rik Jones is posted to 54(R) at Waddington, FS Nige Mortimer has joined Bristow SAR, FS Terry Williamson retires for the second time, Sgt Dan Hewitt goes on to the future of aviation that is UAVs, Sgt 'Fumes' Lingham takes up a post at SARTU at Valley, Sgt Ollie Neece joins the mighty Chinook force at Odiham, Sgt 'Beamo' Beamish leaves to join the medical profession (he never was one for

timing), Sgt Neil Heathorn leaves to join Bristow SAR, Cpl Kyra Thompson leaves to pursue a career in teaching, SAC Glen Burns was promoted to Cpl and is awaiting his next posting, SAC Leigh Rackham leaves to take up a career in recruitment and last, but by no means least, Vikki Boe leaves her post as the last admin assistant on the Squadron (for which she got a lovely certificate) to work in the HIVE at Boulmer. Those others who were not mentioned, namely; Sqn Ldr 'McHoots' MacFarlane, Flt Lt 'Skippy' Harvey, Flt Lt Ed Burrows, Flt Lt 'Jez' Bowles, FS Andy Rowland, Sgt Dylan Burns, Sgt Neil Finch and SAC Gregg Harper all head down to the Falklands, over the next six months, as part of 1564 Flt until all RAF SAR finishes in March 2016.

XZ586 departs Boulmer for the final time on 30th September

As the end date approached, the outpouring of support from the local community around Boulmer was truly humbling. A social media page that was set up by a local group, to collect people's thoughts and memories of 202 Sqn, had over 3500 members in just 48 hrs, such is the power of the internet! Even during local training trips, the reaction from the public was as equally remarkable, with crews experiencing spontaneous rounds of applause from the top of Scafell Pike and salutes from sailing vessel captains.

The local WI also showed their appreciation by making the flight a most delicious fruit cake (which lasted all of four shifts) and presenting it to us during a visit.

By way of thanks to the local community, a final flypast of Alnwick was conducted in September, originally planned for the Battle of Britain parade, but as fate would have it, this had to be re-scheduled as the crew were tasked mid-'run-in' to a search in the Lakes.

After all the build-up, the anticipation, the planning and trepidation, the date finally arrived when 202 Sqn stood down and handed over SAR coverage to Bristow. When it did come, it all felt very surreal and having the honour of flying the last Sea King out of Boulmer was bitter sweet; I have never worried so much about my starting checks than with a crowd of 100-plus people watching. However, thankfully it all went smoothly, the weather was perfect, the aircraft behaved impeccably, the flight down was safe and uneventful, and the Navy now has two more yellow helicopters in its storage hangars. Once this was all achieved, we could eventually relax and celebrate the years of service that all the members had supplied to the Squadron and SAR as a whole. This was in the form of a leaving party hosted by the Hope and Anchor in Alnmouth. A good time was had by all and it was good to see so many faces from the Squadron, past and present.

With all that said, I want to offer a final thanks to you, the members and supporters of the Association. Your support has been so very much appreciated over the years and we hope that you don't mind welcoming the odd (some more so than others) new member to your ranks.

I think the most appropriate way to end this last 'News From the Front Line' is to leave you with the words that OC A Flt, Sqn Ldr MacFarlane spoke, so eloquently, at the moment A Flt stood down at 0920 on 30 Sep 15:

"A thin yellow thread has run through the decades. It has always been there; seamless and unbroken. The thin yellow thread has meant hope, it has meant comfort, and it has meant salvation to the thousands of people who have needed us most. But today, on this beautiful, sunny Northumberland

morning, the thin yellow thread - the one that everybody hoped would go on forever - has come to an end."

"When you leave here today to go on with the next part of your lives, I want you to do so with your heads held high. I want you to do so with pride, because you have all - and I mean each and every one of you - made a difference. You have been part of something great; something we may never see the like of again. So thank you all, and the very best of luck for the future. A Flight: stand down from operations."

Semper Vigilate

Flt Lt Sam Dempsey

Sqn Ldr MacFarlane, OC A Flt, watches the second and final aircraft depart Boulmer on 30th September

Master AEOp John Reeson, George Medal, RIP

Many of you will have met John Reeson as a member of the Association and many as a friend and SAR colleague. Sadly, John died late last year, his funeral being on 11 Dec.

John was awarded his George Medal for the daring rescue in the North Sea, in the dark, in a Whirlwind, of the crew of the oil rig “Sea Gem” on Boxing Day 1965. Those of you familiar with the Whirlwind will know that night winching over the sea is not something to be contemplated lightly. I first met John a few months after the Sea Gem rescue, when I first joined 202 Squadron at Leconfield, and we have been firm friends since, having served together several times over the years.

