On 4th November I was given a very rare opportunity for a 'civvie' from 27 Sqn at Odiham.
When I had the original phonecall from OC A Flt, I was given the opinion that they wanted a photographer on the ground at Odiham. It was only on the second call asking me to go on the Thursday of their pre-dep training week that I discovered that I would actually be flying with them. The original intention was that it would be a three-ship formation down to SPTA and that I would get onboard and ground shots of the exercise. However, as is the way with these things, plans chage from minute to minute. Various flights were operating on the 4th but most involved emergency training and special ops for which no passengers could be taken for obvious reasons.
However, there was one other option but the problem was the weather. Though it was sunny at Odiham, the range (Pembrey) and two thirds of the route was covered in mist and a cloudbase of 500ft. If the shortest route was taken, then a long over water crossing would be required which would again count me out. Negotiations went on with the crew and those upstairs and a decision was made. It was on! We would be lifting at 1130 having donned QD immersion suits. Routing via Keevil to collect the armourers and then out via Bath and over the Severn. We would then hug the South Wales Coast at ultra low level all the way to Pembrey and that is exactly what happened.
The ultra low level bit was exactly that. Below cliff top height and for those that know the works at Port Talbot, we passsed thhe chimney half way up the word 'Corus'! This is a coastline I know quite well right down to Pendine, but I had never seen it from this angle! All the places I have visited over the years flashed past. It was just a shame that i couldn't take photos at this point for safety reasons. Not only due to the height, but also due to the windy conditions which created a lot of buffeting which meant I had to stay firmly seated.
Soon we arrived at Pembrey Airfield where the armourers were dropped off along with the ammo for the night shoot and it was off to the range. I was dropped off near the range tower to grab what photos I could given the horrible conditions. About 20 live runs were made. Then I was picked up for the quick flight back to the airfield for refuel, re-arm and scoff.
Although the range was booked until 1900, there was a limit on time for arrival back at Odiham so we lifted again at 1600 for the night firing. To make room inside, all those not taking part in the firing were dropped off at the tower. However, this time I was given the opportunity of experiencing the firing from onboard. Photography though would be virtually impossible due to the almost total lack of light (no flashgun allowed during the firing as it would reflect off the guys visors) and let alone the manoeuvres that would be flown, the wind was gusting to over 28 knots. Several runs were made using the port and starboard miniguns and the 50 cal mounted on the ramp.
With departure time getting closer, at 1815 we picked up the rest of the crew and then it was a rapid climb to 5500ft for a full IFR routing back to Odiham where we arrived at 1910 – not bad for a journey that normally takes me three hours or more by car! This time I was in the jump seat experiencing the whole flight through NVGs – I never knew quite how busy the skies were!
Massive thanks to Vince, Simon, ‘Boothy’ and all the rest of the crew and to Stu, OC A Flt for making this incredible day happen. Lucky to get the opportunity. Well, even some of the guys on the squadron asked me how I managed to wangle it! “We don’t normally take non-service on exercises!” However, that didn’t make the welcome any less total.
All the guys I was with are due out to Afghanistan on detachment in early December and I am sure that all will wish them well.
Photos - those that follow tell the story of the day. I wasn't able to take any shots during the low level flight to Pembrey from Keevil for safety reasons - ultra low level and hugging every bay on the coast. Also, due to the vulgar weather conditions on the range and restrictions on using flash onboard at night for obvious reasons of casuing distractions to the gunners, some of the shots are very 'noisy' but I hope they give a flavour of what it's like on board the big 'Wokka' on a training exercise.
Startup - Chinook HC.3 ZH901
'Boothy'
Through the Valley
Approaching Keevil
Keevil Tower
'Jonesy'
Pembrey Range Drop Off Point
Gunnery Training
Ramp Gun - 50 cal firing through the mist (note the two Jaguars just about visible on the ground for use as targets by RAF jets)
Darkness Falls
Lifting from Pembrey Airfield for night firing
In the jump seat
Me on the starboard minigun
On board
Minigun Tracer
Vince & 'Boothy' on the ramp 50 cal
50 cal firing at night (the two green lights in the foreground centre are the NVGs of 'Boothy' and Vince
Night Ops
Hope you like them. This was a very rare opportunity for a 'civvie' to experience a pre-dep exercise from the inside.
Simon
