AOCs/AFI 1997 - Air Cdre Doble

The Annual Formal Inspection in 1997 was carried out on 8 July by Air Cdre Lloyd Doble OBE, FRAeS, RAF.  The Stn Cdr was Sqn Ldr Bill Gray – you could think Bill was unlucky as he already had his posing notice for the following month, a few weeks later and it would have been someone else’s problem!

 

 

 

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Sharyn Louise at Norwick

The Sharyn Louise (LK250) was a Lerwick registered Fishing Vessel based in Out Skerries. On 24 June 2003 whilst off Unst she sprung a bad leak and the skipper decided to beach her on the sand at Norwick. When beached she received assistance both from the Reknown (LK50 – another Out Skerries based boat) and from RAF Saxa Vord.  The incident is described in the Shetland Times Article below which is followed by a number of pictures taken from the shore. The Fairway (LK270) which eventually towed the Sharyn Louise to Lerwick was also based in Out Skerries. (Left click on pictures to enlarge).

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Visit by Gp Capt ADGE 7 Jan 98

Gp Capt Brian Rogers visited Saxa early in 1998. He was accompanied by Sqn Ldr Hann (a previous CO of Saxa – Sep 93 to Sep 95) and by Sqn Ldr MacDonald-Webb (who held a NATO Coordination staff post). It was very unusual for there to be staff visits to Saxa that early in the year.  Sqn Ldr Jones, the Station Commander, accompanied them during their stay on the Unit. (Left click on pictures to enlarge).

The final picture in this section is a copy of the cover of the Spring 98 Issue of the station Magazine – The Saxa Voice.

 

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Flag Officer Scotland 1969

In 1969 the unit was visited by the Flag Officer Scotland, Vice Admiral Sir Ian McGeoch KCB CBE DSO DSC. This was to be his last tour after a long and distinguished career in the Royal Navy. He was a celebrated submarine commander in the Mediterranean during WWII. He was taken prisoner by the Germans and held in Italy, before escaping and returning home. Sir Ian, who retired in 1970, died in 2007 – I have put a link below to an obituary from the Daily Telegraph which gives a much more detailed outline of his career:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1560494/Vice-Admiral-Sir-Ian-McGeoch.html

The Station Commander was Wg Cdr Jerrold Le Cheminant, who also had a distinguished service career. The civilian, seen in 3 of the photos, below was Bertie Henderson. He was the RN representative on Unst, responsible for looking after the Admiralty Building at the Top Site. The last of the 4 photos shows the distribution of wet weather clothing, presumably for a trip out to Muckle Flugga.

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Visit to Unst by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh - 1 May 1995

In May 1995 the Duke of Edinburgh, who was en route to Sweden, paid a short visit to Unst.  He arrived at the Baltasound Airstrip in a 32 Sqn helicopter, went straight to the Top Site, on to the Sgts Mess, saw the new Quarters at SHE and then visited the Unst Leisure Centre. The whole visit was over in less than 3 hours. A copy of the Itinerary from the Admin order is below. (Left click on pictures to enlarge).

The only photos I have of the visit were taken at SHE in the afternoon. The photos look like someone’s private snaps – I would be happy to credit them to the photographer or remove them if so wished. The first phase of the new quarters had just been completed and Prince Philip unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion.  In the photos (apart from Prince Philip) I can recognise the Lord Lieutenant for Shetland Mr JH Scott, the CO – Sqn Ldr Hann and Dennis Buddle.

An extract (now declassified) from the Unit History (F540) which describes the visit, is below:-

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AOCs 1972 - AVM IG Broom

The AOCs inspection in 1972 took place on 1 June and was carried out by AVM Ivor Broom, AOC 11 Gp. The Station Commander was Sqn Ldr PCG Woolston. I notice that the AOC is wearing a black armband – I’m not certain why this was but my best guess is that it was linked to the death of Edward, Duke of Windsor, on 28 May 72.

I also notice that there was a pipe band in attendance. I presume that it was from RAF Kinloss from where members of the Band were detached to Saxa on a number of occasions in the 70’s. (Left click on pictures to enlarge).

CONTENTS LIST

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