2015/07

Summer is in full swing on Happy IV (R) Sqn. The Moran building is bustling with fresh faces and more members than ever before as we power through the best flying season of the year, though no one has told the met office…

Welcome first of all to our new Boss. Wg Cdr Beard handed over the reins to Wg Cdr Mounsey as Valley finally celebrated the arrival of summer. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Wg Cdr Mounsey and his family to the Sqn and we look forward to working with you in the coming months. Also many thanks for the excellent pre Summer Ball drinks!

Times are changing on IV, as the new boss leads us into a brave new era; we have begun the process of absorbing most of the ‘old furniture’ from 208 onto the mighty T2. Welcome to the latest members who saw the light, Fit Lt Greenhalgh and Fit Lt Poole!

Alongside the old and bold we also welcome the Station Commander ‘desig’, Gp Capt Braid to the HawkT2 along with Lt Col Mathebula, who comes to us on exchange from South Africa, Sqn Ldr Altoft and Fit Lt’s Osborne and Rossiter.

We have said goodbye to many members over the last few months. Course 10 graduated; Ed, Dusty and Hubbs were all sent to the Typhoon force and Graym to the Tornado. Three members of Course 9 have gone to join 45 (R) Sqn at Cranwell to try their hand at the King Air, though regrettably the course ‘Nein’ car doesn’t seem to have made the journey with them. We said Au Revoir to Bronx as he returned to his homeland after a full innings on IV and we are about to say farewell to Steve Moon, Paul Heasman and Ed Dudley as they move on to pastures new. Good luck to all of our comrades from everyone here, try not to miss us too much!

In the spirit of summer, we sent a lucky few out to Corsica to ensure that the pool was the right temperature and that the beach wasn’t too sandy ahead of our Sqn detachment in September. Unfortunately the weather was ‘too’ nice and Oz Mchugh was heard to be complaining about what sweaty work turning the jet was in 30 degree heat. If you see him around, do be sure to console him on his gruelling experience.

The HawkT2 role demo is itching to go. Ben and Toby are ready tofill the skies with fighter manoeuvring, aggressively flown circuits, surface attacks and a hefty amount of explosives across the country. Al and Jason have been working tirelessly around the clock to ensure freshly pressed black flying suits and shiny badges are on hand for any eventuality this display season. Pop over and show them your full support if you find yourself at any displays over the year.

Last but most certainly not least, we have prospered over the last few months through the incredible serviceability rate of our fleet, no doubt due to the tireless endeavours of our outstanding engineering team. Long may it continue! That’s all from us at Happy IV, we wish everyone well for the summer months and good luck to the role demo team throughout the season.