Many will know by now that the RAF Sea Kings at Lossiemouth will end a long and incredible SAR history with the Highlands on the 1 st of April . We will all miss them and the crews, there was going to be a wee part but it is now cancelled. This is from the Facebook Page.
“It is with the utmost regret that we have to inform you all that D Flt has been ordered to cancel the event at the Drouthy Cobbler on 2 Apr 2015. Please be aware that we are still eternally grateful for all the support we have received from you all over the decades and we wish you all the best for the future!”
To me this is a very sad day and I find it woeful that the great Yellow bird can leave without any acknowledgement! The men and women who worked and flew in them are incredible people . This is what I wrote
” A sad day – politics and the “Lions lead by Donkeys mentality”is still going on in 2015 – many will never forget the work of the Sea Kings I hope that the powers are be are happy – fat pensions and no clue – Those that matter will be thinking of all those involved with SAR and the Seakings!”
From Ian Rideout
“What the heck? Is this the way to treat people who have put the interests of others before their own. I too heard today that not only has any ‘informal’ party been stopped but there is to be no final flypast or tribute to the incredible men & women of D Flt 202 Sqn RAF Lossiemouth past & present. The bravery and the difference that this flight has made, the lives that they have saved and the often horrendous circumstances they have operated in must not go forgotten. We all owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude. Having been involved in many searches, rescues and major incidents over the last 30 years I cannot praise these crews highly enough. Their humility, compassion and professionalism know no bounds. We cannot let them and the Sea Kings just fly off into the sunset without saying a big and heartfelt thank you !!”
Donald Watt
“Disgraceful what a bunch of plonkers! The people who know will miss 202 more thank can express in words. I hope their is some recognition of the wonderful work done by the crews of the above, above and beyond the call of duty”
Peter White
“Ditto Donald Watt and Heavy. They’re probably saving the occasion for a nice get together with young William at the big house. Cameron can then have a photo shoot alongside people with gonads.”
Pete Kay
“Doesn’t take the brains of an arch bishop to suss this, there’s a general election on the horizon; unpopular decisions have to be swept under the carpet, no fanfare and no long goodbyes, stealth is the key. Its a 21st century world, changing times, out with the old in the new.
No room for sentiment; stand aside and keep your memories of passed deeds to yourself, after all you have served your purpose, please retire and let the raging bull of the new millennium trash the 20th century china. Wraiths and shadows should not have an opinion, at least not one that upsets the zeitgeist.
I’m off to ride my motorbike and dream of Route 66. :-)”
Old mans thoughts and tales. 
What the heck? Is this the way to treat people who have put the interests of others before their own. I too heard today that not only has any ‘informal’ party been stopped but there is to be no final flypast or tribute to the incredible men & women of D Flt 202 Sqn RAF Lossiemouth past & present. The bravery and the difference that this flight has made, the lives that they have saved and the often horrendous circumstances they have operated in must not go forgotten. We all owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude. Having been involved in many searches, rescues and major incidents over the last 30 years I cannot praise these crews highly enough. Their humility, compassion and professionalism know no bounds. We cannot let them and the Sea Kings just fly off into the sunset without saying a big and heartfelt thank you !!
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Thanks Ian I have added this to the Blog!
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Ordered to cancel?? Typical forces mentality of a few. Nothing to stop ex forces still going along to show their support for the service they provided, and maybe raise a bit of cash for some forces charity along the way. I’m up for organising it if anyone is interested?
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Awful!
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Doesn’t take the brains of an arch bishop to suss this, there’s a general election on the horizon; unpopular decisions have to be swept under the carpet, no fanfare and no long goodbyes, stealth is the key. Its a 21st century world, changing times, out with the old in the new.
No room for sentiment; stand aside and keep your memories of passed deeds to yourself, after all you have served your purpose, please retire and let the raging bull of the new millennium trash the 20th century china. Wraiths and shadows should not have an opinion, at least not one that upsets the zeitgeist.
I’m off to ride my motorbike and dream of Route 66. 🙂
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Great reply Pete!
