http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/ IX Squadron Association en-us Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:28:20 GMT 1440 CPG-Nuke Dragonfly IX Squadron Association News http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/images/logo.gif http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/ http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=44 This is the video of IX(B) Squadron's 1956 visit to Africa. The Squadron was led by Squadron Leader George Bastard and the other solo aerobatic Pilots were Flt Lt Peter Thomas and Flt Lt Des Hall. The story of the detachment is on pages 13 & 14 of 2009 TABS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzI7mHbZP7I With thanks to Association Member Paul Forbes for finding the video after many hours searching. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:28:20 GMT http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=43 Photos of the 2008 REUNION and 2008 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY now available in the photo gallery. Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:55:50 GMT http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=41 They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them Jim Brookbank reciting Laurence Binyon's Poem. Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:46:38 GMT http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=40 Photographs from the 2009 IX(B) Squadron Association reunion held at RAF Marham are now available for online viewing within our Photo Gallery. Images from Remembrance Sunday 2009 and the Tirpitz Dinner 2009 are also available. Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:27:05 GMT http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=39 OBITUARY The Committee, on behalf of Association Members, wish to convey their condolences to the families and friends of the following members whose deaths have been sadly notified: R (Ron) Dick 25 March 2008 Vulcan DJP (Doc) Doherty 31 January 2008 Lancaster CR (Andy) Handison 7 January 2008 Lancaster M C (Mike) Harland 14 November 2007 Tornado B A (Jimmy) James 18 January 2008 Wellington P H (Tash) Jones November 2006 Lancaster E T (Mac) McCabe 20 February 2008 Lancaster C E (Charles) McCarthy 8 December 2007 Lincoln T A (Tommy) Morrow 23 April 2008 Lancaster R V (Ron) Munday 14 May 2007 Lancaster A D (David) Turner 7 August 2007 Canberra & Vulcan Sir John Willis 9 January 2008 Vulcan R G (Bobby) Woolf 5 September 2006 Lancaster Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:48:34 GMT http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=38 AIR VICE-MARSHAL RON DICK CB FRAeS Early in the morning of 25 March 2008, AVM Ron Dick, a highly respected and very popular former CO of IX(B) Squadron, and a former President of IX(B) Squadron Association, made his final touchdown at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA. For more than a year he had conducted a valiant and courageous fight against pancreatic cancer. He was 76. Ron Dick was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 18 October 1931, but spent his boyhood in London. During World War Two he was on hand to witness the destruction of the front of the family home by a German bomb, whilst Hurricanes took on the Luftwaffe bombers overhead. He was educated at Beckenham Grammar School and was a cadet in the local Air Training Corps Squadron. In 1949 he was selected to participate in an inaugural exchange visit of cadets between the RAF and the USAF. In 1950 he won a cadetship to the RAF College Cranwell, where he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and awarded his Wings on 30 July 1952. After operational conversion training he became a fighter pilot on Meteors with 64 Squadron at Duxford. His exceptional talent as a pilot, particularly at aerobatics, was instantly recognised, and he became a member of the formation aerobatic team representing the RAF in 1953/54. 1955 was a notable year for Ron for three reasons: first, he graduated from Central Flying School (CFS), Little Rissington, as a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI); secondly he won the Clarkson Trophy for solo aerobatics; and thirdly and most importantly he married his charming wife Pauline (Paul). Son Gary was born in 1956, and daughter Peta in 1958. Ron became a QFI on Vampires at 5 FTS Oakington in 1956, where he won the Wright Jubilee Aerobatic Trophy, which was competed for by all the QFIs in the RAF. After a tour as an Examiner at CFS, he was posted as Flight Commander Instructor Pilot on exchange with the USAF at Craig AFB, Alabama, flying T33s with 3615th PTS. On promotion to Squadron Leader in 1962, he converted on to the Vulcan B2 at 232 OCU Finningley, and was posted to IX(B) Squadron at Coningsby as Flight Commander. One of the highlights of his first tour on IX(B) Squadron was in May 1963 when he piloted an all white Vulcan B2, XL388, bearing the name "Mayflower III" across the Atlantic to commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers from Boston, Lincolnshire. Ron first flew via Goose Bay, Labrador, to Offutt AFB, and made a protocol visit to the Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska, bearing