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About us

Although not always known as Aircrewmen, we have been around for longer than many realise.

During the second World War the first generation were called 'Telegraphist Air Gunners' (TAG's). They flew in the rear seats of Fairey Swordfish and other similar aircraft performing the navigation, communication and air-gunner roles, and took part in all the major Fleet Air Arm skirmishes during WW2.

Soon after the war, the helicopter hovered onto the scene, and as the versatility of this new aircraft became apparent, so men from the various branches were 'loaned' to become Rating Aircrew, and carry out the wide variety of tasks that the role demanded.

During this period TAG's and Aircrewmen, and more recently Women, have served with distinction, many of who's service has been recognised with numerous decorations for gallantry and distinguished service.

Membership

Membership is open to all Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm Serving, and ex Rating Aircrew, Telegraphist Air Gunner's (TAG'S)

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Connie Francis Charity Night

The Francis family are looking to hold a charity night on Saturday 3rd October in Connie's memory. This would have been Connie's 55th Birthday and they would like to commemorate it by celebrating his birthday in style, but also raising money for SSAFA and Help the Heroes. The idea would be to hire a venue in Dawlish and hire a Dire Straits tribute band as this was Connie's favourite band. The event would enable them to bring Aircrewmen and IBM colleagues back together again on a more social footing. The cost of the event would be approximately £7.50/ticket + accommodation costs.

If you think that this is an event that you would like to attend then please let Duncan Baines know asap at Duncan.Baines@uk.ibm.com, but please keep in mind that an acceptance now will help to make the mind up of the Francis family with regard to spending money and booking the band and venue. The last thing that Duncan would want to do is to say 'go ahead' and then have a large number of people not show up after making a firm commitment to do so.

Further details will be published as things firm up if this gets sufficient support

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A CELEBRATION OF NAVAL FLYING
Fleet Air Arm Museum

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will be opening the exhibition on Friday, 3 July 2009 at 15.00.

The Chairman and Trustees of the Museum have also decided to hold our own celebrations to mark the Centenary, and as part of that we are hoping to hold a Veterans Party from 13.30 – 16.30, which will include the opening of the Exhibition.

We know that a great many FAA veterans are likely to want to attend, but we are going to have to limit the total attendance to 250.  To ensure that everyone is dealt with equally, I am asking the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association and the Fly Navy Federation, as well as individuals, to promulgate this information as widely as possible and it will be on a “first come first served” basis. 

I am sure that you will not take exception to my asking those of you attending  for a payment of £10 per person towards the catering costs for the event.  Please see the attached form which should be filled in and returned to FN100 Office, along with your payment, by Monday, 22 June 2009.  You can contact them on 01935 456530. Alternatively, you can contact my PA, Sue Wilson, on 01935842624.

I look forward to seeing you on the day.

Graham Mottram

To download an application form click here

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Ray Flys our Standard at St Pauls

For more pictures and detail of what Ray got up to click here.

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Request from Harry Benson

Hello,
I was a baby Wessex pilot of 847 Falklands era and have finally got round to writing some sort of memoir. It might turn into a book, might not.

I would love to get in touch with the guys I flew with in action, to reconnect and to swap stories: especially Smudge Smyth, Jan Lomas; Chris Eke, Neil Cummins, Al Doughty, Scott (?) McKie.

Also Reg Sharland who I remember gave me the shock of my life by suddenly appearing outside my window as I was coming into land at Navy Point and grinning madly.

Any help?

Yours
Harry Benson
0117 924 1480
harry.benson@virgin.net

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Remembrance Sunday 7th November 2009

Sat 7th November Accommodation in London, John Fagan has booked 6 rooms in Battersea, 4 in each room, total 24. first come first served.

e-mail or you can phone me on 07767203315 if you want to come, remember it is the FAA 100th year this year, so we should be near the front!!!!!

John Sheldon

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Did you know you can get discount?

Check out the Forces Discount site

As a member of the Defence Community, you can enjoy FREE membership of the Defence Discount Directory. Gain access to hundreds of special services, deals and discounts.

The Defence Community comprises active members of the Royal Navy, Army, RAF, Royal Marines, Civil Service, Territorial Army; as well as Reservists, Veterans and Partners.

 

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New Book "PHOENIX SQUADRON"

HMS Ark Royal, Britain’s Last Top Guns and the Untold Story of Their Most Dramatic Mission

‘Completely riveting … as gripping as any Tom Clancy thriller’ JEREMY CLARKSON

‘If only all military history was written like this …’ ANDY MCNAB

 ‘A remarkable story told with skill and dedication  … I enjoyed it.  And I learned a lot.’ LEN DEIGHTON

‘A gutsy, you-are-there true story that throbs with the sound and fury of carrier operations.  Military history as it ought to be told.’  ROBERT GANDT 

‘Clearly states the case for naval aviation in our uncertain age.  An aircraft carrier loaded with fighter bombers is still the big stick …’ STEPHEN COONTS

HMS Ark Royal was the most powerful warship the Royal Navy had ever put to sea, her Air Group of Phantoms, Buccaneers, Gannets and Sea Kings a match for anything else in the sky.  But, by the end of January 1972, she was also the last of her kind, the sole remaining British aircraft carrier, kept in service to help face down the threat from the powerful Soviet Navy.

Then intelligence reached Whitehall that British Honduras – now Belize – was under threat of imminent invasion from neighbouring Guatemala.  The little colony was all but defenceless in the face of battle-hardened, US-trained Guatemalan soldiers and airmen.  Until Ark Royal was ordered to ‘Proceed with all despatch’ …

Drawing on many hours of interviews with the participants and previously unseen, classified documents in the UK and overseas, Phoenix Squadron pieces together this remarkable episode for the first time.  And in doing so brings to life a unique, unfamiliar and fascinating period in British military history.

Phoenix Squadron is published in hardback by Bantam Press on 9th April 2009, priced £18.99 and is available for pre-order now from amazon.co.uk at a discount of 40% off the cover price.

Note from the auther

From an Aircrewman's point of view, the book's noteworthy for including a detailed account of the rescue of the crew of the Anatina, a Norwegian freighter that suffered a fatal fire beyond the Scillies. It was the first really long-range SAR mission carried out by what were, in 1971, still new Sea Kings.

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New Book "Special Forces Pilot"

Richard Hutchings, who served throughout the Falklands war with 846 Naval Air Squadron flying Sea King helicopters, has waited over twenty-five years to tell his story.

The sensitive nature of his experiences not only made this a sensible course but today provides the reader with some fascinating insights into the conduct of operations.

Dick Hutchings’ role was to insert Special Force units onto the enemy occupied islands either to gather intelligence or conduct offensive operations, such as the SAS’s sensationally successful Pebble Island raid. Without doubt the most dramatic task he undertook was the ambitious but ill- fated SAS raid into mainland Argentina.

Operation MIKADO, as it was known, has been little discussed but, as Captain of the Sea King involved, the author gives a first-hand account of what went wrong both in the air and on the ground. He describes the circumstances leading up to the crash-landing and destruction of his helicopter, encounters with the Chilean authorities and British diplomats in Santiago as well as the debriefing in an M16 safe house on return to the UK.

As well as being the fullest description of Operation MIKADO Special Forces Pilot is a gripping account of the War from the flying and SF angles.

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