Connected for Life: Tornado Tribute Tour of England Update.
As part of our ongoing activity marking 30 years since the first Gulf War, we wanted to consider the role of friendship during conflict and beyond and being connected for life.
Mal Craghill and Martin Wintermeyer have been friends for more than 30 years, having met while serving in the Royal Air Force as Tornado navigators. As those who have served in the military will tell you, the friends you make there are friends for life. There is something about the shared experiences that forge strong bonds.
The original plan for the TTTE was for Mal and Martin to ride together for over 670 miles to commemorate those who were lost. Even though they have been friends for years and they planned to do something they love, spending ten days together and cycling long distances would test any friendship. The pair would have got each other through the challenge though. And they still will, just a bit later in the year than planned.
The pair are still honouring the friends and colleagues who never came home by undertaking a series of solo 'virtual mass participation' rides, encouraging anyone with a link to the Tornado crews, whether former colleagues, or friends and family members of those who died, to join them in spirit.
The sense of camaraderie is obvious on the TTTE Facebook page. Although the conflict was 30 years ago, the bonds of lifelong friendship remain strong.
Friends and former colleagues have come together to pay their respects and are providing a great source of support to each other, and to the families of those who lost their lives.
Both Mal and Martin have mentioned that they were unable to grieve 30 years ago, as they had a job to do. Their local solo rides are giving them the opportunity to remember and reflect upon the impact of their grief, whilst feeling the support of a wider community behind them.
Speaking of the loss of Norman Dent and Kieran Duffy of 14 Squadron, Martin said:
"Although I was part of 14 Squadron, I was guesting on IX Squadron. I went into work on 13 January to be told that two good mates were missing. It was obviously a shock, but there was no time to grieve, no time to process the information, we had a job to do.
"That night's sortie was very different to those we had flown before, very technical, so we had to concentrate. There never seemed to be time to stop and think about those we would never see again or go for a beer with again, to think about their families at home and the massive impact the losses would have on them. These rides are giving that opportunity, so as well as marking their loss, I am able to think about the good times we had together."
On 22 January Mal returned from a 16 mile ride to commemorate the deaths of Garry Lennox and Kev Weeks and recorded a moving video message. He said:
"I woke up this morning 30 years ago to the news that Garry and Kev had failed to return from a mission over Iraq and then I had to get myself together and go flying that night on an operational sortie in Iraq. Thirty years on I realise that I never had time to come to terms with that grief, because you had to compartmentalise it at the time and get on. The missions kept coming thick and fast. There was a war to be fought and we were there doing a job.
"I'm finding these rides really cathartic and helpful to me, not just to have time on the bike alone to remember some really great guys, but to appreciate that the grief is still there and has been festering for many years. We're really glad to have so many of you along with us. We're doing this for the guys we lost and the families they left behind. Thanks for being with us."
Recognising the value of friendship and shared experiences, Mal became an RAF Association Connections for Life volunteer in 2020. He speaks to three RAF veterans every week. His friendship, through a regular phonecall, provides an opportunity to have a friendly chat to someone who understands, breaking up the day and giving the comfort of knowing you are not alone.
For thousands of people this truly is a lifeline. Connections For Life is a comprehensive service for those in the RAF community who are lonely, isolated or facing difficulties alone. We've always looked out for our own and that will never change. We believe that once you're part of the RAF community, you're always part of it. That's why we're determined to do all we can to make sure no one feels lonely, isolated or left behind, especially during lockdown.
Feeling lonely?
Are you feeling lonely or isolated? You don't need to face life on your own. The Connections for Life service is there to offer you a friendly volunteer to talk to. If you think the service might benefit you, please call 0800 018 2361 or email: [email protected].
Want to help?
Right now, there are members of the RAF community who are lonely and isolated. As a Connections Volunteer, you could change that. It's a great way to use your skills, give something back and feel rewarded by the positive impact you have made. To find out more about volunteering email: [email protected] 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.
