TEAM BRIEF

TEAM BRIEF
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE UKMAMS ASSOCIATION ISSUE 47 Summer 2003
Another quiet day at Kuwait
International Airport !!
INSIDE THIS EDITION:
Where Are They Now
Life on UKMAMS Jan- May 2003
Letters to the Editor
Dave Wall Memorial Golf
Ian Berry retires!
WO Ian Berry opens the bubbly after his last shift

The Editor, Team Brief, UKMAMS Association, PO Box 1126, Swindon, Wilts, SN5
7WB. E-mail:
ukmamseditor@hotmail.com
I am writing this once again between deployments. A very busy time for us on the Squadron at the moment.
Needless to say the HQ is particularly quiet with the majority of the Squadron away in one place or another.
There’s just the frantic sounds of the Ops staff trying to keep a track of what’s happening. On the up side we now
have a glut of photographs for this edition, and personally I feel the photographs tell a far better story than any
amount of rambling from the current 540, and although it is slightly late (again) it’s the price we have to pay for
the editor being on MAMS. With the world events as they are there has had to be a few changes to this years social
calendar, most notably the annual meet and greet, AGM and open day. The AGM will now have a postal vote as
no firm date can be fixed. Voting slips are included in this edition. We have a huge number of members due for
renewal in June, so if you are one of them, don’t forget, and if you would like to make life easier for both yourself
and the treasurer, fill in one of the Direct Debit forms included in this issue. Staying with social events, there is a
Station family’s day planned for 12 Jul 03. Although the level of participation by UKMAMS is still undecided
there will be a BBQ with an open invite to all Association members, and the bar will be open!!
There has been a rapid decline in contact from members over previous months. There must still be a huge amount
of untold stories out there. If it doesn’t happen soon I’ll just have to pick a name at random and make something
up!!! Nice to see Ivan Gervais has been browsing the website, as my D/DAMO of 20 something years ago I’m sure
he won’t remember the spotty young LAC that’s now writing the “Team Brief”. I hope its bringing back some
good memories. Sadly, I also have to report the death, late last month of Al Storey. On the welfare side, Sam has
had a change of telephone number. If you need to contact him for any reason he can be reached on 01793 636413.
Finally, aside from the ongoing Ops the other momentous occasion during May was the retirement of WO Ian
Berry. I have known him personally for a little over 20 years, working for him on numerous occasions. His name is
known throughout the movements world, striking terror into Junior officers and airman alike. I don’t know where
this reputation came from as I have always had nothing but help and friendly advice from him (if you include 11D
exercises at home helpful!!!). With a little help from his wife, Christine, and some of Ian’s friends, I have managed
to reproduce some photographs, unfortunately I can’t put times, names and places with them all. Perhaps Ian can
fill in the gaps in the next issue!!! I hope you all enjoy it, including you, Ian.
Mick
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WO Ian Berry Retires
With help from his wife, Christine and a few “friends”, here’s some snaps of Ian in various stages of his career. Its
amazing how willing people have been to provide pictures of Ian. It may have something to do with the eagerness
with which he willingly exposes any misdemeanor, usually with a look of sheer joy on his face.
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Signing tha DAMO’s log for the last time
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to put places or dates to most of these photographs. I’m hoping Ian
will do that for me, with a little story, for the next edition!!!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW, WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
By Ian Berry
George Graves (ex-FEAF MAMS) now lives and works in Carlisle. Ian Newlands (Wee Foddy) has not
renewed his membership for quite a while now, Ian lives in Didcot where he works as a HGV1 driver for
Parcelforce. Derek Barron now lives in Calne and works for the local Council as well as running a
market stall. Harvey Heath lives in Suffolk and works for the USAF at Mildenhall Air Base. Simon
Spence took a commission many years ago in the Secretarial Branch and is presently a Wing
Commander and is Station Commander at RAF High Wycombe. Don Cannon as far as we are aware is
still serving and presently holds the rank of Group Captain. Kit Kitson now lives in Doddington in
Cambs and works in the Prison Service. David Powell lives in Princes Risborough in Bucks and works
in that area. John Hunter is still serving and is presently a Sqn Ldr working in MOD. Viv Neary-Phillips
is also still serving and is presently a Sgt stationed at Gander in Newfoundland where he is one of the
two RAF Liaison Officers. John McClymont lives locally in Wootton Bassett and works in Swindon for
the Royal Mail. Ian Bell spent a few years flying as a Loadmaster on DC8 Freighters after leaving the
RAF but after walking away from a crash in Port Harcourt he decided to stay on the ground. He now
lives and works on Masirah Island in Oman for Dyna-Corp in support of the US Department of Defence.
