Thursday 6th Feb

Well this is it, for some of us just another deployment, for others a step into the unknown! It was 2000hrs and we met up with other Doctors and Nurses from Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for what was to be a long journey.

We set off for South Cerney mounting centre near Brize Norton arriving about 0100hrs to meet up with the remainder of the PCRF 100 staff, on arrival we met some of the other guys involved with the Cdo Logs decontamination unit who were also quite apprehensive, but combined with good old fashioned Band Service banter we soon put each other at ease (I think!). Not long after our arrival we were told of a slight delay! 12 hours in fact so we settled down for a long night.

Friday 7th Feb

Once in the air the flight was great: as much alcohol as you could drink, free massages and copious amounts of fine food! In reality there was tea and rat packs at least! I suppose we will have to leave the massages to Dartmouth Band and their jollies!

On our arrival some 8 hrs later at a joint RAF and USAF base in Oman, we were shown to our accommodation. This resembled holiday camp style chalets with air con and even an empty fridge, which was nice.

Saturday 8th Feb

Today we had a day's rest until we joined the ship on the Sunday, so we thought we would take advantage of the US Airbase next door. Surprise, surprise the Yanks have got a Pizza Hut, which cheered Musn Bott up no end. After we had each bought a Camelback (a drinking system) it was time to head over to the outdoor swimming pool. 100 nurses sunbathing and an outside temperature of 32 degrees, life certainly is difficult at times! To unwind after our strenuous day we went to the RAF Bar that night, as we didn't know when our next beer would be and there was also a Karaoke competition on. We were all just hoping BdSgt Pattison wouldn't get up and serenade the locals with his dulcet tones!

Sunday 9th Feb

An early start today as we had a 2 hour drive ahead of us to join the ship at Salalah Port, only to find out when we got there that there was yet another delay, the ship wasn't due in for another couple of hours! Then, all of a sudden someone mutters those immortal words "remain flexible". Well the ship eventually docked safely and we were welcomed onboard by the rest of the Band, who hadn't touched dry land for 3 weeks! Shortly after, we set sail for the Persian Gulf and spent the rest of the day settling in to our college like accommodation!

Monday 10th Feb

Today we started the long process of joining briefs and lectures from smoke walks to NBCD training, which I thought everyone was listening to quite attentively! A chocolate rationed Musn Karl "Elmo" Elwell turned up at our cabin door to inform us that there was a FOD plod on the flight deck to look for the 2 stone he had lost due to CSgt Dave Sharp's "gentle" circuits! Thankfully that completed the day's activities, just as well because we couldn't move anyway!

Tuesday 11th Feb

After eventually peeling ourselves out of our beds and rediscovering aching muscles we had forgotten about, we headed to the flight deck for an acclimatisation lecture held by CSgt Dave Sharp; how can anyone that old be that fit? The rest of the day was taken up with more riveting lectures.

Wednesday 12th Feb

Today we heard a rumour that we were going to meet the famous PCRF 25 Band, who were all old sweats at this game now. "The Salalah 13" headed out to the flight deck with trembling knees and sweaty palms as we saw them in their England sercoats and Bob the Builder hats. Our detail of how to fit in and around the "Chosin Few" was given to us and a worthwhile experience was had by all.

Thursday 13th Feb

We were all starting to feel part of the team now as we all had a PCRF 25 partner for phys! Joking aside, we were now beginning to blend together and work well, which has proved to be quite envied by our Naval counterparts. Today we were taking part in a Casualty Exercise with numerous casualties involved, one of the casualties being former Musn Dan Young, now a Medical Assistant onboard the Ark, good news for BdCSgt Eddie Neighbour, or is it?

Musn Steve Perry