Tornado Tribute Tour of England – Gulf War veterans honour fallen colleagues with charity bike ride.
To mark the thirtieth anniversary of the end of the 1991 Gulf War, of Operation Desert Storm and Operation GRANBY, and the contribution made by RAF aircrews, two RAF veterans are planning a 670-mile bike ride visiting grave sites of Tornado aircrew lost in the Middle East 30 years ago.
Like so many people in the last year, Mal Craghill and Martin Wintermeyer have had to change their plans to fit in with the latest COVID-19 restrictions. They were originally planning to start in Cornwall on 19 February at the grave of Flight Lieutenant Steve Hicks, visit five other English grave sites, and end on 28 February at the grave of Flight Lieutenant Norman Dent in Tyne and Wear. These plans have now been put on hold until later in the year, once lockdown restrictions allow. In the meantime, they are embarking on a series of short solo rides in their respective local areas, joined virtually by friends, family and former colleagues.
Mal and Martin were both navigators on the Tornado GR1 and both flew in the Gulf War. They have trained hard for their cycling challenge, clocking up hundreds of miles of riding in all weather. They have also been busy raising money for the Royal Air Forces Association and, despite plans changing, have already raised more than their target of £10,000. This is thanks in part to corporate sponsorship from Nova Systems, Endura, Inzpire, Blue Bear Systems Research, Leonardo, Affinity Flying Services, On-Pole Limited and Mass.
Mal said:
“The Royal Air Force deployed a large force of Tornado GR1 attack and reconnaissance aircraft to the Gulf and sadly not all of the aircrew came home. This charity cycle ride is our way of remembering them, while raising money for a great cause.”
Martin added:
“We chose to support the RAF Association as it’s a cause close to our hearts. With over 50 years’ service between the two of us, we have seen how much of a difference the Association has made to the lives of many members of the RAF family.”
“Our ride in April will also take us to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where we will pay our respects at the Gulf War Memorial and the Armed Forces Memorial. The latter commemorates not just the Tornado aircrew killed on deployed operations, but also those lost in training accidents in the UK. Although the ride was conceived to remember our Tornado friends and colleagues, the Jaguar force also lost pilots and we will be remembering them too.”
The pair are being supported by Gulf War veteran John Peters, who was shot down by Iraqi forces, held as a POW, and then paraded on television by Saddam Hussein’s brutal regime. Speaking of the charity bike ride, John said:
“Mal and Martin’s cycle challenge is a hugely impressive undertaking and I wish them all the very best for their ride, whenever it takes place.”
“I knew all the Tornado crews whose graves they are visiting, and it is a privilege to support their cause. This is a moving and poignant way to remember the sacrifice made by Tornado aircrew in that conflict and a great way to honour them and their families.”
You can help the intrepid pair raise funds by visiting their JustGiving page. Find out more about our series of events to mark 30 years since Operation Desert Storm / GRANBY which includes regular blogs and interviews in the lead up to the 28th February 2021, 30 years since the end of the Gulf War.
