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The Official Magazine of the UKMAMS Association Electronic Issue No. 6

With these uncertain times of spending cuts, and the defence review looming on the have included, along with the usual features, an articlethe strategic fleet, the Airbus A330, A400M now flying, a comparison with the Russian ANfor some time now and compares favourably with the capabilities (claimed or actual) of the A400M, and is considerably cheaper. Will Movers still have the right tools to do the job when these aircraft come into service? Or should we have bought Off the shelf. Enjoy this edition. Mick

Welcome to the latest edition of Team Brief. Arrangements for our 20continue to gather pace and I am pleased to announce that we have finalized a date. We had originally planned to hold the reunion over the weekend of the late May Bank Holiday 2011 but unfortunately the Sergeants Mess at RAF Lyneham cHowever, we have been able to negotiate an alternative which is the weekend of the 212011. It is our intention to hold a meet and greet in the Lash Inn at No 1 AMW on Friday 202011. Finances permitting we would hope to provide some Two On the Saturday afternoon we plan to have a Guided Tour of No 1 AMW and be able to view the latest ACHE and Equipment. There will not be an Open or a Families Day. On the evening we will hold a function in the Sergeants Mess in the guise of an informal Top Table Ladies Guest Night with a 3 course meal followed by coffee. Wine & Port at the table will also be included. As we are now an internet based Association and do not charge a subscription event will be self supporting. Places will be limited to 130 and demand is expected to be high. Initially places will only be available to members of the Association and their Wife/Partner. Dress for the function will be jacket and tie. When all thbe posted on our website and members informed by means of an email mail

In my last report I mentioned that Terry Roberts would be standing down as our Welfare Secretary. Each member of the Associationimportant part in the efficient, running of the Association. If we are to continue to be a success we need volunteers to fill posts as and when they fall vacant. If anyone is interested in becoming our Welfare member or wishes to discuss the position please give me a ring on 01793 703538. In addition, our Treasurer/Memsec will be going Out of Area in 2011 and we urgently require a deputy to cover his absence during the period April to Sept 2011. Interested; give m

Earlier this month Keith Smith turned 60 and along with a number of fellow members we helpeKeith celebrate. I am reliably informed that Keith eventually made it home at 0345 and the following morning he felt more like an 80 year old. Happy 60the world of free prescriptions and bus passes.our wives spent an enjoyable week in Devon. One evening we had gone out for a meal with an old friend of Terrys an ex VC10 Tanan ex RAF PTI Muscle Mechanic and

Chairmans

Notes

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With these uncertain times of spending cuts, and the defence review looming on the ng with the usual features, an article from the press about the replacement for the Airbus A330, already questioning the cost and viability. Also, with the

A400M now flying, a comparison with the Russian AN70, an aircraft which hasfor some time now and compares favourably with the capabilities (claimed or actual) of the A400M, and is considerably cheaper. Will Movers still have the right tools to do the job when

? Or should we have bought Off the shelf.

Welcome to the latest edition of Team Brief. Arrangements for our 20th

continue to gather pace and I am pleased to announce that we have finalized a date. We had originally planned to hold the reunion over the weekend of the late May Bank Holiday 2011 but unfortunately the Sergeants Mess at RAF Lyneham could not accommodate us that weekend. However, we have been able to negotiate an alternative which is the weekend of the 212011. It is our intention to hold a meet and greet in the Lash Inn at No 1 AMW on Friday 20

would hope to provide some Two-fors.

On the Saturday afternoon we plan to have a Guided Tour of No 1 AMW and be able to view the latest ACHE and Equipment. There will not be an Open or a Families Day. On the

function in the Sergeants Mess in the guise of an informal Top Table Ladies Guest Night with a 3 course meal followed by coffee. Wine & Port at the table will also be included. As we are now an internet based Association and do not charge a subscription event will be self supporting. Places will be limited to 130 and demand is expected to be high. Initially places will only be available to members of the Association and their Wife/Partner. Dress for the function will be jacket and tie. When all the arrangements have been finalized a notice will be posted on our website and members informed by means of an email mail

In my last report I mentioned that Terry Roberts would be standing down as our Welfare Secretary. Each member of the Associations volunteer management committee plays an important part in the efficient, running of the Association. If we are to continue to be a success we need volunteers to fill posts as and when they fall vacant. If anyone is interested in becoming

er or wishes to discuss the position please give me a ring on 01793 703538. In addition, our Treasurer/Memsec will be going Out of Area in 2011 and we urgently require a deputy to cover his absence during the period April to Sept 2011. Interested; give m

Earlier this month Keith Smith turned 60 and along with a number of fellow members we helpeinformed that Keith eventually made it home at 0345 and the

following morning he felt more like an 80 year old. Happy 60th Birthday Keith!!!!!!!! Welcome to the world of free prescriptions and bus passes. In August myself and Terry Roberts along with our wives spent an enjoyable week in Devon. One evening we had gone out for a meal with an

s an ex VC10 Tanker Air Engineer. During the evening we were introduced to an ex RAF PTI Muscle Mechanic and the conversation got round to the RAFMS, Movements and

Chairmans

Notes

With these uncertain times of spending cuts, and the defence review looming on the horizon, I from the press about the replacement for

already questioning the cost and viability. Also, with the 70, an aircraft which has been in service

for some time now and compares favourably with the capabilities (claimed or actual) of the A400M, and is considerably cheaper. Will Movers still have the right tools to do the job when

? Or should we have bought Off the shelf. Something to ponder.

th Anniversary Reunion continue to gather pace and I am pleased to announce that we have finalized a date. We had originally planned to hold the reunion over the weekend of the late May Bank Holiday 2011 but

ould not accommodate us that weekend. However, we have been able to negotiate an alternative which is the weekend of the 21st May 2011. It is our intention to hold a meet and greet in the Lash Inn at No 1 AMW on Friday 20th May

On the Saturday afternoon we plan to have a Guided Tour of No 1 AMW and be able to view the latest ACHE and Equipment. There will not be an Open or a Families Day. On the Saturday

function in the Sergeants Mess in the guise of an informal Top Table Ladies Guest Night with a 3 course meal followed by coffee. Wine & Port at the table will also be included. As we are now an internet based Association and do not charge a subscription fee the event will be self supporting. Places will be limited to 130 and demand is expected to be high. Initially places will only be available to members of the Association and their Wife/Partner. Dress

e arrangements have been finalized a notice will be posted on our website and members informed by means of an email mail-shot.

