CORONATION FLYPAST

The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla. For many, the preceding months had been a combination of excitement, hard-work, and determination that the day’s events were to be conducted perfectly. A sentiment that many at RAF Odiham echoed as the sun began to rise.

Sadly, the weather had not been given the memo, and the bright, almost cloudless skies of the day before had been replaced by dark grey, low clouds, accompanied by a constant combination of strong winds and rain. Not ideal conditions for a flypast over Buckingham Palace, an event that was highly anticipated and set to be the culmination of a spectacle of Military display, the like of which had not been seen since the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953.

Despite the weather, for those at RAF Odiham, the day continued as planned. Six Chinooks in total were wheeled out of their dry hangers and positioned on the dispersal. Only three were planned to take part in the flypast, however contingencies for an event of this magnitude needed to be in place, so each Squadron had provided a spare, just in case.

Engineers from each Squadron had performed their pre-flight checks and deemed all the primary aircraft airworthy. The pilots, co-pilots and crewmen had completed their pre-flight briefs and weather checks for the day, so now began the waiting game. Speculation was rife - would the weather conditions improve enough for all the RAF aircraft to take part in the flypast? Would there be a scaled down flypast? Would there even be a flypast at all?

Speculation had to be put aside though, as the clock ticked to 12:30 the walk out to the aircraft started. The pilots and crewmen were already on board, waiting for their passengers, rotors turning, anticipating the moment when they would begin their lift into formation. The route had been planned; the first stop was RAF Benson to link up with the rest of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) contingent.

It still wasn’t clear if there was going to be a flypast, but at 12:41, three Chinooks manoeuvred off the dispersal into position, noses pointed West and lifted into the mizzle.

Transiting across to RAF Benson to link up with the other JHC Helicopters gave an insight into just how difficult the weather conditions were proving to be. Crosswinds and eddying low clouds buffeted the aircraft on the short journey to Oxfordshire, so it came as no surprise when it was announced over the radio that all other elements of the Flypast, except for the rotary element and the Red Arrows had been cancelled.

It was a momentary stop off a Benson, as the helicopters joining the flypast from the Royal Navy, Commando Helicopter Force, Army Air Corps and RAF Shawbury moved into their positions, and the RAF Benson Puma slotted into place behind the Chinooks. This manoeuvre complete, the whole rotary wave lifted as one and moved off towards London. The usually short flight to the Capital was extended which meant skirting around the north of London, following the route of the M25, before turning in towards the city around Epping. Approaching London from this angle meant that the flight along The Mall and over Buckingham Palace would be timed and positioned perfectly.

The anticipation inside the aircraft was growing, with cameras at the windows, as those lucky enough to be on the flight hoped to capture a shot of the coronation celebrations from a very unique vantage point.

The iconic landscape of central London came into view and the excited crowds around London were just visible in the haze below. The anticipation within the cabin was almost tangible as the crews made their final position adjustments. The Mall came into view below, with the focal point, Buckingham Palace just visible in the distance.

Exactly on time, the flypast passed over His Majesty The King, and Her Majesty The Queen, in celebration of this once in a lifetime event. Joined by members of the Royal Family and an enthusiastic crowd of well-wishers, all turned their faces skyward to watch the procession of helicopters from across JHC as they carried out their commemoration to those assembled.

Then, less than 30 seconds later, the flypast was complete. All that remained was the short journey home to RAF Odiham, whilst the rest of the helicopter contingent dispersed to their home bases. Touching down at 15:10, the reality of the day had not quite set in. The pride felt by those involved was immense, being able to carry out the flypast in such uncertain conditions, for such a historic occasion was a career highlight. All that was left to do was to head on home, join the celebrations of family and friends and maybe have a bit of Coronation Quiche.

JHC PERSONNEL RECOGNISED IN THE 2023 KING'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST

The following current and former JHC personnel have been recognised by His Majesty the King in his first Official Birthday Honours.

Appointments to the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

As Officers (OBE)

Col R Ball

Wg Cdr T Affleck

As Members (MBE)

AS1 (now acting Cpl) P D Lama

Meritorious Service Medal

WO1 (now Capt) S A Williams

MAcr S Cartledge

Acting WO L B Pearce

First Sea Lord Commendation

Maj USMC T Nell

PO D Sutherland

Chief of the General Staff Commendation

Maj H Hayward

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation

SSgt S L Thomas

Chief of the Air Staff Commendation

Cpl O J Flower

Royal Navy Commendation

Maj M O’Sullivan CPO C Douglas

Commander Field Army Commendation

Capt M Greening

G6 Sigs Dept, 47 Regt RA (Team Commendation)

Deputy Commander Operations Commendation

Flt Lt (now Sqn Ldr) G R Smith

7 Sqn Trg Flt, RAF Odiham (Team Commendation)

Chief Joint Operations Commendation

Maj R Jones

Sqn Ldr M Bridge

Commander Joint Helicopter Command Commendation

Lt T Morris

Lt M Pengelly

Capt R Clarke

Flt Lt S Bradley

Flt Lt (now Sqn Ldr) B Johnson

Flt Lt S Hollick

Fg Off R Bull

WO1 E A Patterson

A/WO2 L Keatley

CPO R Martin

FS R White

CSgt M Carter

PO D Calderwood

Sgt N Dunstan

A/Sgt S McVay

Cpl D Scaddan

Cpl M Towner

LCpl A White

LCpl R Simpson

Mr G Kelly

Mrs H Walton

667 Sqn AAC (Team Commendation)

SFOC MSS Team, Wattisham (Team Commendation)

28 Sqn Eng Sp Flt, RAF Benson (Team Commendation)

Logs Spt Sect, Tactical Supply Wing (Team Commendation)

Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group Commendation

Sqn Ldr A E J Gough

Sqn Ldr R M Webb

Flt Lt S Chambers

Sgt S P Ash

A/Sgt K L Douglas