the good wishes of the Mayor of Lincoln UK. The next destination of Mayflower III was Hanscom AFB, to perform a similar ceremony with a goodwill message from the Mayor of Boston, Lincolnshire, to the Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. The youthful Sqn Ldr Ron Dick (far left) with his crew in the office of the Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, 22 May 1963. After attending the RAF Staff College, Bracknell, in 1966, sandwiched by two staff tours in the Ministry of Defence, and promotion to Wing Commander, Ron attended the Joint Service Staff College (JSSC), Latimer, graduating as a 'Cormorant' in 1969. After all that reading and writing, he was mightily pleased to be put back onto flying duties, starting with a course at the School of Refresher Flying, Manby. A return to 230 OCU, now at Scampton, followed, and he renewed his close acquaintance with the Vulcan - an aircraft he flew with élan, precision and great skill. Ron became the CO of IX(B) Squadron at Akrotiri, Cyprus on 15 June 1970, when the Squadron was part of the Near East Air Force (NEAF) Bomber Wing. IX(B) Squadron had national and international responsibilities, and represented a formidable nuclear and conventionally armed contribution to NATO's presence in the Mediterranean. This was important after the closure in 1969/1970 of the British and American Bases in Libya, viz RAF Idris, RAF El Adem, and Wheelus AFB, and the increasing Soviet influence in the region. NEAF also supported the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) whose full members were UK, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan, with USA as an associate. The Vulcans by now had the all-white anti-flash livery replaced with a camouflage paint scheme to give some protection at low level, although the white in the roundels remained until they were toned down later. During his tour in Cyprus, Ron had ample opportunity to indulge in his lifetime interest of ornithology. He derived great pleasure from observing the pink carpet of thousands of flamingos on the salt lake between and Akrotiri and Limassol, and watching the vultures and Eleonora's Falcons on the cliffs at Episkopi. Following a recce visit to Ethiopia, when he visited Addis Ababa and Asmara (Eritrea), Ron was impressed with the humanitarian work being carried out at the Cheshire Homes. He decided that IX(B) Squadron should support the Cheshire Home in Asmara, and duly organised a visit there in a Vulcan, staging via the CENTO route over Turkey and Iran, and nightstopping at Masirah (Oman). The bomb bay of XL445 was crammed with medicines, cuddly toys, school supplies and furniture! After a smooth arrival at Asmara Airport, field elevation 7661 feet, with a very short runway, the goodies were distributed to the carers at the Home, who were overwhelmed with the generosity of IX(B) Squadron. In February 1972, Ron, ever the international traveller, flew a IX(B) Squadron Vulcan to New Zealand, via Masirah, Gan (Maldives), Tengah (Singapore), Darwin and Sydney. He made a huge impression by his usual virtuoso display in the 'Tin Triangle' in a series of low level performances over all the major cities and airfields in New Zealand. It was observed that he flew the Vulcan like a fighter - as indeed he did! After landing at RNZAF Wigram, South Island, a ceremony was held in Christchurch when Ron was presented with an historically important silver bat by Mrs Warner the 86 year old widow of a member of IX(B) Squadron during the 1920's. This bat has adorned the top table of IX(B) Squadron Dining-In nights ever since. During the stay in New Zealand a night time undercover party of RNZAF painters zapped the centre of the roundels each side of the nose of XH 562 with enormous kiwis. During the intermediate stops on the way home to Akrotiri, the international aviation press commented on this unusual addition to the RNZAF inventory! The perpetrators did not go unpunished - the next night all the A4 Skyhawks of 75 Squadron at Ohakea were emblazoned with flocks of green bats......... After reluctantly handing over command of IX(B) Squadron on 18 June 1972, and receiving a well deserved Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air, Ron was posted as a member of the Directing Staff at the highly regarded Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) in Belgrave Square, London. This appointment involved a great deal of academic work, diplomacy and tact, as well as organising a vast programme of activities for the high ranking military and civilian students fro 30 different countries. From the heart of Belgravia, Ron was promoted to Group Captain in 1974 and selected to be the Personal Staff Officer to General Alexander Haig, US Army, the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe at the HQ of SHAPE in Brussels. This high profile job involved advising and briefing his master on all facets of DSACEUR's vast responsibilities, and also the onerous duty of writing all the great man's speeches. Ron's previous joint service experience at Staff College, JSSC and RCDS, his proven command of the written and spoken word, and his equable and good-humoured personality ensured that he performed with distinction in this