Squadron News – September 2009

September 2009

From 3 – 7 Sep 09, Flt Lts Jamie Norris, Mark Robertson and Lt Ben Stubbs RN flew to the Czech Republic to support the Czech International Air Fest (CIAF), an international airshow in Hradec Králové Airport near Prague. The pilots were supported by a small team of Sqn engineers who travelled the 1650 miles round trip via ferry and road with overnight stops in Leipzig and Wurzburg. Being the first team to arrive for the airshow the 3 Harrier GR9s were parked at what was to be the entrance to the event. The engineers arranged the aircraft into a static display for the duration of the airshow which began at 0900 on Sat 5 Sep and finished at 1800 on Sun 6 Sep. Positive feedback was received from members of the public with a strong urge to see the Harrier again at next year’s CIAF. With 2 fuel leaks, a missing fastener and a battery that wouldn’t switch off, the engineers were kept busy with the detached aircraft.

Two groups each of 10 engineering personnel from the Sqn took part in Ex SUMMER EAGLE, a week of Adventure Training in Wales from 14-17 Sep 09 and 21-25 Sep 09. The Ex, which included canoeing, white water rafting, mountain biking and high/low ropes, was designed to trial a new concept in decompression training for troops returning from operations in Afghanistan.

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