In my last report I mentioned that Terry Roberts would be standing down as our Welfare s volunteer management committee plays an

important part in the efficient, running of the Association. If we are to continue to be a success we need volunteers to fill posts as and when they fall vacant. If anyone is interested in becoming

er or wishes to discuss the position please give me a ring on 01793 703538. In addition, our Treasurer/Memsec will be going Out of Area in 2011 and we urgently require a deputy to cover his absence during the period April to Sept 2011. Interested; give me a ring.

Earlier this month Keith Smith turned 60 and along with a number of fellow members we helped informed that Keith eventually made it home at 0345 and the

Birthday Keith!!!!!!!! Welcome to In August myself and Terry Roberts along with

our wives spent an enjoyable week in Devon. One evening we had gone out for a meal with an ker Air Engineer. During the evening we were introduced to

conversation got round to the RAFMS, Movements and

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the fact that an ex UKMAMS bloke lived in the village; Umberleigh. It turned out to be none other than Brian Kingdom who I hadnt seen in 30 odd years since the days of Martin Gledhill, Jimmy Finlay, Jamie Jamison, Taff Aplin, Graham Tye, Chico Jevons, Martin Roache, Brendon Keogh, et al and the NAAFI Pegasus Club Lyneham. Contact was duly made with Brian and the following night we got together to make up for 30 years absence and after far too much Guinness and having put the RAF to rights we agreed that we must stay in touch. It was great to see Brian, still happily married with a son, daughter and grandchildren.

No 1 AMW now has a new OC; Wg Cdr Rich Pratley. Welcome Rich. Rich attended our last management committee meeting and agreed in principle to the arrangements for the 20th Anniversary and No 1 AMWs involvement in the celebrations. Richard has been a member of the Association since joining UKMAMS in 1997 as a Team Leader. His predecessor Wg Cdr Andy Killey is now safely ensconced in Tampa, liaising manfully between the US Air Force and the RAF PJHQ (Permanent Joint Headquarters Northwood) a hardship posting if ever there was one. Thanks Andy for all your support during the past two years.

Two of our members Taff Wood and Geordie Rochester are competing in the Cardiff Half Marathon on the 17th October 2010. Taff is raising money for Help for Heroes, whilst Geordie is running in aid of the Lyneham Girl Guides and Scouts. It transpires that the land where their Meeting Hall is currently located has been sold and the developers want them off. The MOD have agreed to let them use a site adjacent to 47AD at RAF Lyneham but the Lyneham Guides and Scouts must pay for the cost of moving their Mobile plus installation of essential utilities. Geordie is awaiting notification of a Gift Aid authorisation and number and once available donations and sponsorship can be made direct to Gift Aid. In the meantime if any member is interested in supporting such a worthy cause please contact Geordie on DESDSCOM-OPSCompCellSNCO2@mod.uk (Work) or geordieroch031@aim.com (Home). Taff Wood also welcomes any donations and can be contacted on taffwood@hotmail.com. Until the next time; keep safe..

Colin

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Membership By

Steve Beaumont

Membership continues to rise with the current total standing at 459 which is very good. We have seen some new associate members join from Supply trades at Lyneham/Abingdon in the 60s but who worked within Movements for a while. Good to see you.

New members joining since the last edition of Team Brief are Gerry Davis currently living in Bristol, a boy entrant who served on NEAF MAMS in 1965-8, Graham Healy who has not told us much so Graham if you are reading this let us know a few more details, Chris Kendall also living in Bristol having served at Lyneham D Shift and Mobile between 1978-82, Kevin Foote now retired living in Swindon, Baz Chappell who served at Lyneham in the 70s and 80s currently living in Las Vegas and hoping that his Boss will let him retire soon, good luck Baz, Alistair Mckenna who was at Lyneham between 1980-85 who left and is now a teacher in the North East, Graham Tye now retired and also living in Las Vegas, maybe you can advise Baz how to retire? Tom Ireland having PVRd to stay in Germany in 1975 is now freelance marketing projects and translations, Pete Mahon now retired, Tony Fowler who left the RAF recently to live in Canada, then of course the Bald Pagan Kev Koslowski-Smith currently working as a support worker for adults with a learning disabilities, challenging behaviour and severe autism and living in Cambridgeshire, Chris Simkins currently working in IT and living in Norfolk, Gordon Gray who PVRd in 1985 to work for Honda in Swindon and having seen the light called it a day in Northern Cyprus, Ronald Meridith who has a very impressive list of appointments as follows, 30 Years in the RAF; completed Advanced Movements Course at Kidbrooke in 1961, RAF Idris,deputy SAMO.16MU Mov Ops, HQAFME, mainly Surface and shipping with addition of Zambial Oil air lift, JWE Air Tpt Spt generally, HQ2ATAF, Air Logs, MOD Wpn Eng 3 Nuclear tpt air & surface, and after PVR, 496MCLU RCT (V)which inc' recall to the colours for Op Desert Storm, shipping ammo out of RAF Welford. Currently retired, but on the National Council of the Society of Industrial Emergency Service Officers (SIESO) and acts in a consultancy capacity EEC wide re disaster management and recovery, Ed Stout currently a Gentleman of leisure - NOT. (Unemployed, getting under her feet, fly fishing, sea fishing, course fishing, photography, visual media digitization and charity fund-raising for the Donna Louise Children's Hospice) a bit like most of us really!

Remember, if you are reading this on the web and you did not get an E mail from us advising that the latest Team Brief was available then we either do not have an up to date E mail address for you of no E mail address at all. If that is the case, then please let me know and I will get you added to the Mail Shot.

All the best

Steve Beaumont

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RAF flies aid to Pakistan flood victims Royal Air Force is flying in aid for more than 3,00 0 families left stranded by the devastating floods in Pakistan.

A C17, the force's largest transport aircraft, carrying 3,000 shelter kits, was scheduled to land in Islamabad.

The kits will provide more than 15,000 flood victims with plastic sheeting, pegs and ropes, to erect temporary shelters for protection against the ongoing monsoon rains.

The RAF is also sending a C130 Hercules into Multan in the southern province of Punjab on Sunday with an additional 500-plus shelter kits.

The British Government has now committed 64 million to help people in Pakistan affected by the floods.

Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey said: "The disaster in Pakistan demands a co-ordinated international response. I am pleased that, while continuing to support our ongoing efforts in Afghanistan, the RAF has been able to provide airlift capacity to help the people of Pakistan.

"The Ministry of Defence will continue to do whatever we can to provide assistance to the Department for International Development in bringing essential aid supplies to the region."

