I remember the shock of being told what had happened. I was on a Flightline somewhere as a civvy and I couldn't believe it. My heart sank completely.
Then came the speculation, the theories and the hope that folk had survived. It wasn't to be but it was clear that the war had hit the RAF in a way that we did not expect.
We had already lost a Tornado and crew who were shot down by a Patriot missile but the loss of a transport aircraft was something else.
It brought home to everyone that not only the pointy things were at war, but the rest of the "forgotten" RAF were at war as well.
I won't forget this day and neither will I forget the day that we lost the Nimrod XV 230 in 2006.
It was one thing being shocked in 2005 with XV179, but, In 2006, I remember breaking tears and saying to the Mrs, "No, please, not again".
Back to 179, I had the pleasure of working on the aircraft and at the time, it made everything personal. Especially because an acquaintance was on board this aircraft.
10 years have passed and wow, how the RAF has changed.
What cannot be changed is the loss of some fine people.
I hope the spirit of the Royal Air Force will go on forever and that our fellow airmen are remembered and not lost in vain.
DT_Xtremez_21:
