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The RAF Chinook Display Team 2006.

Captain – Flt Lt Richard Batey

Flt Lt Richard Batey joined the RAF in 1990 as a direct entrant cadet and started RAFC Cranwell in 1990. Following officer training he conducted flying training at RAF Linton on Ouse and RAF Valley before commencing Multi engine training at RAF Finningley. Following streaming he was posted to 24 Sqn to fly the Hercules where he completed a co-pilots tour operating across the globe in both the Air transport and Air to Air Refueling Role. After completion of this tour he changed roles and completed rotary training at RAF Shawbury in 1997. Following streaming he was posted to the Chinook at RAF Odiham. Since arrival he has served on both 18 and 27 Sqn and been involved in operations in all theatres of the world including Bosnia, Kosovo, The Falkland Is and Iraq and completed the Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructors course in 2002. In 2005 he was posted to RAF Shawbury and completed the Qualified Helicopter Instructors before returning to RAF Odiham to take up a post as an Operational Conversion Unit instructor. In total Flt Lt Batey has amassed about 3500 hours with over 1500 on the Chinook.

Captain – Flt Lt Ollie Wyatt

Flt Lt Oliver Whyatt joined the RAF in 1988 as a university cadet and started RAFC Cranwell in 1989. Following officer training he conducted flying training at RAF Church Fenton and RAF Valley before commencing rotary training at RAF Shawbury in Aug 1992. Following streaming to remain flying the Wessex he was posted on his first operational tour to 72 Sqn in Northern Ireland. A brief stint as the 3 Brigade Air Liaison Officer preceded a short tour to 60 Sqn at RAF Benson before returning for his second operational tour in Northern Ireland in April 1997. In January 1999 he was posted to Headquarters 16 Air Assault Brigade at Colchester helping to plan and conduct exercises and operations worldwide for the 5000 strong Brigade. In January 2001 he was posted to RAF Odiham to convert to the Chinook and joined 27 Sqn in September 2001. Early the following year he was involved in war fighting operations in Afghanistan and in 2003 war fighting operations in Iraq. Posted to 18 Sqn in September 2004 after yet another tour of duty in Iraq he was the display copilot last season before being selected to display the Chinook this season. In total Flt Lt Whyatt has amassed about 3500 hours with over 1000 on the Chinook.

Co-pilot – Flt Lt Simon Cooney

Flt Lt Cooney joined the RAF in Aug 1990, undergoing IOT on 129 Cse graduating in Dec 90. He completed navigator training in Feb 93 and Graduated from 11 RW Cse AFT at RAF Shawbury in Sep 94. Having completed No2 Chinook HC2 course at RAF Odiham, Flt Lt Cooney was posted to 7 Sqn in Jun 95, then to 18 Sqn where he served from Jun 97 until Jun 01. He then underwent a fast jet cross-over serving with 100 Sqn and 25 Sqn before returning to 18 Sqn in Sep 03. His total hrs are 2126, of which 457 are fixed wing and 1669 are rotary. Of his rotary hrs, he has flown 1472 hrs on the Chinook HC2 and currently holds a CR cat. Flt Lt Cooney was the display co-pilot for the 2004/5 season.

Co-pilot – Flt Lt Chris Middleton

Flt Lt Chris Middleton is 34 years old and was born in Inverness. Whilst attending the University of Glasgow he became a member of the University Air Squadron before joining the RAF in 1995. He commenced navigator training in 1996 and 2 DHFS ME at RAF Shawbury in 1998 before entering the Chinook OCU in 1999. During his time on Chinooks he has been a member of all 3 Squadrons. Recently returned from Operations in Afghanistan, he has also spent time on Operations in Iraq, Bosnia, Turkey and Northern Ireland.

Co-pilot – Flt Lt Adam Watts

Flt Lt Watts is originally from Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway. Whilst attending the University of Glasgow he became a member of the University Air Squadron before joining the RAF in 2000. Following his commissioning in 2001 he was posted to the DHFS at RAF Shawbury. In 2002 Flt Lt Watts was selected to attend 18 Squadron’s Chinook OCF at RAF Odiham before beginning his operational career in 2003 with B Flt 27 Squadron. Since then he has completed detachments in Iraq, the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland as well as taking part in Op MATURIN, the UK’s contribution to aid relief in the earthquake hit region of Kashmir in Pakistan.

Crewman – FS Jamie Dunkerley

FS Dunkerley joined the RAF in 1987. After basic military training he started his Aircrew training at RAF Finningley. Moving to RAF Shawbury, he completed his basic rotary training and was posted to 240 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Odiham. After completing the Chinook OCU, he was posted to No 18 Sqn, RAF Gutersloh in 1989. He deployed to the Middle East, taking part in Operation Granby, the first of his two Gulf Wars. From 18 Sqn, he moved to No 7 Sqn at RAF Odiham in 1992. In 1998 he was selected for instructor training and returned to 18 Sqn. Deploying on Operation TELIC to Iraq in 2002, he has also operated in many other theatres. He has over 4500 Chinook hours.

Crewman – FS Sam Norris

FS Norris joined the RAF in Aug 1999. Previously, he served 25 years in the Royal Navy; initially as a submariner and from 1983, as a Search and Rescue diver/crewman. He has over 2000 hours Wessex and Seaking and has participated in more than 300 rescues. He completed No 15 Chinook course in May 2000 and was posted to 18 (B) Sqn. He has since flown 1300 hours and operated in diverse places such as Norway, Sierra Leone, Morocco and Iraq. He is currently the crewman Standards Officer.

Crewman – Sgt Stuart Logan

Sgt Stuart Logan joined the RAF as an Air Loadmaster in January 2001. On completion of basic loadmaster training at RAF Cranwell he carried out advanced flying training on the Griffin helicopter at RAF Shawbury. He was posted to the Chinook wing at RAF Odiham in February 2003 and is currently an Air Gunnery Instructor on 27 Squadron with over 1000 hours Chinook. Sgt Logan has operated in a variety of UK based exercises as well as having completed tours in Iraq and most recently Afghanistan.

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