The RAF and the Department for International Development have already worked together on three previous flights to provide aid in Pakistan.

The aid was arriving as Unicef trebled its appeal for funds to help women and children.

The charity is calling for 90 million in donations, a dramatic increase from its request for 30 million issued previously.

UKaid-funded tents being unloaded from an RAF C17 in

Pakistan

A Royal Air Force C17 plane flew an additional 500 tents to help those affected by the Pakistan floods. The tents will provide shelter for at least 2,500 people

driven out of their homes by the flooding. The tents can be erected within half an hour and are designed to withstand extremely heavy rainfall and cold conditions. So far the UK has supplied 2,500 tents, providing shelter for 12,500 people. More tents and emergency shelter kits are on their way.

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NAO criticises MoD over RAF Transport Aircraft

Purchase

From a BBC News article

The Ministry of Defence failed to get the best deal for taxpayers when buying a fleet of transport planes for the RAF, the spending watchdog has said. The National Audit Office said the 14 Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft would be delivered more than five years late. The planes would have to be fitted with suitable protection costing hundreds of millions of pounds before they could be used in Afghanistan, it added. The MoD said the 10.5bn Brize Norton-based fleet would be value for money. Conflict zones The dual-use Airbus A330-200 aircraft will be capable of transporting troops and carrying out air-to-air refuelling. They were due to be delivered in 2006, but they will not be in service until the end of 2011. Instead, the RAF is relying on ageing Tristars and VC10s to carry out such roles. The report said the private finance initiative (PFI) deal faced years of further delays if the MoD were to decide the aircraft should be "retro-fitted" with flight deck armour and other protective equipment to enable them to operate in "high-threat environments". The National Audit Office (NAO), Whitehall's spending watchdog, said the process could cost "several hundred million pounds" if it went ahead. The NAO said that when the MoD originally began work on the procurement programme, it was not envisaged they could be required to fly directly into conflict zones, and no funding was provided for protective equipment. Instead it was decided the additional equipment would have to be "retro-fitted" once the RAF started taking delivery of the new aircraft in 2011. In the meantime, it said, the MoD was spending 23.5m replacing flight management systems and cockpit displays on the Tristars so they could carry on operating. 'High standards' Overall, the NAO said it was impossible to assess whether the PFI deal provided value for money to the taxpayer and it criticised the MoD for failing to carry out a "sound evaluation of alternative procurement routes". Edward Leigh, the chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, which oversees the work of the NAO, strongly criticised the use of PFI.

The National Audit Office said the deal was years behind schedule

By introducing a private

finance element to the deal, the

MoD managed to turn what

should have been a relatively

straightforward procurement

into a bureaucratic

nightmare

Edward Leigh

Chairman, Commons Public

Accounts Committee

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"By introducing a private finance element to the deal, the MoD managed to turn what should have been a relatively straightforward procurement into a bureaucratic nightmare," he said. An MoD spokesman said the Tristars currently in operation were "fitted with the highest possible standard" and the new planes' levels of protection would "match or exceed" these. "The MoD is pleased the NAO has acknowledged that this FSTA [Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft] project has achieved all of its delivery milestones since the contract was signed," the spokesman added. "We recognise that some aspects of the procurement in the early stages might have been improved but we are content that the UK has secured a good deal for the taxpayer and for the RAF."

A400M versus AN70 Given further troubles with the A400M that go beyond engine software, particularly weight problems and rate of descent issues with the props (recent Aviation Week article), Antonov should be sitting in a very good position with a flying, proven alternative to the A400M that is equal in nearly all performance areas, superior in some, comes at a lower price, and is available now.

A400M (from Airbus website) Cruise Speed Range Mach 0.68 - 0.72 (448-475 mph) Max. Operating Speed 300 kt CAS Initial Cruise Altitude at MTOW 29 000 ft Max. Operating Altitude - Normal ops 37 000 ft Max. Operating Altitude - Special ops 40 000 ft Max. Take-off Weight 141 t Max. Landing Weight 122 t Empty weight 70 tonnes Max Payload - 37 tonnes Range at Max. Payload * 1780 nm Range at 30-tonne Payload * 2450 nm Range at 20-tonne Payload * 3450 nm Ferry Range * 4700 nm Tactical Take-Off Distance ** 914 m Tactical Landing Distance ** 822 m ** Conditions: Aircraft weight 120 t, all engines operative, ISA+15, sea level.ov

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AN-70 (from Antonov website) Maximum cargo capacity, 47 tonnes Required runway length (tactical); 600m takeoff - 700m landing Max T.O.W., 145 tonnes Empty weight, 66 tonnes Service range, km (nm): with 47 t cargo 3 000 (1650 nm) with 35 t cargo 5 100 (2800 nm) with 20 t cargo 6 600 (3620 nm) ferry flight 8 000 (4400 nm) Speed, km/h cruising 700 - 750 (440-470 mph) maximum 780 (488) mph Cruising altitude, m 9 000 - 12 000 (40,000 ft)

The Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit

Or JATE; as we know it. Now close to its 70th Anniversary, The Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) units name has morphed through several acronyms since its foundations in 1943, when the Armys Airborne Forces Development Centre (AFDC) located at Amesbury Abbey and the RAF Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit (AFTDU) at Tarrant Rushton had similar roles. Through the post-war years the two units migrated to many different airfields until merging in 1968 with a common Headquarters at Old Sarum.

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In January 1968, the Joint Air Transport Establishment (JATE) was formed with its headquarters at Old Sarum, Wiltshire which at the time was also the home of the Joint Warfare Establishment (JWE) and the Army Air Transport Development Centre (AATDC). The initial JATE Organisation was based on a consortium of 3 separate units, operating under the co-ordinated control of Headquarters JATE. The 3 units in question comprised of the Army's long serving AATDC, the RAFs AFTDU and a new organisation titled the Joint Helicopter Development Unit, (JHDU). The JHDU added a Naval presence within the JATE organisation. There was a close link between JWE and JATE with the post of JATE Commandant being combined with the Deputy Commandant at JWE. In 1970 the MOD decided JATE should be based entirely at RAF Abingdon (the home of ATDU) and the close ties with JWE ceased. It was also decided that the main element of JHDU should become independent of JATE and remain at Old Sarum under the new title of Joint Helicopter Tactical Development Unit (JHTDU). JATE retained 1 section, made up of personnel of AATDC's Helicopter Section, concerned with helicopter underslung loads, internal load clearance work and techniques for carriage of troops by helicopter.