It was John’s wish that his ashes should be scattered in the North Sea off Flamborough Head. And so, on 31st January this year, I was able to participate in making that wish come true. With Margaret and the rest of John’s family watching from atop the cliffs on Flamborough Head, I flew in Sea King XZ587 to just off the Head, where the winchman released John’s ashes over the water. As you can see, there was a fairly stiff breeze blowing and the family were able to see clearly that John’s wish had been fulfilled.

Rest in Peace, John.

Pete Chadwick

John Reeson’s ashes being scattered, 31st January 2015

NOTICE: SAR FORCE DISBANDMENT PARADE

Sirs

As you are probably aware the SAR Force will soon be disbanded. There is a parade planned at RAF Valley for the 18th February 2016, starting at 1100. Following this there will be a reception. It is expected that the day will be finished by 1700.

We would like to send invitations to ex SAR 202 Squadron Association members who are ex SAR and are interested in attending. May we kindly ask that you notify your association of this parade and ask any interested persons to send an email to us at the following address with their name, 202 Sqn service history and contact details (preferably email). In order to facilitate our planning we would appreciate notifications of interest by Monday the 14th December 2015.

sar-hqparadesec@mod.uk

Once they have made contact we will be in a position to send an invitation, and following this, further details for the day itself.

We look forward to your correspondence.

Kindest Regards

SAR Force Disbandment Parade Committee

SAR Force HQ

RAF Valley

Holyhead

LL65 3NY

01407 766627

sar-hqparadesec@mod.uk

Extract from ‘The Birth Of The Royal Air Force’by Ian Philpott

Ian Stephenson has kindly supplied this extract as a taster for the book. He has a copy which he is prepared to lend to Association members – please

contact him direct, or through the Ed if you need Ian’s contact details.

RAF Club SAR Artwork Update

The artwork which celebrates RAF SAR from 1941 to the end is now complete and will soon be unveiled and displayed in the RAF Club. The Association has donated £500 and some members have expressed an interest in making a personal donation. You should send your cheque to Kathryn Cooper, Assistant Secretary at the RAF Club, made out to "Royal Air Force Club" with a note indicating that this is a donation to the RAF SAR Art Project. Kathryn will ensure that donations are put into a special account.

Mike Lakey

Editor’s End

Once again this issue has only been possible thanks to hard work by certain individuals. In particular, Sam Dempsey has again created a memorable and fitting account of the last months of the active Sqn, as well as supplying the stunning sunset shot included in his article; also for the final time, Cpl Pete Devine of the SAR Force Image Exploitation Section has done me proud with exclusive photos from the last days at Boulmer (all images are courtesy of Pete unless otherwise credited).

Now that the Sqn has ceased operations, the single largest article in each Mucky Duck is no more; as a result, the Committee discussed at the recent meeting changing the MD to an annual publication, to ensure sufficient material for each issue. The idea would be to publish towards the end of the year, with the usual spring-time Reunion providing the other opportunity for news and updates. Please let me know your feelings on this proposal.

Charlie Logan www.202-sqn-assoc.co.uk

Annex A: Request for assistance

Dear Sirs

You may be interested to know that I recently produced an article for the RAFA magazine - see attached, pages 38-40.

The article concerned the service of my late uncle, and in connection with article I have placed a number of pictures online - see

http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tmi45/bernard.htm

Since writing the article my father has found a 202 Squadron blazer badge amongst my late uncle's papers, which we presume belonged to him.

Please have a look at the article and my website, as it would seem to me that the pictures may relate to 202 Squadron, although I cannot say for sure. Perhaps you can let me know if you think that I am in error in making the connection.

Regards

Mark Gamble

Annex B: 202 Squadron Memorabilia for sale

The following items are available for sale. Prices include postage & packing.

Association Tie £10.00

Squadron Tie £10.00

Wire Embroidered Squadron Blazer Badge £11.00

Enamel Squadron Pin Badge £2.50

Enamel Mallard Pin Badge £2.50

Enamel Mallard Cufflinks £5.50

202 Squadron Association Pen £1.75

(close-up of pen design)

Car Window Sticker £1.00

Association Notecards (5 + envelopes) £2.50

(Plain Inside)

Association Christmas Cards (5 + envelopes) £2.50

(As Notecard with Season’s Greetings inside)

From…………………………………………………………………..

Address……………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………….

Post Code……………………………..

Telephone……………………………..

Please let me have to following items:

Item: Number Cost

chadwick@which.net