Royal Visit to 47 AD Sqn RLC
Airborne Troop Force Protection Demonstration
The Colonel and Chief of the Royal Logistic Corps- HRH Princess Anne visited 13 Air Assault Support Regiment (13AASp Regt) at Keevil Airfield on 13 May 2016. In addition to displaying 13 AASp Regts’ capabilities the visit also provided an opportunity to mark the anniversary of the first operational air drop resupply conducted by British Forces.
Following a history brief and 47 Air Despatch Squadron update members of the Squadron showed HRH Princess Anne the in-service AD equipment. This was shortly followed by a practical demonstration which included two C-130J Hercules flying in formation. Each carried and subsequently despatched a load of 14 pallets. The first aircraft was able to deliver the same volume of stores as was dropped over 2 weeks during the Siege of Kut. The loads for the visit included fuel drums and 16 Bde Forward Headquarters. The Despatch Crew Commanders L/Cpl Kelly and L/Cpl Adamson had both just completed their B1 course but were unfazed by the pressure and all loads were successfully despatched despite windy conditions. On the Drop Zone some of the loads were moved forward by CH47, 63 Squadron’s airborne troop also demonstrated how they would react if they came under attack on the Drop Zone.
LEFT:Hercules Unloading
RIGHT: Chinook with Underslung Loads
Following the capabilities demonstration HRH Princess Anne presented members of the Regiment with honours and awards. Many of the recipients were members of 47 AD Sqn including L/Cpl Rakabu, who received his Long Service Good Conduct Medal, WO2 (SSM) Vince Chappell, who received his Royal Warrant, Sgt Finney and Sgt Wilson, who both received their QADI Brevets and Pte Kotobalavu, who received his Air Despatch Brevet.
HRH The Princess Royal Presenting Sgt Finney His QADI Brevet
Pte Kotobalavu receiving his AD Brevet
HRH meeting members of BAD Cse 178 which only finished 2 weeks before the visit