The move to Abingdon was completed in February 1973. In combination with the move, a more unified structure was introduced. The separate identities of AATDC and ATDU were formally discarded although the various sections remained identifiable with their earlier affiliations. Under the new structure the sections comprised: Heavy Drop, Air Despatch, Airportability, Infantry/Signals and Training Sections (all ex-AATDC), together with Air Logistics and Aircraft Engineering Sections (ATDU background), Helicopter Section (JHDU/AATDC background) Design Drawing Office (made up of personnel from both AATDC and ATDU) and Flying Section (Hercules aircraft) which was special to JATE.

As a result of a government defence review in 1974, it was decided to move JATE to RAF Brize Norton. Thus on 31 December 1975 JATE HQ was formally established at its present site. There was further restructuring with the merger of sections with common roles so leading to a more streamlined organisation with savings in manpower. Thus the Heavy Drop and Air Despatch Sections merged to form the Aerial Delivery Section and the Airportability and Logistics Sections merged under the title of Airportability Section. Infantry/Signals Section simply became Infantry

Bristol Belvedere Helicopter during Underslung Clearance Trials late 1960s

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Section, whilst retaining a signals specialist. By the end of the 1970's Aircraft Engineering shortened its title and became Engineering Section. At the same time the Infantry Section became the Airborne Trials Section, which reflected the type of work they specialised in.

In the 1990s a team appointed by the MOD completed a JATE study. One of the recommendations was that command of JATE should be moved from the Director of Commitments to the RAF Air Warfare Centre (AWC) under RAF Strike Command. This change occurred in April 1998 and JATE's name also changed to reflect its position within the AWC becoming an evaluation unit instead of an establishment and JATE became JATEU. As part of this reorganisation the JATE Flying Section left to become part of the Hercules Operational Evaluation Unit (HOEU) at RAF Lyneham.

From the start of the 1980s until April 1998 the post of Commandant JATE, which used to rotate between RAF and Army, was provided by an Army Colonel and the post of Deputy Commandant was filled by a RAF Wing Commander of the General Duties Flying Branch. With the formation of JATEU, the Commandant became an Army Commanding Officer in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and the second in command became a RAF Squadron Leader. The announcement in 2004 that planning should commence for the closure of RAF Lyneham, project CATARA (Centralisation of Air Transport and Air Refuelling Assets) has started the process of evaluating the move of assets to RAF Brize Norton. Thus, JATEU is actively participating in the planning which will see the Hercules transport fleet, the Hercules Operational Evaluation Unit (Herc OEU) and 47 Air Despatch Squadron Royal Logistics Corp relocate to join JATEU at Brize Norton. At present, the aspiration is to expand the Herc OEU into a wider ranging Air Transport and Air to Air Refuelling (ATAAR) OEU [covering such aircraft as C17 and A400M] and to co-locate the new unit alongside JADTEU.

And so life goes on and today whenever a new, redesigned, or damaged piece of equipment needs to be carried inside or slung under, a Royal Air Force fixed-wing aircraft or UK MoD helicopter, there is only one establishment that can approve the load as safe to fly The Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU). Working under the command of the Air Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington, the unit continues to operate as a lodger unit at RAF Brize Norton but few people have little idea of the work JADTEU and its 126 personnel, who ensure that if the

Airportability trial of a combat engineer tractor loading onto and off a Hercules

C130 in late 1970s.

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Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force want anything delivered by air, they get what they want, how they want it and whenever possible when they want it.

Two refurbished J-Type hangars, together with a small collection of pre-fabricated buildings, are situated on the south side of the RAF Brize Norton runway. They look rather insignificant relative to the contribution that JADTEU makes to Defence as a whole and recently Operation Herrick specifically. This input can be in a multitude of ways, which can be measured as applied technical knowledge and safe operating capability, all documented in informative air publications, which detail the procedures to be followed and the equipment needed to safely and effectively deliver personnel and materiel. This it does through the conduct of operational trials and evaluation on behalf of sponsors. In addition it provides advice / recommendations to MOD sponsors, agencies, civilian industry and foreign governments on all air transport matters.

Today the unit is not only responsible for air delivery solutions, but also provides a series of training courses for those required to depart from airborne helicopters. To ensure these standards are met within the Unit, a Chief Design Engineer oversees all design and manufacturing aspects. This includes the issue of Certificates of Design, whilst a Quality Assurance Manager monitors wider compliance. JADTEU received ISO 9001 Accreditation on 19 March 1997 which means that they meet the requirements of the international standard for quality assurance and more recently we have become ISO 9000:2008 compliant. In addition, within the Design Approval Organisation Scheme (DAOS), JADTEU has Design Approval Status, from the UK MOD Defence Equipment and Support Agency (DE&S), for aerial delivery systems and other air transport related equipment.

JADTEU is sub-divided by tasks into six individual sections, and is responsible for applying logic, expertise, engineering, training, and in some cases old fashioned common sense, to over 200 trials each year. Added to this are over 40 helicopter training courses each year. Tasks arrive at the unit Headquarters for acceptance and are allocated to one of its six sections.

HELICOPTER SECTION (HS).

Any new or modified military equipment to be carried under a UK MoD helicopter first has to be trialled and then approved by the HS before front line squadrons can operate with the load. Over many years the HS has been responsible for trialling every load that is currently underslung from a UK MoD helicopter, and with over 6,000 past clearance trials it would appear there is nothing new to trial. However, this is far from reality.

A recent example is the Westland Lynx AH9A helicopter. When the Lynx was introduced in the mid-1970s, it was trialled and approved as an underslung load should it need to be lifted out of a situation by another helicopter. A number of the original Lynx AH9s have now been upgraded and fitted with a more powerful engine and re-designated AH9A. In this case, a new engine introduced more weight and a potential shift in the centre of gravity, something critical to the helicopter carrying it. As the AH9A had been classified as an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for use in Afghanistan, the development and test flying programme had been fast tracked. However, before an AH9A just returned from a hot and high flight envelope trial in Kenya (where flying conditions are not dissimilar to Afghanistan) could be deployed, its underslung load characteristics for recovery had to be reassessed due to the weight and centre of gravity change. JADTUE was tasked to expedite the underslung load trial.

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Inside one of the hangars, under a purpose-designed lifting gantry complete with loads cells for measuring weight, the AH9A was lifted to accurately measure its weight and centre of gravity, against the manufacturers declared weight. The HS Team worked long into the night checking many things that in a warm benign hangar may seem innocuous. Most importantly it was to establish the most expeditious procedure to prepare it for flight in a threat environment. Just two long days after receiving the aircraft, it was towed out onto the testing area ready for flight trials under a Chinook. Although all Chinook crews are trained in carrying underslung loads, as the load was non-standard, a crew from the Rotary Wing Operational Evaluation and Training Unit based at RAF Benson was chosen because of their considerable trials experience.

