99 Squadron complete charity aircraft pull
20th July 2012
Seven super-fit teams from the armed forces, police and medical services have taken part in an aircraft pull in aid of two forces charities.
This year they pulled a 75,000lb Lockheed C-130J Hercules along the runway at RAF Brize Norton.
The first pull was carried out by the team captains and their deputies to give them an idea of the task in hand.
After this, the competition started in earnest, one team at a time pulling the mighty C-130J and each hopeful of setting the fastest time.
After a series of heats 99 Sqn took the strain once more; ably helped by their OC Group Captain Manning, who, sadly for the last time as OC 99 led his men forward to glory, each man rising to the squadron’s motto of Quisque Tenax (Each One Tenacious).
As the rain began to fall the call went out “for the boss” and 99 pulled with all their strength, setting a blistering time of 24.6 seconds and taking the title for the second year running.
The main aim was not to see which team was the best at pulling the aircraft, but to help two charities and the people they assist.
The teams raised approximately £8000 on the day, with money going to the RAF Association and BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Service Men's Association).
If anyone is interested in entering a team for the 2013 Aircraft Pull please contact the 99 Sqn Association, which will be organising next year’s pull.
Email 99sqn-association@mod.uk for details, or, if you would like to know more about the aircraft pull and the history behind it, please visit the association website at www.99sqnassociation.co.uk