Gus Cobb also lives locally in Wootton Bassett and also works for the Royal Mail. Alan Pratt lives in
Rotherham, North Yorks and worked in a local Steel Works. Geoff Haines (ex-MAMS MT) took
redundancy some years ago and now lives locally in Wootton Bassett and works for Signal Track. Eric
Batty lives in Carterton and works in the Supply Squadron at Brize Norton, he had a heart attack early
last year but has fully recovered and is now ‘toying’ with the idea of moving to Spain. Steve Biggs until
recently lived in Swindon, he worked as a Loadmaster/Flight Operations Manager for Heavylift until their
recent demise. Steve Frewin left the RAF some years ago and initially worked for British Airways as a
Cargo Manager, he now works in the local area for a chain of garages and lives in Calne. Dave Salmon
(Pinky) left the service some two years ago and now lives in the USA where he has re-married. Pat
Lynch now lives in Molesley, Surrey and works in that area. Iain Rowlands is still serving and is
presently a FSgt working as part of the Joint Air Movements sqn at RAF Akrotiri. Syd Avery lives in
Luton and has for many years flown with TNT/Air Foyle as a Flight Operations Manager on the Ukranian
charterd AN124 Ruslan heavylift aircraft. Martin Gledhill lives in Heckmondwike in North Yorks and
works in the local area. Mike Rowan lives in Swindon and until recently was the Head Loadmaster flying
DC8 freighters with Farne Air, he has recently taken up employment with another cargo Airline, possibly
Aer Turas. Jack Jones lives in Carterton and works locally at Brize Norton. Alick Simpson is still
serving and has recently completed a tour at Akrotiri, he is now a Warrant officer and is one of the
DAMO’s here at Lyneham although recently he was packing his bags ready to deploy to Basra! Stan
Hedley is now retired and lives in the Wynlarten area of Newcastle. Oz Oswald left the RAF on a
medical discharge with ailments blamed on his time in movements. Oz is now putting together a case
with legal aid in readiness to sue the MOD. John Conduit lives locally in Wootton Bassett although he
recently tried a stint in Thumrait working for Dyno-Corp but it didn’t work out, he is now employed in the
IT world. Bob Simmons is still serving as a FSgt although last year he was contemplating a PVR,
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however, he’s developed a taste for the rough life and spent last two Christmas’s in Afghanistan and the
Gulf. Keith Boosey lives locally in West Swindon and after working for many years with MAN Diesels
has recently retired. Chris Goss is still serving and is presently a Sqn Ldr, he has made quite a
reputation for himself in producing historical articles for the RAFA Magazine Air Mail. Terry Fryer lives in
Nottingham and as far as we know still works at East Midlands Airport. Mick Acaster lives in Leyland,
Lancs and works as a Prison Warder in the Prison Service. Bruce Phillips is still serving and until
recently was a Sqn Ldr in charge of the department producing Transops at 2 Group, High Wycombe.
Chris Trevelyan was last heard of living in Seattle in Washington State where he flew a twin engined
aircraft for the US Postal Service, we believe he may now have progressed onto Airline flying.
Notes from the Chairman
Gulf War – Great Job!
This is proving to be a momentous year for those serving on UKMAMS and for the
whole of the Movements Trade. As always, “First In” and likely to be “Last Out”
the movers have been doing a great job in the UK, Germany and in many locations in
the Gulf. The smaller Movements sections and Flights, world-wide, have also had to
cope with reduced staff so that personnel could join the war effort and, last but not
least, the reserves on 4624 Squadron have been mobilised yet again to support the
Trade. To all, I send my best wishes and respect for the excellent work you are
doing.
