15 Squadron Mercy Mission

[NSRI Meatbomb]

On Saturday MRCC received a request from a trawler 220Nm off Durban to remove an injured sailor that had been stabbed by a fellow crew, in the neck and head.
15 Squadron took the challenge in their stride and soon had two Oryx heli's crewed, fueled and ready to fly. Two volunteers from Dbn NSRI were lowered onto the vessel, stabilised the casualty and then hoisted him back into the waiting heli. On the return trip he kept on passing out from shock.
For those that always question the system this was one for the record. MRCC were efficient and 15 Squadron were out of this world. They flew with extra fuel and were on the edge of their range. They got us there safely and brought us all home again. Landing the Oryx at St Augustines is always an eye opener and once again Graham did the airforce proud.
To all the crew from 15 Squadron. WELL DONE

[Gunship]

Well done guys

If it is Graham Chisholm - please send my best regards to him.
If he asks who I am - tell him the lieutenant boertjie that threw him (the captain) with ice water while he had his morning crap at 31 Sqn, AFB Hoedspruit circa 1982

Yes he is big and yes he nearly killed me ..

Well done again guys

[Big Bucks Bernie]

Well done to the crews from 15 Squadron and the two volunteers from the Durban NSRI . Hope the sailor makes a full recovery.

[BAKELA]

A good news story!!!! :bakgat-boogie-smiley:

Well done NSRI and SAAF!!

[Merde]

For them maybe just in a day's work.

For others : "We appreciate it "

[Nellis]

It is always good to hear that the SAAF is involved in humanitarian missions of some form or another. The adage that this type of flying is not "core business" is absolute bullsh*t and the people in SAAF HQ who pushed that view some years ago should be "hung, drawn and quartered".

Some of the best helicopter pilots in the world originated in the SAAF, the reason being is that we were exposed to all the helicopter mission profiles possible, not just training with "meat bombs" firing pop guns as most of the present SAAF helicopter flying consists of.

Well done guys, and if it was the "old Chisolm" who was commander for the task, I am very impressed. It gives me great hope, because that means some of us 'old ballies' still flying have at least another 20 odd years of flying left.

As they say in the movies:

Lots of grey hair - plenty grey matter, very intelligent!

No hair - ..... nuff said!!!

[NSRI Meatbomb]

I will pass on all the msgs to Graham and the rest still at 15 Sqd. From our point of view, we are only to greatfull to have the likes of Graham still in the system. However it must be said that there really are some good young Oryx pilots in the system. We shall have to see what happens when they start with the Augusta's that will be in shortly and where that leaves us with this type of Mercy Mission

[deanw]

With many thanks to NSRI Meatbomb and friends, you can read all about the rescue at http://www.saairforce.co.za/news-and...scue-of-sailor



Yes, I know the images appear black, but they can still be viewed by clicking on them. I'll fix the bug on my return.

[duff gen]

Originally Posted by Nellis

Some of the best helicopter pilots in the world originated in the SAAF, the reason being is that we were exposed to all the helicopter mission profiles possible, not just training with "meat bombs" firing pop guns as most of the present SAAF helicopter flying consists of.

As they say in the movies:

Lots of grey hair - plenty grey matter, very intelligent!

No hair - ..... nuff said!!!

How true Nellis, SAAF chopper drivers were a class of their own and very highly rated by all - "the Lastics, Crowbar and Trinta Dois" knew they could count on Choppers no matter what. The UN medics in Namibia days did not go near the UN choppers after dark (and most daylight hours too).

Respect, and great to hear something positive about SA/SAAF. Nice one 15sqn.