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My variation of Winston Churchill’s great wartime speech as it may apply today:
Rather more than four years have passed since the Government came into power in this country. What a cataract of disaster has poured out upon us since then!… Meanwhile, we have not only been demoralized in our hearts, but despair for our Island. We have de-armed and decimated our armed forces to a degree which would have been deemed impossible a few years ago.… Our whole Island is left defenceless against invaders, from the sea or from the air. …the weaker our armed forces at home, the smaller must the invading expedition be, and the smaller the invading expedition, the more difficult will be the task of the of our once proud Forces in detecting its assembly and in intercepting and destroying it in passage; and the easier it would be in feeding and supplying the invaders if ever they landed… Our Armed Forces are far weaker than they were at the beginning of the decade. The flow of innovation and pride of this great nation, set on foot at the outbreak of this bumbling Government is now beginning to wane and decline into oblivion.
Why do I say all this? Not, assuredly, to boast; not, assuredly, to give the slightest countenance to complacency. The dangers we face are still immeasurable, but so are our advantages and resources. I recount them because the people have a right to know that there are solid grounds for the fears in which we feel, and that we have good reason to believe ourselves incapable, as many Chiefs of the Defence Staff have advised, this once great nation may be incapable of continuing the war on terror, or any war for that matter, if radical change in the continued cuts and marginalisation of our Armed Forces is not reversed considerably.
…It must also be remembered that all the terrorist and enemy plots which are not detected, either at home or overseas, are either successful or at the very least weaken our Country further; whereas a considerable proportion of our valuable resources are diverted to overseas aid or lining the coffers of Europe, our brave Servicemen and Servicewomen are sacrificed on the alter of political expediency, and soon again in many cases will be expected to come into action when called, despite continual neglect on the part of their political masters.… We believe that we shall be unable to continue the struggle for security indefinitely and as long as the “enemy” continues to grow strong, and the longer this situation continues the more rapid will be our demise.
The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our former Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British Servicemen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are struggling to turn the tide on the “War on Terror” and maintain this once proud nations safety and security by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human decency was so much owed by so many to so few. All hearts go out to the British Armed Forces, whose brilliant actions we see with our own eyes day after day, but we must never forget that all the time, night after night, month after month, our Military travel both near and far, find their targets wherever they may be, by the highest navigational skill, aim their attacks, often under the heaviest fire or dangerous situation, often with the risk of serious injury or loss, with deliberate, careful discrimination, and inflict shattering blows upon the whole of the technical and war-making structure on the foes of the free world.
A good many people have written to their political masters asking for a detailed statement on the future of Military spending and the future “vision” of the capabilities to which the “Defence of the Realm” relies, and the kind of peace time Military we wish to make after the many expeditionary wars this Country finds itself involved. I do not think it would be wise at this moment, while the battles rage and the many conflicts are ongoing, to embark upon elaborate speculations about the future shape which should be given to Europe… But before we can undertake the task of rebuilding our military and this once proud and great nation, we have not only to be convinced ourselves, but we have to convince all other countries who rely on the common umbrella of security to pay their fair share. The right to guide the course of world history is the noblest prize of victory. We are still toiling up the hill; we have not yet reached the crest-line of it; we cannot survey the landscape or even imagine what its condition will be when that longed-for morning comes. The task which lies before us immediately is at once more practical, more simple and more stern.…the election of a body of people to the Palace of Westminster, people who have honesty and integrity at their heart, people who are not self serving, people who care for their nation, people who honour the sacrifices made by those who died fighting for this great land, and for all the ideals for which it once stood and for which it must stand again.
Until such a time is achieved, Britain will remain “on the brink”, financial and economic oblivion just around the corner. That is our task.
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Impressive Karl
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Shameful. What explanation to merit the cancellation is available that is actually worthy of cancelling such an event!!!
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Reblogged this on gasdoc2857 and commented:
Awful!
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Thanks!
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Led by buffoons
No matter what they say am unofficial party is still going ahead on the 2nd April
In the muckle cross or doruthy cobbler in Elgin
You can’t stop what the people want
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Very true!
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thats stupid not to have a flypast or a doo for them, every other aircraft that finished either at lossie or kinloss had a flypast and or a doo for them and their crews
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Thanks for the comments!
