RAF Regt

17 Jan 01

Dan, thanks for signing the guestbook, I tried to email you but it bounced, can you send me your email address again so that I can drop you a line, thanks.

Tim

28 Jan 01

Some photos have been added to the Cyprus page, and some things to come by request are Cyprus Uncovered...the social life and as I was the tour photographer for the Rugby club tour to Egypt in 1991 it's time they went on the web! Watch this space!

Tim

30 Jan 01

Three Hercules flown by crews from Lyneham--based 47 and 70 Squadrons dropped members of 2 Squadron RAF Regiment in to Sierra Leone heralding a two-week exercise in live-firing and jungle warfare. The Hercules arrived within seconds of their deadline, having flown from the RAF base on Ascension Island, four hours away from the drop zone. Wg Cdr Simon Footer, officer commanding 70 Squadron and the appointed air commander for the air-drop, said: "This is a demonstration to the people of Sierra Leone that we are capable of rapidly inserting troops to create a significant force on the ground." Led by 47 Squadron's Flt Lt Mark Raymond, the Hercules flew over three times, off-loading 32 gunners on each wave, and created a spectacular sight from the ground. However, despite an earlier warning on the local radio, the event initially caused bemusement among the inhabitants of the surrounding villages who ran for cover and then emerged gingerly to enjoy the spectacle from their ringside seats.

Taken from the RAF News

06 Mar 01 Hereford Times

It is with sadness that I report the death of Martin Bonness ex I & II Sqns

SAS death in `million to one' two car crash

A `MILLION to one chance' accident has caused the death of a serving member in 22 Special Air Service Regiment based at Credenhill. Martin Bonness, a 33-year-old Royal Air Force NCO attached to the SAS, died when two cars each containing colleagues from the Regiment collided head-on at Allensmore, near Lock's Garage, last Friday evening. Three other soldiers were injured, one seriously. Two remain in hospital at Hereford. The dead man, a passenger in one of the cars, had been in the Regiment for some time. He was married with three children and lived in the city.

It is understood all the men were on duty at the time of the fatal crash. They are believed to have been taking part in an exercise, involving road training in vehicles. A funeral service is planned for St Martin's Church, Hereford. The NCO's death is another severe blow for the Regiment's D Squadron. At the end of last August three of his colleagues died within weeks of each other, all of them on duty. Two of the men were killed when the vehicle in which they were traveling overturned on a road in Kenya. The third died during a hostage rescue mission in Sierra Leone. An inquest into the latest loss was opened by the county coroner yesterday, Wednesday, February 28, and adjourned as inquiries continue.

09 Mar 01

In response to Tony P's entry in the guest book...If the exercise in the USA had been wonderful and Bosnia absolutely fantastic...you never know I might have stayed in...doubt it though !!! Drop me a line Mr. P if you get a chance, still on Trg Wng?

Regards

Tim

28 Mar 01 The Irish Times Web Site

RAF Regt ........ get the best jobs!!!!!

The British government has called in the army to slaughter animals for the first time as the culling of livestock to control foot-and-mouth disease continues. Seven army butchers will help in the cull of animals at a former RAF base in Great Orton, Cumbria. A British ministry of defence spokesman said: "Until now the military have only been involved to help the logistics and organisation of the cull. Tomorrow they will help to kill the animals." Six men from 34 Squadron RAF Regiment based at Leeming, Yorkshire, will help the culling programme in the county. Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics confirmed a census in England and Wales this year will go ahead. The Government here has postponed the State’s census until 2002. British Officials are stressing special arrangements will be implemented in the countryside to ensure foot-and-mouth could not be spread by census-takers. The British government has also signalled vaccination could be used in the battle against foot-and-mouth disease. The use of pigswill - identified as a possible cause of the outbreak - will also be banned. There are now 704 cases of foot-and-mouth in the UK, including one case in Northern Ireland.

16 Apr 01

Steve Jones (Jonah) who I was on 34 with sent me some photos which I have added...even one of me! By request I've included a page on QCS. (Under Duress!)

10 May 2001 RAF News

New Regiment squadron forms

A new RAF Regiment field squadron was formed at Lossiemouth on May 8 with a high readiness state for short notice overseas deployments. No 51 Squadron RAF Regiment will be commanded by Sqn Ldr David Devoy and when fully formed will have around 160 personnel on its strength.

Tim's Comment: Nice to see and much needed as declaring QCS as a fully operational Field Squadron was not very honest! Who's going to man it though? The other Field Squadrons were on average 30 Gunners short per Squadron last I heard.

13 June 2001

Mark "Biff" Bailey has sent me a few photos which I have added to the site.

15 July 01

Message from Pete Tuite reference RAF Regiment Diving Association

Last year myself and a group of other budding Rocks formed the RAF Regiment Diving Association (ROCKSAC). It is open to any serving member of the Regt or attached personnel to any Sqn. The aim is to introduce the sport or develop current divers. The association is registerd with the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC). There is an exped to Gibraltar in Oct for 12 divers, there are still places available. Next year we are planning an exped to Assension Island. If anyone wants anymore gen on the association then drop me an email. Hopefully in the not to distance future the association will be open to ex Rocks. Remember guys its your Diving club, so lets hear from you!

Regards

Pete (Trg Officer ROCKSAC) petetuite@hotmail.com

16 August 2001

Andy Johnson sent me some photos.

17 September 2001 BBC News Online

Suffolk RAF base sends troops to Kuwait

Troops from a Suffolk air base have been flown to the Middle East as the possibility of conflict between the West and terrorist groups in Afghanistan grows. Members of 15 Squadron RAF regiment, based at RAF Honington, have been deployed to Kuwait. They will guard an air base containing British and American personnel in what RAF Honington has described as a "precautionary measure".

Flight Lieutenant Gina Humphrey, spokesperson for RAF Honington, said: "The deployment of an element of number 15 Squadron over the weekend is not in reaction to any specific threat. "However every ministry of defence base world-wide has increased security awareness and as a result of this, additional personnel from RAF Honington have been deployed to further enhance force protection of RAF assets."

RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, is home to British and American service men and women.
Security at another Suffolk base, RAF Lakenheath, has also been increased and a road has been closed with concrete barriers.

22 September 2001

Chris Bown sent me some more photos.