Totally oblivious to the raging snowstorm that arrived at the same time as the Chinook, the team lifted the Lynx under the guidance of the section project officer. A whole series of profiles were flown to collate information such as safe flying speeds, maximum angles of bank, rates of descent or anything that could affect the handling characteristics of the load. Once safely back on the ground, one part of the team quickly de-rigged the AH9A ready for onward shipping to theatre, whilst the helicopter team set about writing the report and producing rigging diagrams for acceptance by the Project Team (PT) who, as the trial sponsor, have the final authority to declare the load safe.

Further to pre-planned trials, HS also responds to situations where trials are just not possible. Classed as un-cleared loads, examples include crashed or damaged aircraft, and occasional civil emergency requests for help lifting fallen trees, assisting in building temporary bridges, or manoeuvring large radio masts for example. None of these types of loads can possibly be trialled, so the expertise of the section is applied first hand-first time, to meet the request.

AERIAL DELIVERY SECTION (AD).

The AD section is responsible for designing load restraining procedures and despatch solutions for new-to-service equipment or redesigned aerial delivery systems, where the load is delivered from an aircraft by parachute.

Heavily involved in Operation Herrick trials, in February 2010, AD was tasked with a relatively small trial that was extremely important to the troops patrolling in Afghanistan. This was the improved aerial delivery of medical equipment, food rations and drinking water. Known as soft stores, dropping these fragile items by parachute from the back of a Hercules often damages the supplies, so much so that up to 20% of those dropped can be unusable. JADTEU was asked to solve the problem, and improve stores survivability. The AD team looked at available containers strong enough to withstand being dropped from an aircraft. This started with a simple ground assessment followed by a static gantry drop which simulated the rate of descent of the store in theatre. Once successful gantry drops had been established the project then proceeded to live airdrop trials.

A simple solution has been developed whereby the stores are loaded into a large bag similar to those used to deliver building materials. This is then strengthened using wooden boards. The rigged loads are despatched using the Container Delivery System, which uses gravity to get the loads out of the aircraft, allowing them to descend to the ground under parachute. This method is very quick, very simple and relatively cheap but highly effective.

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Not all AD tasks are as simple or as quick. Some like the recently concluded Platform Universal Rigid Inflatable Boat Aerial Delivery (PURIBAD) trial can take a considerable time. This is a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) aerial delivery system that due to operational changes had to be redesigned and as a consequence had to undergo a new trial.

Occasionally, problems arise where air drops do not go to plan. When this happens, either during a trial or on operations in-theatre, it falls to the AD as the investigating authority to assess all aspects of the maldrop as it is known. Many things or aspects can contribute to a maldrop; an incorrect tie-down scheme being applied, failure of equipment such as the tie down strops or chains or the failure of the actual load or equipment being dropped. Even the flight characteristics of the aircraft dropping the load are checked as this also has a tremendous bearing on a successful, safe drop. From these very extensive assessments a report is produced along with the accompanying photographs wherever possible. This is then passed up the command chain to no 2 Group Headquarters for appropriate action to be implemented.

AIRPORTABILITY SECTION (AP).

The AP section has designed tie-down schemes as UROs for several heavily armoured vehicles recently procured for use in Afghanistan to counteract Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). Two examples are the new Warthog tracked armoured cross country vehicle and the 19-tonne Ridgeback Fighting Vehicle. This new vehicle is so large the only RAF aircraft capable of transporting it by air is the C17 Globemaster III. Again, the task of designing and proving a safe and efficient system of air transporting the vehicle could only be carried out by JADTEU. It is not only Army vehicles that have recently been the object of trials by the AP section. The Merlin Helicopter now deployed to Afghanistan was also the subject of extensive trials when it and its C-17 loading frame was trialled at JADTEU. Currently there are around 72 active AP projects underway some very short term, some lasting several months and in several long-term

A JADTEU Air Portability Team Loading a Rough Terrain Container Handler onto a C-17.

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procurement projects, years. Last year alone the AP section completed 96 field trials of various types. Consequently, it would be a very inefficient use of assets if aircraft were to be taken out of service every time JADTEU required an airframe for a trial. To enable JADTEU to calculate and formulate load tie-down schemes in a timely manner without Squadrons constantly requesting their aircraft back, the AP section has full-size representative fuselage simulators of most of the major air transport assets flown by the RAF, Mock-ups. These include the C-17, C-130J, Chinook and having been requested early by JADTEU, the yet to be introduced Airbus A400M. The early procurement of the A400M fuselage mock-up has allowed the AP section to begin trialling and formulating tie-down schemes for all equipment expected to be carried in the aircraft. The early involvement of the AP section in the A400M project resulted in the subsequent redesign of the A400M floor tie-down scheme as first proposed by the manufacturer, EADS.

AIRBORNE TRIALS SECTION (ATS).

This section is responsible for trialling any equipment or system used for delivering personnel by parachute. As such, anything carried by, or strapped to, a UK military person parachuting from a fixed-wing or rotary aircraft has to undergo trials to ensure its suitability for the task, and more importantly, to ensure it does not endanger the person.

Working with several other agencies, the ATS initially conducts ground operational and evaluation tests to assess the suitability of the equipment. It then enters a flight trial period to confirm its safe operation during a whole series of flight envelope parameters. These include a number of despatch procedures at varying aircraft speeds and various dropping heights which can be as low as 600 feet by static line to high-altitude free fall.

Once evaluated, all findings and results are collated and produced for the trial sponsor before an appropriate air publication is published.

TRAINING SECTION (TS)

The TS is the only UK Tri-service provider responsible for training all military personnel, several civilian agencies, and an increasing number of foreign military forces, to become proficient helicopter abseiling and fast roping instructors. In total an average of 10 abseiling instructor courses and 12 fast rope courses are run each year. Helicopter fast roping is of particular importance to the RN and RM Board and Search operations. Added to these are approximately 20 Helicopter Handling Instructor courses and a number of Unit Enplanement Officers courses. With the current emphasis heavily centred on Helicopters in theatre, the number of courses has been increased to ensure sufficient instructors are trained to instruct troops to operate with helicopters safely. The courses have recently been reviewed to include more detailed casualty evacuation training (CASEVAC).