Association Welcomes All Movers
The UKMAMS Association has decided to open its doors to ALL Movers, past and present, who would like to
join and receive full membership rights in this Association. You are all welcome and I should explain that whilst,
largely for reasons of the constitution of the Association, the name remains the same, there is a genuine welcome
for all Movers. Another reason for not changing the name of the Association was that the small, but dedicated
committee that makes up the Council are drawn from people in the vicinity of Lyneham and we cannot risk losing
the original Association if the broader grouping does not attract sufficient membership and decides to fold. As it
stands, we are determined to keep the Association going and we have about 460 active members. Incidentally,
nearly a third is due to renew their membership this year and it is vital they do so if we are not to lose our strength.
The non-Lyneham people have yet to join in significant numbers. So please put the word about that they are
welcome and needed if the Association is to flourish.
Come to Social Events
As a result of the activities in the Gulf, the number of people at Lyneham is too small to lay on a special weekend
for the current Squadron and Association members. However, there are a couple of BBQs planned in the coming
months and the Squadron is very keen to see Association members to join them. The Association will be
subsidising elements of these social “dos”, so come and get your monies-worth!
Postal Votes Vital!
Exceptionally, we are proposing not to hold a formal AGM this year because the Gulf activities have reduced our
ability to hold one. Please send in your postal votes for the election of the Council as we need your votes to stay
legal!
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Time Nearly Up
It is hard to believe that I left the RAF nearly 10 years ago and that I have been your Chairman for 8 years.
Although I have been privileged to have attended most of the “Top Table” lunches in the Lyneham SNCOs’ Mess,
I feel that my “street cred” must be diminishing as I lose touch with the new Movers joining the Trade and the
Squadron and my uniforms gather dust in the wardrobe. I therefore anticipate stepping down in 2004. I wish you
all a great future and happy memories.
Bob Dixon
(Group Captain (Retd)
Life on UKMAMS
Jan – May 2003
I think it goes without saying that over recent months the Squadron has been extremely busy. The number of
locations covered around the Middle East has been enormous, and, while I haven’t been to all of them I had a
damned good go getting around the majority, usually in the back of a C17!!! Just as an example of the capabilities
of this aircraft, two of us moved 350,000 pounds of kit between various locations in one 38 hour task. How long,
and how many Hercs would it have taken to do that? For obvious reasons I can’t say where some of these
photographs were taken but hopefully it will give you all a good idea of what we have been up to. For those of you
involved in the first Gulf War I’m sure a lot of it will look very familiar, same people, same kit and the same
problems operating in a hot, dusty environment.
Months of training and years of experience as a
Mover can come in quite useful. The F16 pilots say
its easy to fly one of these. It must be, or Movers
would have to do it!! Sgt Mick Cocker shows the
Americans how its really done!! (It is me in there,
honest)
Brake test for the Henleys. Cpl Paul Crake
(Crakey) takes delivery of the ACHE. We’d actually
been there for two weeks, borrowing American
kit. This Henley had just arrived in theatre and
the brakes didn’t work, he was last seen heading
towards Kuwait city!!
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Early days and UKMAMS fly the flag. When the rest of
the detachment realised we had a prime spot, they
whined until we moved. SAC Amanda Baker, Cpl Paul
Crake and SAC “Frenchy” French have a cup of tea
after a hectic sandbag filling session. Notably absent
from the photo is Flt Lt Tony Randerson. I’d like to say
I knew where he was, but that was just pure
guesswork. Probably off doing some dodgy deal with
the Americans!!!
Another location and a busy apron. This was
shared with the Americans and space soon
became a premium. The USAF C130 in the
background was no competition for the AN124’s
chartered by the Brits. Although during the
recovery the Americans were, for some
unknown reason, still receiving 30 pallets at a
time inbound on 747’s. This soon blocked the
available space. And they still do not know why
they were still flying the kit in. The USAF
obviously have the same logistical chain as us!!!
Always assured of a warm welcome by the locals.
SAC’s “Hadders” Hadfield (second left) and Dave
Brown mingle and attempt to blend in. The chap on
the right appears to have found something
fascinating on the back of Dave’s shoe.