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5 years of my flying career – and the best of it in many ways – were at D Flt. I feel utter shame and disgust at my former Service’s decision on this. Its no way to say goodbye after all that’s gone before.
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Thank you at least we have great memories!
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I’ll be there on the 2nd April. It’s disgusting that this has happened.
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Thanks
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Sad day
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During my years living in Elgin and working at Dr. Gray’s hospital ‘s Accident and Emergency department I had many encounters with the 202 Squadron. They took patients to us, they took patients from us to Aberdeen and beyond. Very few businesses run such a professional and strict routine: from alarm to wheels in the air in 7 minutes. That is not mean feast as it involved puting on all the gear, including survival gear if flying over water, preflight checks and all the comms with air traffic control, police, hospitals…
On occasion I had to escort patients from Elgin to ARI and I saw these guys in action for real.
I also did a few stints with them as the “DOC” on board, one of them attending to a poor chap who fell from the cliffs south of Aberdeen into the North Sea, unfortunately to his death.
Perhaps the best memory is going with the 202 for a training exercise in the Cairngorms and Ben Nevis. Before landing at the refuelling station we ordered some burgers from Macca and got them delivered by the local joyful and friendly Police. I tell you, seing a Police car rushing to a fuel cistern and knowing there are fresh, hot burgers being delivered after freezing one’s arse in the big bird is something else.
Thank you 202 for all you have done for us in Moray and beyond, thank you for being part of our community, thank you for all your safe landings in Cooper’s park, whether for business or for show at the Rotary’ s Marafun!
An era has come to an end!
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Many thanks will add it to my blog!
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An absolute disgrace and disrespectful to the men and women, both air and ground crews of 202 Sqn to be treated this way. We the public who’ve appreciated your selflessness service over the years say. Thank you for a job well done. Per Ardua ad Astra!
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Thanks!
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Disgraceful decision. Their work should be celebrated by us all. The party should go ahead regardless of this political nonsense.
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Agreed!
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They tried that at Kinloss but we just ignored them. After all what could they do – disband us? After spending most of my most dangerous flying career in the north of Scotland can I just say a great big THANK YOU to D Flt. I never needed you although I tried mighty hard on a few occasions on Jags in the early part of my flying career. Later as the SAR SAC in my Mighty Hunter you always had my respect for the efforts that you went to to come to the aid of other human beings in distress. There is no finer bunch of people than the UK SAR Force – you will be missed.
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Totally agree!
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Please sign up and share if you agree this is ridiculous!
https://www.change.org/p/ministry-of-defence-raf-sar-force-hq-british-government-reverse-the-decision-to-order-202-squadron-d-flight-search-rescue-raf-lossiemouth-to-not-have-a-bash-to-say-goodbye?recruiter=125093090&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=mob-xs-no_src-no_msg
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I have signed thanks!
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Have a great pirate party. The UK self protection force needed you in the past.
The public still need and love you to.
I’ll raises a glass to you on the 2nd in Crete, and stand a round for anyone there who knows of you.
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Thanks for that !
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Glasses rased and a toast to the end of SAR as we knew it.
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Agreed thanks!
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I dare say the call to 202 Sqn would not be cancelled in the event of an emergency,you should hang your head in shame who ever ordered the cancelation
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Again appreciated !
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History of SAR will put this down as an incredibly obnoxious decision. Unbelievable.
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How true!
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I have happy 😊 memories of the yellow helicopter and will miss her I enjoyed the trip it was a few years ago my grandchildren called it nanners helicopter for a while after that God Bless.
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As many have thanks!
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So where is this much vaunted Military Covenant, just how ‘out of contact’ are these fools in London?, a pox on them all!
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Thanks Brian
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Very true my good friend you were one of the few who listened and were a great help to me!
As you can see I have not changed !
Still the same
Sent from my iPhone
>
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I have emailed this to them –
Happy retirement from one member of Mountain Bothies Association to another
Peter Aikman
[ D Flight 202Sqn SAR were elected honorary members of MBA a couple of years ago. ]
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Nice thoughts!
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