demanding personal appointment. After refresher flying at Leeming and Brawdy, and conversion to the Buccaneer, Ron became the Station Commander of Honington in 1978. He led detachments of the Low Level Strike Wing on Red Flag deployments to Nevada, and Maple Flag to Alberta. Promotion to Air Commodore quickly followed, along with a posting to the British Defence Staff (BDS) in Washington DC, as Air Attaché, where he was closely involved with vital and sensitive aspects of the Falklands conflict in 1982. An interlude back in Whitehall came next, as Director of Organisation & Quartering in the Ministry of Defence. Further promotion to AVM overtook him, and he was posted to Washington DC in 1985, this time as Head of BDS, Defence Attaché and the British Delegate to the UN Military Staff Committee. During the 1980's Ron flew a number of historic aircraft, notably the T6 Texan, P40 Warhawk and the P51 Mustang, with the Confederate Air Force in Texas. In 1983 Ron flew a restored B17G Flying Fortress from California across America, and thence across the Atlantic to England, for display at the RAF Museum, Hendon. Later, he advised on the aerial sequences for the film "Memphis Belle", which featured a B17 in World War 2. In 1987 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in London, and when he retired in the USA from the RAF on 15 August 1988, he was appointed by HM The Queen as a Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Bath (CB). After his retirement to Virginia, Ron wrote and lectured generally on famous historical figures, and military and aviation history. He was named a Smithsonian International Fellow at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, and a visiting lecturer at the USAF Air University at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. He had a long association with the International Association of Eagles, and produced the annual Gathering of Eagles graduation seminars for the Air University. In addition, he led the annual Smithsonian tours to the UK and Europe, and was much in demand on board Cunard and Princess Lines cruise ships. In 2006, he was the Smithsonian lecturer for the Starquest "Round the World by Private Jet" journey - an expensive outing for fare passengers! Ron was highly involved with a new venture, viz as the author and creator of books about the history of aviation. He teamed up with an American photographer, Dan Patterson, to produce a dozen books, and collaborated on three further books with Canadian author Donald Nijboer and Patterson. Ron and Patterson were chosen to create the USAF's 50th Anniversary book, American Eagles, published in 1997. They followed that well received project with a new landmark five volume history of Aviation, the Aviation Century series. The most recent publications were Heritage to Horizons, and 50 Aircraft that changed the World, released in 2007. Ron Dick was a man of immense charm, charisma and immaculate manners. When he was commanding IX(B) Squadron he demanded the highest standards in the air and on the ground, and ran a tight ship. His firm grip on every aspect of Squadron life was very evident, but he achieved all this with an admirable lightness of touch, ever present good humour, and a smile for everyone. He and Paul made Squadron members welcome in their OMQ at Akrotiri; there was no doubt who lived in that particular house - a substantial bat adorned the glass panel above the front door! Once inside, one was hospitably provided with copious quantities of Keo and Kokkinelli..... Ron Dick had a rich and varied life as an aviator, instructor, examiner, Flt Cdr, Sqn Ldr, Staff Officer, Stn Cdr, diplomat, academic, author, lecturer, international traveller, and lover of classical music, especially opera. His passion for flying remained undimmed despite his illness, and he was flying his yellow Tiger Moth shortly before he was posted to The Great Hangar in the Sky Above. Ron was in constant touch with the exploits of IX(B) Squadron, and to the very end he was inordinately proud of his long and close association with the premier Bomber Squadron in the Royal Air Force. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:45:07 GMT http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=37 IX(B) SQUADRON ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION Membership Rules 1. Full Membership (with voting powers) is limited to those who have served on IX(B) Squadron as aircrew, groundcrew or support staff. Subscriptions are to be renewed annually, at a rate set by the Committee. 2. Associate Membership (non-voting) is open to those who have not served on IX(B) Squadron. Applications should be submitted to the Secretary for consideration. Subscriptions are the same as for Full Members. 3. Membership will be lapsed if annual subscriptions remain unpaid for a period of three years. 4. Life Honorary Membership may be awarded by the Chairman in recognition of outstanding service to the Association; annual subscriptions are not required. Annual General Meeting(AGM) 5. An AGM shall take place in the late afternoon of the Annual Reunion. 