The TS is currently promoting an initiative whereby the TS reaches out into other areas of operations to promote the training and expertise available. One proactive example is a programme underway where JADTEU take a team into front line Army Brigades to show what training support is available to them. To gain first hand front line knowledge on how training is implemented and skills maintained during operations, instructors from TS are tasked to visit Forward Operating Bases to assess and reappraise current training methods within an operational context.

15

ENGINEERING SUPPORT SECTION (ES)

ES Provides specialist engineering support and airworthiness advice to JADTEU trials sections, Industry and MOD Project Teams.

Association for Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluat ion Unit

Many units and squadrons have Associations, which enable past and current members to meet periodically, to enjoy social functions and to partake in visits to other units. Some Associations have been in existence for many years and are extremely active. Early in 1999 a Joint Air Transport Establishment (JATE) /Joint Air Transport Evaluation Unit (JATEU) /Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) committee was formed with the aim of determining the level of support amongst serving members for a JATE/JATEU/JADTEU Association and the initial response was overwhelming. The majority of serving members joined and the search is on to find former members and invite them to enrol as members of the JATE/JATEU/JADTEU Association. As part of their campaign to attract former members of JATE and JATEU to the Association, the JATE/JATEU/JADTEU Association Committee (JAC) placed advertisements in various military newspapers such as the Focus and Soldier. They also hope that those who are in contact with former JATE/JATEU/JADTEU members will contact them and spread the word. They do not believe it will be necessary to levy an annual fee, however, there is a membership fee of 5 to cover the incidental expenses.

If you are a former member of JATE, JATEU or JADTEU and any of its ancestors and you decide to join the JATE/JATEU/JADTEU Association. A membership form can be obtained by contacting the Membership Secretary. Meanwhile, if you should have any questions regarding Association Membership, please do not hesitate to contact the JAC Secretary, +44(0)1993 896282 or the Membership Secretary on +44(0)1993 897843

16

FROM THE 540 by Ian Berry

1970 40 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER

Ouston Exercise Gold Tint. Flt Lt Morton plus 4. Recovery of freight and personnel of 1 Sqn

(Harriers) from Northumberland to Wittering.

Leuchars Exercise Lime Jug. Flt Lt Meikle plus 5. Deployment of 11 & 43 Sqns (Lightnings)

to Decimomannu.

NOVEMBER

Beirut Special. Flt Lt Alan Johnston plus 5. Delivery of Boeing 707 Simulator to Lebanon on

Belfast 6763.

17

Biggin Hill Historical Aircraft Move. Fg Off Green plus 3. Airlift of Bristol Scout to Leuchars and then a Sopwith Camel from Leuchars to St Athan.

DECEMBER

Topcliffe Exercise Hospider. Flt Lt Bill Wellman plus 4. Deployment of 16 Sqn RAF Regt to

Machrihanish.

Wildenrath Special. Fg Off Knight plus 4. Rotation of Scout helicopters of 131 Flt AAC in

Germany.

1975 35 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER

Mashad Special. Flt Lt Gordon Townsend, FS Dave Wright, Sgt Geordie Sanderson, Cpl

Dave Cromb, SACs Hoppy Porter and Dave Moss. Recovery of personnel and

freight of 13 Sqn (Canberras) from Iran to UK.

Piarco Trimi Special. Flt Lt Simon plus 5. Delivery of Royal Navy spares to HMS Nubian in

Trinidad.

NOVEMBER

McChord AFB Special. Wg Cdr JD Lambert plus 5 Collection of Mk44 Torpedoes from

Washington State to UK.

North Island Special. Sgt Paddy Harper plus 2. Collection of F4 Phantom Wing Tips from

San Diego for transfer to UK.

DECEMBER

Khartoum Exercise Jowar/Sulphurous/Swift Tiger. Fg Off Andy Spinks plus 5. Rotation of

Parachute Brigade between Sudan and UK.

18

Belize Roulement. Flt Lt Mike Perks plus 2.Rotation of 1Bn Gloster Regt and 1Bn Devon &

Dorsets between Belize and UK.

1980 30 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER

Most UK Airports & Sea Ports Exercise Crusader 80. Deployment of 2 Inf Div from UK to Germany. Most of Sqn involved in manning detachments.

Gatwick Det accommodated at Caterham Barracks with the Coldstream Guards

Wattisham Exercise Flush Beam. Fg Off Tom James plus 5. Deployment of personnel and

equipment of 23 Sqn (Phantoms) to Cyprus for an APC.

NOVEMBER

Nellis/Patrick/Barksdale Exercise Giant Voice. Fg Off Bob Parker, FS Ian Berry, Sgt Irvine, Flt Lt Alan Ovens, Sgt Hugh Curran, Cpl Stu Whitton. Deployment of pax and freight to Nellis & Patrick by half teams and then meet at Barksdale to recover Vulcan Wing back to Scampton.

n.b . Whilst staying overnight at the Aladdins on the Strip the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino opposite caught fire and over 80 people died. We saw it all across the car park!

Patrick/Andros Exercise Trial Malm/Reva. Flt Lt Bateman plus 5. two month detachment to

Florida to assist with deployment and recovery of torpedoes from AUTEC.

19

DECEMBER

Bardufoss Exercise Rjukan. FS Eddie Grace plus 2. Recovery of 3 Cdo Bde from Norway to UK.

Lossiemouth/Bruggen Exercise Gaellic Gallop.FS Mick McMahon plus 6. Recovery of

personnel and freight of 17 Sqn (Jaguars) from Scotland to Germany.

1985 25 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER

Patrick AFB Operation Red Kite. Fg Off Mike Stephenson, FS Clive Hall, Sgt Dick Colman,

Cpl Brian Harper, SACs Ginge Barrett & Dave Spencer. In-Theatre support to the trials of Spearfish/Stingray/Mk46 torpedoes at AUTEC Andros Island.

Billund Exercise Hardy Force. Sgt Gerry Muffett plus 4. Deployment of pax and freight of 1

Sqn (Harriers) to Denmark from Wittering.

NOVEMBER

Nairobi Exercise Game Spirit. Fg Off Steve Harpum, FS Jim Buchanan, Sgt Hugh Curran

plus 3. Deployment of 1Bn Kings Regt to Kenya.

Ellsworth AFB Exercise Prairie Vortex. Flt Lt Beverley plus 5. Recovery of 27 & 57 Sqn

(Victors) from South Dakota to Marham.

DECEMBER

Accra Exercise Kangaroo Mercury. Fg Off Andy Kime plus 5. Recovery of 30 Sigs Sqn and

TCW from Ghana to UK.