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The AN124’s came thick and fast. I have just
found out that for every tonne we fly in it seems
two tonnes needs to be recovered. How does
that happen? I have noticed over recent months
that the Russian language seems to consist of
shouting and many hand and arm gesticulations.
I wonder whether this is just Antonov crews or
the nation as a whole?
Atlas in the front hold of a 747. They came
in thick and fast in early February. Usually
with the holds bulk loaded , carrying 400
plus passengers. As you can imagine, a fairly
time consuming, manpower intensive
aircraft.
From the aircraft to the local transport. More
manpower required for this, also tying up the
ACHE. Although a lot of equipment moved around
in-theatre on the aircraft pallets, the same amount
again had to be broken down before leaving the
airheads.
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UKMAMS engineering Det? No, just a bit of
road building at Kuwait International Airport
prior to relocating the tents. The Hesco Bastion
to the right of the roller was the outer
perimeter of Fort Fletcher!!
A haircut for FS Taff Woods (seated right,
outside Fort Fletcher),and receiving a
Knighthood for the chap on his knee’s in the
background!!! Oh no, maybe they’re both
having a haircut.
Inside the inner sanctum! Sqn Ldr Simon
Fletcher (right) appears to have lulled the chap
in the foreground to sleep, while Cpl Clare
Marshall examines the flight board.
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Similar to the front cover. Another quiet
day at Kuwait International Airport!! The
aircraft would queue up patiently to be
offloaded, then even more patiently to get
back out of the chaos when exit became
free.
No prizes for guessing where this is, and
no the photograph is not back to front, its
taken from behind the sign on the roof of
the terminal building.
Same place, different view. I can’t honestly tell
you whether this is bringing this container in or
taking it out. Either way it’s a pretty good
picture, and it will keep all the JHSU members
happy!!
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This is what we were up against!! I know its
Russian, but can anybody tell me which. It’ll
be a fair bet that its either an Ilyushin or an
Antonov!! Whatever it is, its quite an
impressive gate guard.
Flt Lt Shaun Bellas in the thick of it again.
His short time on the Squadron has been
spent almost entirely on Ops. He’s now
left us to go back to Australia and
perhaps a semblance of normality. He’s
seen here with ? and SAC Paul Higgins.
They’re gathered at the back of one of
the new Atlas 2000, a marked
improvement on the predecessor. Well I
haven’t had one break down on me yet!!!
Same place, minus the Flt Lt. I can’t tell you the
content of the conversation, but whatever it was
appears to be fairly heated. They’re probably
arguing about whose going to drive the new Atlas!!
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I will just close this section by adding my thanks to those team members who took the trouble to provide a lot of
these photographs. As I said earlier, I got round quite a few locations in recent months, but by no means all of
them, and even when I was there I didn’t always have time to get the camera out. Its not always the right time to
stop the team for a pose shot in the middle of loading/unloading. I must get myself on one of those jobs where
there’s time to do that one day!!! Hope you enjoyed looking at them, and please feel free to write or e-mail me
with your comments. Mick.
Letters, E-Mails and Notices
The Editor, Team Brief, UKMAMS Association, PO Box 1126, Swindon, Wilts, SN5
7WB. E-mail:
ukmamseditor@hotmail.com
Here’s a note from “Bronco” Lane. Feel free to dispute the claims made below!!! Letters to
the usual address.
Hi Editor
I was the first and the best "blanket stacker" (storeman) for MAMS when they came from Abingdon to
Lynehem-Dave Eggleton was my boss in those days.
Left the RAF in 1982 and now run my own Health and Safety Consultancy in Swindon
Bronco Lane
(Corporal Retired)
Smarter Safety Management Limited
Tele No 01793-829523
Fax No 01793-829523
In our current political state of flux it was interesting to see these comments from some
of the higher profile figures during recent events!!!
Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?
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SAEED AL SAHAF - Iraqi Head of Information
The chicken did not cross the road. This is a complete fabrication. We do not even have a chicken.
GEORGE W BUSH
We don't care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of
the road or not. The chicken is either for us or against us. There is no middle ground.
TONY BLAIR
I agree with George.
COLIN POWELL
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
HANS BLIX
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the
other side of the road.
A note from Sgt Duncan Metcalfe for all you Golfers.
