Goldstars News from the Deid - October 2008

Welcome to the first news update from 31 Squadron Goldstars currently deployed out here in Al Udeid in support of Op TELIC. 31 took over from 617 Sqn at the start of October, heralding the end of Lossiemouth’s and the start of Marham’s latest stint of providing Tornado GR4 support to operations in Iraq.

The situation 3 weeks ago on arrival into theatre was a markedly different one from the one we faced last summer when insurgent action against Coalition Forces in Iraq was at a peak, particularly for those British Forces deployed in and around the Basra region, which led to a detachment typified by lots of Troops In Contact (TIC) and resultant action from the Tornado crews including everything from numerous Shows Of Force to delivery of weapons whenever situations dictated. This year sees a much more stable situation in almost all regions of the country, not least Basra, which has had a direct effect on the taskings the GR4 Force currently undergo, with a much greater focus on reconnaissance, both with the DJRP but more notably RAPTOR. This capability is still relatively new to the Iraq theatre and has, through the work of GR4 air- and ground-crews and the Imagery Analysts of TIW, brought Coalition Forces some of the most timely and detailed imagery available from any platform to aid in planning for future ops and projects and monitoring patterns of life around the whole country. It has also (amazingly) caused Nelly to turn down his posting to the STAN(F) job in favour of a newly formed post, STAN(Recce and Fuel Economy). Other missions typically involve convoy support and the ongoing battle to reduce insurgent attacks on Coalition and Iraqi bases and troops with rockets and IEDs, and supporting the multi-national forces in efforts to detain key individuals by providing armed overwatch using the aircraft’s targeting and camera pod.

As it stands, touching wood… errr hmm..the Goldstars are toting a virtually unbeatable (!) 100% successful launch rate to tasking.. a record not to be sniffed at considering temperatures are still hitting the high 30’s every day and humidity, particularly by night, has been running at 85-95% for the last week or so – not to mention having a troublesome one of our 6 aircraft in the shed from pretty much day one and conducting other more in-depth scheduled Primary* servicings - hats off to the groundcrew. I was going to attribute this enviable record to leadership from the top however the QWI crew were jinxed by the presence of OC31 in the Eng Hit Team Wagon today with his encouraging comments on how successful the Det was running so far - only to watch Shep and Pastie hop in and out of half of our jets before finally staggering airborne!

Away from work, well it’s Al Udeid. Small changes happen each time we come but on the face of it, it’s same old same old… acres of off-white gravel, thousands of Borg dressed in PT kit ruled by a series of rules so long there must now be one for each of them… and still only 3 beers… it’s tough! The local hairdressers are still the same head-slapping guys as before with only one style available - those who don’t know should take a look at Paul Reeves – the perennial dodgy moustache event has begun in earnest and Cooky has even admitted to tending to like Bootnecks… careful in the communal showers boys. The first Sqn down day last week saw a social in the Oasis ‘Brit’ Bar during which the Sqn bid an emotional farewell to Sgt Mark Handford (10 yr Goldstar) and Cpl Suzanne Handford née Fisher (6 yr Goldstar) who move on to pastures new at RAF Coningsby with 17 Sqn, the Typhoon OEU, and 7 FP Wg respectively. The Sqn will be a lesser place without you both. Thanks and Good Luck!

Meanwhile in Ops, Shep and Tim the Squip have been practising some desperate methods of getting some colour into their skins by finding every way of belly flopping off a Dhow into the Persian Gulf on a down-day boat-trip. The Pigz board is already looking like providing the world’s biggest pizza for the next down day social and is almost full after only 3 weeks, suffice to say the next one might as well be named the Bungle Board from the start!

Now that everyone is settled into the routine and things are running smoothly, thoughts are inevitably turning to those back at home so it’s a big collective Hello! from all the Goldstars to all our loved ones we’ve left at home. Take care and see you soon. Keep checking for the next update!

Bye for now.