Salalah/Seeb Exercise Sandy Wanderer. OC UKMAMS plus 3. Deployment of elements of

SAS to Salalah and rations for 2 Para in Oman.

20

1990 20 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER

Most of the tasking concerned the deployment of 7 Armoured Brigade to the Gulf as part of the build up of Operation Granby. Detachments included:

Akrotiri - Sgt Al Randle plus 10

Dhahran - Flt Lt Simon Hawkins plus 3

Bahrain - Fg Off Jolyn Harrington plus 4

Minhad - Flt Lt Geoff Green plus 3

Seeb - Fg Off Dolan plus 3

Riyadh - Flt Lt Guy Lendon plus 9

Tabuk - Flt Lt Roly Barth plus 1

Al Jubayl - Fg Off Stu Dainton, Fg Off Flint plus 9

NOVEMBER

Extremely vague info in 540..

Paris-Orly Special. To recover u/s Tornado

Lisbon Exercise Sea Soldier. Recovery of Royal Marines from Portugal.

DECEMBER

Operation Granby . The major task during December was to ensure that the max amount of MAMF personnel managed to get some of the 23 days Christmas stand-down as directed by HQSTC. Between 2-8 December OC UKMAMS visited all the MAMS Detachments in the Gulf. The manning at King Khalid Airport was increased to 24 personnel to be arranged into three shifts, each with an Officer and FS. By this stage 61 personnel were detached to the Gulf area.

21

Nairobi Exercise Grand Prix. Flt Lt Simon Hawkins, WO Ian Berry, Cpls Stu Whitton & Doug

Russell, SAC Craig Fitches plus 1. Scratch Team of shift personnel and Tourex

so as to relieve MAMF. Rotation of Infantry battalion in Kenya.

1995 15 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER

Djibouti Special. Sgt John Pert plus 1. Rotation of crew of HMS Monmouth in French

Somalia.

Sigonella Special. Sgt Sean Woodcock plus 2. Rotation of crew of HMS Battleaxe in Sicily.

NOVEMBER

Zaragoza IALCE. Fg Off McLean plus 5. UK Movs support to IALCE Exercise in Spain.

Albecete Exercise Ardent Ground. Sgts Wood & Wright plus 4. Deployment of 16 Sqn RAF

Regt to Spain.

DECEMBER

Yuma Exercise Arid Thunder. Sgt Paddy Power plus 3. Deployment of personnel and

equipment of 617 Sqn (Tornados) to Arizona.

Oceana Special. Flt Lt Dave Jarvis plus 2. Recovery of Nimrod Detachment from USA to

Kinloss.

2000 10 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER

Freetown Operation Basilica. Flt Lt McGrath, FS Bob Simmonds, Cpl Dinger Bell & SAC

Stubbs. Resupply of British Forces in Sierra Leone.

Heraklion Special. FS Mick Maybery, Cpl Brown, SACs Marshall and Haggerstone.

Deployment of AAC gazelle helicopters to Crete for onmove on to HMS Ocean.

NOVEMBER

Butterworth Exercise Suman Warrior. FS Mick Mayberry, Cpl Steph Morrison, SAC

Sansome. Deployment of 16 AA Bde to Malaya.

22

Aviano Exercise Joint Guardian. FS Steve Gelder, Sgt Garry Pym, SAC Cross. Rotation of 8 & 23 Sqn (E3 AWAC) between Italy and Waddington.

DECEMBER

Asmara Special. Sgt Mackay, Cpls Best & Crake. Transport of ATLAS Loader from

Lyneham to Asmara for use by Dutch Marines on UN Duties in Eritrea.

Belize Exercise Native Trail. FS Neil Baldock, Cpl Best, SAC Marshall. Recovery of 1Bn

RGBW from Belize to UK.

2005 5 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER

Davis Monthan AFB Exercise Torpedo Focus. Sgt Kev Skinner, Cpl Wright, SACs Harris &

Robinson, FS Viv Neary-Phillips (Route Checker) Deployment to Davis

Monthan AFB to facilitate the recovery of the North American PEP

using Tristar KC1 Config 2, 2 x C17. FS Neary-Phillips utilised this task

to conduct a route check on Sgt Skinner.

Prestwick/Dubai RN Crew Change. FS Baz Murphy, Cpl Douse, SAC Temple. Change over

of HMS Spartan Submarine crew changeover in Dubai. Task also included

deployment of a serviceable periscope for same vessel.

Regrettably at the moment I have no more 540 inform ation for November 2005 till the demise of UKMAMS but we are working on it!

23

I remember the 2009 competition, well bits of it certainly! There was I on the last evening sitting enjoying a nice pint of Guinness having finished off a very pleasant meal and seen all the winners (not me or my team) collecting trophies and Digger Barnes announced that, as he was about to leave the RAF, he would no longer be able to organise next years event. It was then that I had what I can only describe as an out of body experience. I saw someone stand up and say in a broad Geordie accent I will do it. Bloody fool I was beginning to think then I realised it was me! Too late to take it back now as everyone was applauding me.

I spent the next couple of months waking up in cold sweats thinking my god what have I done, is there anyway I can get out of this. Realising that I couldnt (and didnt really want to, if the truth be known) I decided to get my finger out and start organising.

The first thing I needed to do was find somewhere new to hold the event as, during closing speeches at China Fleet I put it to the vote to see how many people fancied a change. The result was just about unanimous, find a new venue. Thanks to the internet I thought this would be relatively easy, wrong!! There are hundreds of courses touting for business. It was thanks to Dougie Betambeau who steered me in the direction of Trethorne. I phoned them up to see what offers they could let me have and they impressed me from the outset with their professional and friendly manner. Val (my wife) and I, along

THE AIR MOVEMENTS TRADE

GOLF COMPETITION 2010

THE DAVE WALL MEMORIAL

24

with Taff and Debbie Wood were travelling down to Devon at the end of September for a weekend break and I asked Taff if he fancied a game of golf at Trethorne to see the place, if the course and all suited I would provisionally book dates for June 2010. Well to cut a long story short (shorter) we felt the place fitted the bill very nicely and I decided then that Trethorne was where the 2010 Air Movements trade Golf Competition would be held.

The next thing I decided I should do was to try to get some sponsorship of some sort. I had already gotten off to a good start as Colin Allen promised me some money from the UKMAMS Association. I didnt want to get just any firm to give us some money. I wanted companies with a Movements slant to be involved. Not only to keep it in the family to sort of speak but also I wanted any company who did agree to give us some dosh to enter a team into the competition and if they employed, or were owned by ex Movers there would be a better chance that they would participate. I wrote to 5 companies of which 2 answered with the promise of money to help obtain trophies and prizes. Thank you Heavyweight Air Express and KBR.