6. In the event of ten Full Members wishing to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), the reasons shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary for consideration by the Committee. Association Committee 7. The Main Committee members are President, Vice-President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and OC IX(B) Squadron (ex-officio). The appointment of Treasurer may be combined with another Committee appointment. Two Co-opted Committee Members shall be appointed by OC IX(B) Squadron, viz a Service Liaison Officer (SLO) and a Deputy Service Liaison Officer(Dep SLO), both of whom should be serving IX(B) Squadron members. The Committee is empowered to co-opt any other Full Member to the Committee. Committee members shall stand-down after three years, unless they are re-elected. The Committee will meet annually before the AGM. All Committee members are appointed on an unpaid honorary basis. A quorum shall consist of any three Main Committee members. Responsibilities of Main Committee Members 8. President a. Preside over the Annual Reunion. b. Consider nominations for Life Honorary Membership, in consultation with the Chairman and Secretary. c. Submit an article for TABS by 1 April. 9. Vice-President a. Deputise for the President when necessary. 10. Chairman a. Authorise Full and Associate Membership. b. Award Life Honorary Membership after consultation with the President and Secretary. c. Liaise with the Secretary about the annual Committee meeting, AGM and Reunion. d. Chair the Annual Committee Meeting. e. Chair the AGM. f. Submit an article for TABS by 1 April. 11. Secretary a. Keep membership records. b. Receive and process annual subscriptions, Reunion charges and other monies. c. Liaise with the Chairman, OC IX(B) Squadron and PMC concerning the date of the Annual Reunion. d. Make detailed arrangements for the Annual Reunion with the PMC and Officers’ Mess Manager, and with OC IX(B) Squadron for the afternoon programme. e. Arrange the annual Committee meeting, AGM, and EGM (if convened). f. Prepare a Reunion information pack and return proforma, which should be mailed at the same time as TABS. g. As TABS Editor, arrange and prepare articles and photographs for TABS and to supervise printing and distribution. h. Nominate Era Secretaries for the various aircraft types. 12. Treasurer a. Keep full accounting records of all financial transactions. b. Consult with the Chairman and Secretary before making any major payouts of a non-routine nature. c. Provide the Chairman and Secretary with copies of bank statements at regular intervals. d. Prepare an annual Set of Accounts at the end of every Financial Year (5 April) for the inspection of Committee members. The approved Accounts are to be published in TABS. 13. OC IX(B) Squadron a. Liaise with the Secretary over the appointment of a Service Liaison Officer and Deputy Service Liaison Officer. b. Assist the Secretary with the afternoon programme for the Annual Reunion. c. Submit an article for TABS by 1 April. Responsibilities of Co-opted Committee Members 14. Service Liaison Officer a. Liaise with the Secretary and be a Point of Contact (PoC) for all serving groundcrew & support staff. 15. Deputy Service Liaison Officer a. Deputise for the SLO when necessary. b. Liaise with the Secretary and be a PoC for all serving groundcrew and support staff. Disbandment 16. In the event of the disbandment of the IX(B) Squadron Association, all funds and chattels shall be donated to IX(B) Squadron. In the event of the disbandment of IX(B) Squadron, all funds and chattels shall be donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund. MJM/RSJ/19 Sep 08. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:15:43 GMT http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=36 Thank you to defence contractor MBDA for advertising in TABS for the first time and helping to sponsor the production of TABS magazine. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:12:12 GMT http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=35 Association members Malcolm & June Grant have commissioned a silver Lancaster dedicated to Malcolm's father, Percy who died in a IX Squadron Lancaster. The silver Lancaster was donated to the IX(B) Squadron Silver Collection on 20 September 2008 and will be proudly displayed at all future Reunions and IX(B) Squadron functions. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:11:19 GMT http://www.association.9sqn.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=34 Our founder, Jim Brookbank resigned from his duties of Association Chairman, Treasurer and Editor of TABS magazine at the AGM on 20 September 2008. Spike Milligan has replaced him as Chairman and Dicky James has taken on the additional roles of Treasurer and Editor of TABS magazine. The Committee is: PRESIDENT: Air Marshal S W Peach CBE RAF VICE-PRESIDENT: Group Captain Alfie Ferguson RAF (Retd) CHAIRMAN: Air Commodore M J Milligan CBE RAF (Retd) SECRETARY: Squadron Leader R S James MBE RAF TREASURER: Squadron Leader R S James MBE RAF TABS EDITOR: Squadron Leader R S James MBE RAF Ex Officio OC IX(B) Squadron - Wing Commander Nick Hay RAF SERVICE LIAISON OFFICER: Warrant Officer Stu Bowers RAF DEPUTY SERVICE LIAISON OFFICER: Sergeant Andy Cairns RAF Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:07:47 GMT