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Operation TRIMDON News After many years and a lot of good work from a heap of people, there is good news in relation to Trimdon. Below are recent experiences from our members. (many thanks especially to Ian Foster and Dave Charles) The Repatriation Commissioner has determined that flight crew that operated from NAS Sangley Point for Trimdon activities would be deemed to have entered the specified operational area which then gave rise to ‘Qualifying Service’, an essential ingredient in obtaining a Gold Card. There are other considerations of course, but that is one of some substance. Regrettably, the Lae and Guam types have not been favourably treated (in fact, excluded) from this determination and will need to box on into the next millennium. The process is initiated by lodging an ‘APPLICATION TO DETERMINE QUALIFYING SERVICE BY A VETERAN OR MARINER’ located on the DVA website. Some proof of involvement is required (Log Book extract, perhaps covered in a Stat Dec). Those who satisfy the requirements and have been previously refused should try again as there has been some success of late. “Having recently turned 70, I have just applied for a Gold Card based upon my participation in three sorties during Operation Trimdon. My application has been successful. The DVA official informed me that any RAAF aircrew, which flew one or more Trimdon sorties from NAS Sangley Point is also eligible on turning 70.” “All I can do is reiterate what the lady at DVA said – that if you flew Trimdon missions out of NAS Sangley Point you are eligible on reaching age 70. This is a recent determination. Subsequent to my application, I have submitted proof of identity, and a certified copy of my logbook pages, per her request.” As you may be aware, DVA has accepted that the 4 crews that recovered to Butterworth following their Trimdon sortie went within 100NM of Vietnam and are entitled to Qualifying Service, DVA now state that the other 3 Sangley crews also went into the Vietnam specified operational area also Qualify. When queried about the Lae/Guam crews DVA stated that they were not being considered as they could not have gone into Vietnam. ==================================================================== One of our members has provided info from the UK re this book described below. 'Nimrod, Rise and Fall'. Author: Tony Blackman. The scrapping of the Nimrod programme has been one of the most controversial events in the military aviation world for many a year. For most of its operational life, from 1969 to date, its contribution to the defence of the realm and its role in offensive duties was, of necessity, often shrouded in secrecy. It was the 'eye in the sky' which was absolutely vital to a host of activities - from anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, to support of land battles throughout the world, to the Falklands campaign, to combating drug-running, the Nimrod's unsung role was paramount. And now the UK is bereft of such a multi-tasking reconnaissance aircraft. The full story of the Nimrod, and its significance, now needs to be told. Tony Blackman, who was there at the beginning, test-flew nearly every aircraft and was at Kinloss on the very day the project was cancelled, has written this timely book, "Nimrod Rise and Fall", covering every facet of its history, its weapons system developments and its tragic accidents. He writes in an approachable way, making technical subjects understandable but his conclusions will, inevitably, not be welcomed by everyone. Cost: about UK Pounds 20 Can be purchased on-line at fishpond.com.au for about A$30. To view the product click on the link below or copy and paste the link into your web browser: http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Nimrod-Tony-Blackman/9781908117793 or Australian distributor: Capricorn Link PO Box 704, Windsor, NSW 2756 Email : sales@capricornlink.com.au
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