Though cancelled earlier in the year, the competition will now be held at the China Fleet Club between
the 1 st and 4 th of October 03. Anyone interested in playing should contact one of the following:
High Wycombe
Brize Norton
Andover
Akrotiri
Aldergrove
RAFMS
FS Ryan (Ada)
Cpl Edmunds (Mick)
WO Allen (Rich)
Sgt Wright (Steve)
Sgt Dodds (John)
Sgt Howell (Taff)
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MSF’s
Lyneham
Hortholt
South Cerney
Aux
JHSU
Sgt Jones (JJ) (Leuchars)
FS Lowe (Steve)
Cpl Robertson (Keith)
Sgt Coombes (Boomer)
Sgt Ratcliff (Ratty)
Sgt Clancy (Dave)
If you are out of the RAF and still wish to take part, please do not hesitate to call myself in the first
instance.
Sgt Metcalfe (Duncan)
Work 01249 896377
Home 01249 891717
Mobile 0774 8848873
Email duncan.metcalfe@btinternet.com
I’ve had some interesting conversations with one of our current Team leaders recently, Flt Lt Sara Moore. Her
father, Tony is a member of the Association and Sara has kindly loaned me some photographs. Interestingly
enough these pictures are of John Billingsley, at a party in an unnamed location. To save Sara getting into too
much trouble I will also produce a photograph of her here as well. A response and explanation for the standard of
dress from John Billingsley would be much appreciated!!! Letters to the usual address.
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Flt Lt Sara Moore as she realizes what
will happen now that she has handed
over the photo’s above
And finally: a brief note from Geoff Nolan
Hi Mick,
Just a quick note for Team Brief to let you know that I'm still alive and
kicking (and have just renewed my subs!). I have recently spent 3 years
with the UN in Sarajevo, Bosnia, as Chief Supply Officer when that Mission
closed at the end of last year. I am still with the UN now working in East
Timor as Logistics Operations Officer, based in Dili...not the most
exciting place in the world, but I have a mortgage to pay.
Best regards
Geoff Nolan
Thanks Geoff. I presume from this you are having no problems receiving your copy of “Team Brief”?
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No. 5 Movements Operator Course – 13 Nov 1972 – 12 Jan 1973
Back Row Standing: AC Owens, SAC Hels, LAC Hughes, AC’s Gough, Felts, Simpson, Burtenshaw, Briggs,
Slater, Stevens
Front Row Seated:
AC Midleton, Sgt Worthington (DS), Sgt Harris (DS), FS Janman (DS), Sqn Ldr Harries,
Sgt McQuigg (DS), Sgt Hartill (DS), AC Cheetham, AC Padfield
Once again some familiar faces. While I was looking through my selection of photos I came across all the old
Loadmasters courses. Eddie Grace and Clive Hall (see photo below) were popular faces amongst the DS, along
with ALM Clive Willis. Isn’t it odd how
much more amenable the Loadies who
were taught at the Movements School
are!! The likes of Pat Blake and Ian
Stanhope, too name just two. There’s a lot
to be said for the integrated training of
two trades which are remarkably similar.
Eddie and Clive, front row right and
left respectively. A couple of the
Loadies in the back row are still
around too.
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After publishing many photographs of other people (and receiving abuse from some of them!!) I
thought I’ll be fair and stick one of myself in the magazine. This was home for a short while, and as
you can see, in the best MAMS tradition we made ourselves as comfortable as possible. Don’t be fooled
by the harsh exterior, inside this humble dwelling you could hear the constant hum of the fridge, and
feel the gently cooling breeze from the air conditioning unit. These were often sampled by the many
senior officers who became regular visitors. This may also have had something to do with never ending
supply of Tetley tea bags and Nescafe, or was it the large screen cable TV, complete with Sky News and
several movie channels. Whoever said life on MAMS was hard!!!
Finally, I will just remind anybody reading this that the Association is open to all serving and ex
movements personnel. So just because you have never served on MAMS its no excuse not to join. As
the editor currently serving on MAMS my articles at the moment are biased toward MAMS tasking. This
is only because I am getting no information from other units, so if you want a mention or have an
article or photo’s, drop me a line or e-mail me and I will publish it.
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Mick
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