That done, I did an Admin Order and a Poster and sent these off to Movers worldwide. Once the Admin Order was written it was an easy task to send this off to the RAF Sports Board to get Sports Board Authorisation. I got a reply in a couple of days, so for all those still serving it meant that the Competition would be classed as duty therefore duty travel could be used and no leave was needed!

It was then just a case of waiting for the entry monies to come in, pay Trethorne buy the trophies arrange with the golf course accommodation plot, tee off times, meals etc, etc. It was late in the day when I got a call from AMSS asking if I still wanted money to purchase Trophies! I thanked them very much and explained that was all taken care of but would they please still enter a team? They said yes and perhaps instead of giving us money for trophies they could maybe put some money behind the bar to buy us all a drink, I said that I thought this was a very good idea!! Due to very large last minute equipment orders, AMSS were unfortunately unable to enter a team in the competition. I do hope they can make it next year; it would be good to see them.

We all arrived at Trethorne on the first day and had a practice round to familiarise ourselves with the course. Despite travelling down in solid rain it eased off and set fair for the practice round and we were blessed with good weather throughout the competition. At the BBQ that evening words of welcome and on golfing etiquette were spoken by yours truly to a captivated audience! I didnt even get any hecklers! Well apart from Oz Oswald and all the rest of the competitors! And non golfers!

So after a few refreshing drinks we all took ourselves to bed early none the worse for wear or nowt like that! Now listen, I could tell you the gory details of a couple of dozen or so acts of perversion that happened in the bar over the 3 days, but they were so profound and disgusting that decorum prohibits me from listing them here!! Needless to say we all partied hard and enjoyed ourselves as only movers can.

So the golf competition began in earnest (with quite a few hangovers). The standard of golf was as always up and down. The good golfers played good golf and the bad golfers tried very hard. After 2 days of hard fought competition the results were gathered and after a fantastic meal the prizes and trophies awarded.

The results were as follows:

25

Best Gross: Dixie Dean who shot a combined score o f 171.

Individual Stableford Winners:

1st - 67 points. 2 nd - 66 points. 3 rd - 65 points.

Phil Clayton. John Billingsly Jai Cookson

Winners pictured with Richard Thackeray of Heavywei ght Air Express

Team Stableford Winners:

1st 187 points - Vets 1. 2 nd 178 points - Vets 5. 3 rd 168 points - Vets 3.

Best Gross score day 2: Phil Clayton 81.

Nearest the Pin day 1: Oz Oswald.

Nearest the Pin day 2: Terry Davies.

Longest Drive 1: Ian Anslow.

Longest Drive 2: Leon Reece.

Secret Pairs: Dixie Dean & Si Cruse 123 points.

Most golf played: Tony Geerah.

2s: Day 1: Merv Johns, Taff Wood & Tony Geerah.

Day 2: Dixie Dean.

Jai Cookson, John Conduit,

Dave Eggleton and John

Billingsley

Dixie Dean, Magic Daniels Bob Turner, Terry Davies, Neil

Jenkinson and Colin Allen

26

Congratulations to all those who won prizes and commiserations to all those who didnt. Better luck next time. After all the prize giving we partied hard and long into the night. The package Trethorne gave us also included golf on the very last day and a lot of us took advantage of this to work off any remaining hangover before setting off back home.

The event would not have turned out nearly quite as good if I had organised it on my own. I would like once again to take this opportunity to thank the following people:

The UKMAMS Association, Heavyweight Air Express and KBR for sponsoring the competition.

AMSS for putting money behind the bar and donating 100 to Help for Heroes.

All the staff at Trethorne Golf Course for their help, kindness and hospitality.

Dougie Betambeau for sorting out the Vets, and for furnishing me with advice and opinion whenever I asked him and Colin Allen for censoring all my written work and providing me with advice and opinion whenever I asked him.

Terry Roberts and Gordon Black for organising and running the raffle. Terry Davies for help with the competition format and helping me choose the Trophies and Prizes and general advice. Taff Wood for helping me recce the course and giving me encouragement whenever I phoned him to discuss a doubt I had with anything.

It could not have been that bad an experience organising this event (it was actually an honour) as I am organising next years too. Look out for information in the not too distant future and I hope to see as many golfers (and non golfers) as possible at Trethorne next June.

Geordie RochesterGeordie RochesterGeordie RochesterGeordie Rochester.

Businesses Battle To Save Lyneham

Army plan would avoid potential 90 million-pound ' black hole' say traders Wootton Bassett business leaders are urging people to join their 'Save Lyneham' campaign. RAF operations are due to end there in 2012 after more than 50 years, and many believe the impending closure spells economic disaster for the local community. "We could see a loss of perhaps 50% in places like Wootton Bassett," says local entrepreneur Eddy Shah, owner of the Wiltshire Golf Club. "The consequences are very serious. The RAF base is essential in this area and businesses of all kinds rely on it. The relocation of thousands of personnel to Brize Norton is a huge blow and we must all act now to limit the damage."

27

Not only Wootton Bassett, but Lyneham, Calne, Malmesbury and other North Wiltshire communities will all suffer economically with the closure of RAF Lyneham. Estimates talk of up to a 50% loss in trade for local towns which could turn this area into an economic wasteland. The Chambers of Commerce across North Wiltshire have joined forces to campaign for replacement employment at Lyneham when the RAF vacates the base in 2012. Six Chambers of Commerce have united in trying to persuade the MoD to favour Lyneham as a future Army base. The Army is considering merging some of the smaller technical and supply bases in Wiltshire, and Lyneham is big enough to take the amalgamation and have room for returning troops from Germany. It makes economic and geographic sense - and could be a solution to save our towns."That would be an ideal solution," commented Wootton Bassett butcher, Andy Crump, who also backs the scheme. Other Ideas put forward include a theme park on the 2,500 acre site. "To just see RAF Lyneham close without anything replacing it is a huge concern. Everyone here is so used to dealing with people from the base it's become a such a big part of life here, not least the way the Town turns out to honour those flown into Lyneham from Afganistan." A final decision is expected by the Ministry of Defence later this year.

To add your support do one or all of the following now:

Write to North Wiltshire MP James Gray - http://www.jamesgray.org/mp/

Join the Facebook campaign - facebook.com/lynehamneedsyou

Sign the online petition - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savelyneham/