The weather has been superb for mountaineering this winter despite the lack of snow, lots of ice has formed and added to the great weather make it ideal for winter walking. These unique conditions have meant ideal surroundings for teaching in the mountains. No gales, spindrift or the usual survival aspects associated with winter mountaineering. It will soon go back to normal.

The team was involved in looking for a missing Army Major who had left his car in the Glen Nevis car park after spending the night in the Youth Hostel below Ben Nevis in late January. He had left a vague plan to climb some of the local hills on his own training for a big event in Wales later in the year. When he did not turn up for work on the Monday in Glasgow he was reported missing by his bosses. The Kinloss team arrived to assist the local Police, Lochaber, Glencoe and Leuchars Mountain Rescue teams in a search. Teams searched for 3 days in superb weather and found nothing, in all, over 100 team members, Search Dogs and 2 helicopters - Rescue 137 from Lossiemouth and Rescue 177 from Prestwick were all involved. Unfortunately all found no trace of the missing person despite a huge effort. Both military teams went back at the weekend to search, but again no trace was found. The area searched was massive covering over 20 mountains over 3000 feet and nearly 100 kilometres, in the best weather I have ever been on a major search in winter. The ground covered searching was extremely icy and all teams, who gave it everything, every day of the search, covered some extremely steep ground. In these sad incidents it is very hard especially when you meet the parents and work colleagues of the missing person to scale down a search. Whenever possible the local teams and ourselves will continue looking when ever we are in the area. This is the least we can do for the family. A huge thanks to all the sections both at Lossiemouth and Kinloss who greatly assisted the team by releasing team members for this callout during these days of manning problems within the RAF. The family and friends of the missing Major appreciated the team’s efforts and were extremely grateful to the teams for their hard work.

Our annual winter course is held at the end of February and this is a vital part of the Teams training. Team members from all 4 RAF Mountain Rescue Teams come to Scotland for 10 days winter mountaineering held in the Cairngorms and Ben Nevis. This is an exclusive chance to train in the Scottish environment with a Pupil Instructor Ratio of one to one. All the usual winter skills are covered from basic mountain skills, to ice climbing and Rescue skills, hopefully producing experience in winter mountaineering and possible Instructors for the future. The three pupils SAC “Greece” Dobbs, Safety Equipment RAF Lossiemouth, SAC “Giant” Freestone and SAC Dai Groom, 14 Sqn Lossiemouth will have a really physically demanding course weather permitting as they're on the mountains every day.

A few lucky team members have been to Canada on an ice – climbing/ Rescue skills expedition. The team have been visiting the Banff area of the Rockies since 1982. This involved 12 members from all the Four RAF Mountain Rescue teams giving an opportunity to work with each other and learn new skills. Some of the best ice routes in the world are in this area and a magnificent opportunity to climb world-class routes in an outstanding area. The unique weather and ice conditions allow team members to operate in superb surroundings and in usually perfect weather conditions.
Farewell to SAC Dave McCallum from Lossiemouth paint shop, Dave has been with the team and achieved a great deal in his 5 years in the team. Dave with a background as a Keeper was a handy man to have around and rose very quickly through the team ranks, becoming a party leader within 3 years. He enjoyed the mountain life and gained several civilian qualifications through Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore. Dave became a very capable instructor and was a breath of fresh air within the team. This has stood him in good stead for the future, as he has just been successful in gaining a well sought after job in Civvy Street. Dave is very typical of the type of team member who comes with limited experience and quickly achieves a lot within our system. It is great to see these young troops develop and move on to be a credit to the system. Many thanks for all your efforts and all the best for the future.

Finally congratulations to Fergie (lucky man) and Susie who married last week in Dunoon. Both are team members and the whole team was invited to the wedding, which was a special day. We wish them well for the future, two exceptional people who will have a great life together.

The team are still looking for members, if you fancy something a bit different why not pop in and have a chat with FS Mick Morris or Sgt Stu MacIntyre. It may change your life or you may “find a wife or husband”

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Sgt Rusty Bale one of the two RAF summiteers on Everest in 2001 is posted back to RAF Lossiemouth working as Ground crew with 202 Sqn. Rusty a fully qualified team leader may be able come out with the team on the odd weekend training exercise and callout. Welcome back to Rusty and Nerys, they are delighted to be posted back to Scotland after a medal winning tour with the Chinooks in Iraq and Afghanistan