Free JET LAG! by Ryan Clifford Page B

briefing, if you like.’ He realised he was fighting a losing battle.
     
                  Todd smiled and the audience tittered. They all knew Jim Charles and about his phobia.
     
                  Whilst Jim was taking his place Todd continued with the briefing. He’d done it many times before and his audience had heard it many times as well, but today the AVM was present, so the brief had to be done again - in full - and as slickly as possible. Take-off was indeed 1100, so crews were required to walk to their aircraft at 1000. Ten minutes to get changed plus twenty minutes to tie up loose ends – this briefing must finish by 0930. Consequently, Todd got on with it.
     
                  Every now and then during the brief, the AVM would throw in a fastball question. On every occasion the answer came back without hesitation. It was clear that this was a good team who knew their job and were determined to get it right.
     
                  At 0925, Todd brought the proceedings to a close.
     
                  ‘Any further questions?’ To which there was silence.
     
                  ‘Right then, let’s do it.’
     
                  The AVM stood up and turned to face his audience. It was normal for a few words of praise and encouragement to be directed at the team before they set off on a difficult or important mission. However, the AVM surprised everyone in the room with his brief and somewhat curt statement.
     
                  ‘I hope you all realise the importance of this task. Both today and in the future you will need to be as sharp as possible to ensure the success of this mission. Remember who’s in charge and make sure that you are ready for any unexpected changes of plan. Whatever you do - don’t panic. You are all experienced crews so I expect the highest standards of professionalism and loyalty to be displayed. Do I make myself clear?’
     
                  He was greeted with silence. The aircrew were taken aback by this so-called pep talk and could only watch open mouthed as the AVM walked from the room. Todd remained and as the door closed behind the AVM the room erupted.
     
                  ‘What the bloody hell was that all about?’ shouted one voice. Others nodded their agreement and Todd was bombarded by comments from disenchanted flyers.
     
                  ‘Settle down, settle down. The AVM is under a great deal of pressure from MOD to get this right, and clearly he wants you to remember your responsibilities. I don’t think that that is unreasonable. Do you?’
     
                  The room quietened as flyers stood up to leave the room. Todd stopped them in their tracks.
     
                  ‘Have a good one, boys – sorry – and girls, just do your job and there will be no problems. Just do it as we have done it before.’
     
                  The team dispersed to complete their ‘personal admin’ before getting changed. Todd was left in the room with the Station Commander and OC 619.
     
                  ‘What the fuck was that all about?’ blurted Andy Millar.
                  ‘I have no idea,’ replied Todd, ‘I’ve never seen him like that before.’
     
    10
    RAF Marham
    1 April 1992
     
                  The pre-flight for the flypast went smoothly except that everyone got wet as they walked for the crew buses. A lone rain shower skirted along the edge of the airfield and soaked the aircrew as they ran from the shelter to the bus. Crews busily packed their private kit into the usual cubby holes in the cockpit and by 1000 hours, the last pilot checked in on the radio that he was ready. Todd called for taxy clearance and the aircraft made their way – in strict order - to the runway. The spare aircraft remained at the Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS), just in case they were