Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn

Location : Lincolnshire, by the sea

Morning.

Thought that i would share some of my pictures from last Sunday, 30th Aug, when a friend and myself visited E Flt 202 Sqn at RAF Leconfield.
The visit was organised through the RNLI and we were to spend the majority of the day with the Sqn to have an insight on how they work and what sort of training they perform.

We arrived at 0845 and were welcomed by the outgoing shift crew. Once our crew arrived we were taken to get "kitted up", Boots, Flight suit, Dry suit ( for over water ops), Helmet, Lifejacket/preserver, gloves etc. We were then taken to watch a safety film ( they always make me nervous!!). After a quick cuppa Winchman Harry took us out to the SeaKing and showed us around the inside, explainining some procedures, and what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency etc.

Back inside the crew facility we attended the briefing and listened to what the days sortie would be, what the weather was doing , NOTAM's etc........"0945 Walk, 1000 airbourne".....

We were asked to don our drysuits............ Whistle

Anyway, here are some pics.

Self Portrait!
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 1281

The shadow shot.
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 1282

Leconfield ( Hard to think that Lightnings used to be based here)
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 1283

Potential winching exercise area.
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 12813

After some winching practice amongst the cliffs, the adrenalin was really running!!, we headed out to sea to look for a ship to play with.

Looking for trade!
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 1284

Bingo!!.....and what a ship it was, surely you cannot winch onto that i thought......
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 1285

.......oh yes you can!!.......and he got a round of applause from the people on the ship!
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 1286

Check out the guy on top of the mast......must be mad!
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 12814

We did a couple of fly-by's to say thanks for the practice and the pilots went through a couple of "practice emergency situations".......engine fire drill, engine failure drill.......listening to the crew in full communication with each other during these drills was fantastic very calm very proffesional. We headed back to the cliffs where it was time for my friend and myself to get " some fresh air and to stretch our legs ....winching!! We were put down on a small spit at the bottom of the cliffs and we followed the winchman around the bottom and half way up, clambering over some dodgy loose rocks, " go on lads get right up there make it a challenge for em" he said. Even though it was an exercise even though we were fully kitted up and even though we knew what to expect it was still a reassuring sight when the Seaking appeared from behind the cliff , strops dangling on the winch slowly edging in to pick us up. One after the other we went up and again the pilot gained height and headed along the coast. It was explained to us that the crew are always mindfull of the danger of the downdraft on the casualty (s) and always try to minimise this. To be honest, apart from when the helo was manouvering into position, i didn't really notice any whilst being on the winch going up Thumbs Up

.

Soon we were heading back along the coast towards Filey and i was invited to sit in the doorway and watch the world go by from about 100 ft. Actually it was part of the ex looking just incase we saw anyone stuck on the cliffs. One word describes that experience..Breathtaking!! Although i wasn't brave enough to have my legs dangling over the side from my kneeling position at the door the sights were amazing.......even when we buzzed Scarborough Castle, hope the blokes dressed as old soldiers didn't mind too much as we shot over their heads at about 80 ft!!

Holiday camp somewhere near Scarborough.
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 1287

Beach Patrol RAF Style!
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 12815

After passing over Filey we headed back to Leconfield for some lunch and for 128 to be refuelled and made ready for any call that may come during the day. We took the opportunity to get a few pics after the de-brief, which in itself was brilliant to be part of.

SRG-128
Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 1288

One for the modellers........

Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 12811

All in all i had a fantastic day and this was enhanced by the crews willingness to allow us to fly with them and for making us feel as part of the crew as well. If i take anything away from our day it has to be the terrific teamwork i witnessed, the constant comms between the crew the way they all gelled together.......and of course the banter that was going on in between exercises.

These people are a credit to the RAF and its great to know that they are around when things go wrong. I thank all at Leconfield, especially our crew, for making this an unforgettable experiance.

Finally, a pic i took in July when 128 was winching with our boat just off Cleethorpes.....

Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 128ILB

Thanks for reading.........apologies for going on a bit, but it's something that i don't experience that often!!

Rgds

Subject: Re: Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 2009-09-03, 03:22

What an absolutely fantastic collection of pictures! You are very lucky!! Roll Eyes

Location : Livingston,Scotland. Spotter Watch Member : No

A very well presented post, and well photographed. Big Grin

Cheers,Alan Cheers

Location : Liverpool/Sheffield/HMS Explorer

Great shots Glenn, they really are a great bunch of guys over at Leconfield :) Looks like you had a top day.

Regards
Alex

Subject: Re: Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 2009-09-03, 03:30

Thanks for that,a fantastic report with plenty of 1st class photos.
A "never-to-be-forgotten" day for you,you lucky git ! Cheers

Admin Location : Abu Dhabi

Brilliant stuff, looks like they did you proud.

Cracking shots too.

Dunk

Subject: Re: Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 2009-09-03, 04:27

Good shots and i was getting a PM at the time about it from someone who lives near Filey in one of those houses on the cliff telling me the old ship was involved with the Seaking. He was watching it all out his window.

Location : Near Grantham Spotter Watch Member : No

Great report and pictures.

vis814.

Subject: Re: Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 2009-09-03, 05:38

well done and thanks for sharing.
super pic's too.

Location : Geilenkirchen, Germany Spotter Watch Member : No

I truly enjoy your report and the images - very well presented and abslutely well done! Thumbs Up

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us,
cheers

Andy

Subject: Re: Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 2009-09-03, 11:27

Great post, thanks for sharing, a very well documented and pictured trip, thanks again

Location : Humberston, NE LINCS

Excellent report and photos, thanks for taking the time to post Thumbs Up

.

Cheers Paul.

Subject: Re: Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 2009-09-03, 13:23

What a cracking post!! Thumbs Up

Grand set of shots!!

Jamie

Location : Lincolnshire, by the sea

Hi,

Thanks for all your nice comments guys, much appreciated.

It was certainly a day that's going to take some beating Thumbs Up

Thanks again.

Rgds

Glenn. Smile

Moderator Location : Between Coventry and Leicester

Really good report there, some excellent pictures.
post some more if you wish i find these kind of images very intresting.
cheers for posting.

Subject: Re: Training with 'E' Flt 202Sqn 2009-09-03, 15:10

Really interesting post you lucky so and so, just like an episode of Jim'll Fix It!!! (in a good way)

Location : Swindon Spotter Watch Member : no

Fantastic report Cheers

What a great day out. I have always had a great respect for the RNLI, Coast Guard and Air Sea Recue teams. Clap