Movements

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Movements Autumn/Winter 06 4 Foreword Contents Editorial Team Editor: Flt Lt Bekki Collins SO3 A4 Ops Air Mov RAF High Wycombe Ext 6997 Distribution: FS Mick Sullivan DMS RAF Brize Norton Copy deadline for the Autumn edition is: 13 Apr 2007 All articles/letters should be sent to: WO Air Movs HQSTC, RAF High Wycombe, Naphill, Bucks HP14 4UE. On the cover It is not an official publication and all views expressed, unless otherwise stated, are the personal views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect official or editorial policy. Editorial Well, as my esteemed leader, Sqn Ldr Dave Ward, has temporarily departed these shores for sunnier, sandier and most definitely sportier climes, the duty has fallen upon my shoulders to collate this edition of the Movements Magazine. For those of you who don’t know me, I am she who has now taken over the mantle previously held by the very old and very crusty Flt Lt Tony Geerah, God rest his soul! Moving swiftly on... With the current high tempo of ops being very much the focus for all Movs personnel these days, it seems only right that we put the emphasis of this edition on Operational Logistics. Ops HERRICK, TELIC and HIGHBROW have all been in the limelight for good reasons or bad over the last six months, to that end I believe it is important to point out that we are no longer continually pushing water up a hill and that more and more outside agencies are beginning to recognize what an extremely job we actually do. As I’m sure all you avid readers are aware (I know there are some of you out there!), this magazine exists to ensure you get a good perspective of headline and current issues within the Movements world. As always, we would appreciate your comments, and any suggestions for improvements or future articles are most welcome. This is, after all, your opportunity to sell yourselves at what you are inherently good at! Flt Lt Bekki Collins SO3 A4 Ops Air Mov RAF High Wycombe Ext 6997 5 Exclusive - RAF Movers Load Aircraft! 6 Life at the edge of the Air Coupling Bridge 10 I learnt about Movements from that… 14 The annual ‘Pengelly‘ Football Tournament 16 RAF Airport Unit - Hanover 18 JATEU Airportability Section, RAF Brize Norton - Planes, Chains and Automobiles 22 Camp Bastion UKMAMS Detachment 25 Tallil Air Base, Iraq 26 Not the Strategic MAMS Review 28 Op HIGHBROW - The Movers perspective from the ‘Eye of the Storm’ 32 Where have all the Movers gone? 36 Communication 40 The Trade Sponsor is in a hole! 42 Dear Dan… © No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers. Advertisements are included in good faith. Published by Forces and Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, 92-94 High Street, Rushden, Northamptonshire NN10 OPQ. Tel: 01933 419994 • Fax: 01933 419584 email: mail@forcespublishing.co.uk Editorial director: Ron Pearson Sub editor: Kerry Wells Sales manager: Amanda Ringer Movements
ForewordGroup Captain R Atherton MA RAF It seems no time at all since I penned a Foreword for this magazine introducing myself as new in post with plans for the future. Now after 18 months I am moving on and it’s time for a short reflection on events. If we thought the level of operational commitment being undertaken by the Movements trade group was high in mid 05, it was a case of ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet!’ The expansion of Op HERRICK, the odd short-notice operation - MATURIN, HIGHBROW etc - together with surge requirements t o s u p p o r t R o u l e m e n t s i n Place, have all put significant pressure on most of you as individuals and e v e r y t i m e y o u have risen to the challenge. That said we cannot a f f o r d t o b e complacent in our achievements and as I write this, the ‘Lancaster Letter’ i s h i t t i n g t h e headlines, raising the profile of both the Movements Trade and the RAF but not in a way any of us would wish. Whilst some of the content is erroneous, there are some key points to take away if we are to ensure that we achieve the degree of professionalism for which we all should strive. Pressure is not an excuse! That said we are all well aware that pressure on Movers is considerable and to that end the A4 Ops Movs together with the main movements units and our Auxiliary colleagues have been working hard to lessen the effects of the operational tempo. I apologise for the length of time it took for the Strategic Movements Review report to hit the streets. Unfortunately it came up against the vagaries of staffing politics, but at least it was published - some review reports never see the light of day! And now the pressure is on to get the proposals implemented to generate movements capacity. The relief from DWR commitments with all operational deployments being filled by No 1 AMW and 4624 RAuxAF should result in more stability and less mandays lost to pre-deployment training and post-deployment leave. We have a dedicated staff officer, Wg Cdr Alex Swift, employed for the next 6 months to ensure the recommendations are implemented. Please give him and his Flt Lt, Cath Bailey, every assistance because the eventual aim is that in future you will be able to plan your lives more effectively whilst providing maximum effect in support of the RAF mission. So what have I learnt about movements over the past 18 months. Well, firstly there’s no thanks for doing a good job. The vast majority of you do a fantastic job, day in, day out, but don’t expect any recognition. Secondly, Movers will always be in the spotlight. Whether it’s pax handling or consignment tracking the eyes of the RAF, the other Services and, indeed, the politicians are on you. It’s a fact of life but if you can go to bed each night (or day) and sleep soundly in the knowledge that you have done the most professional job you can, then noone can ask for anything more and the reputation of the Movers will be second to none. Movements
Page 1: Movements
Page 5 and 6: Life at the edge of the APOE Wing R
Page 7 and 8: majority of military movements in a
Page 9 and 10: 07 Oct 05 747 Steps struck front on
Page 11 and 12: JATEU Airportability Section, RAF B
Page 13 and 14: ‘OK Boss’ I replied. ‘When do
Page 15 and 16: MAMS Detachment Flt Lt Matt Stott A
Page 17 and 18: of the two transit tents on the air
Page 19 and 20: from the ‘Eye of the Storm’ abo
Page 21 and 22: However, it’s not all doom and gl
Page 23 and 24: An example of some well built palle
Page 25 and 26: The Trade Sponsor is in a hole! So
Page 27: Training update - some thoughts on

Movements

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