Author Topic: ALL ARTICLES: Prince William in the Falklands. (Read 8400 times)

Hale · « **Reply #50 on:** February 20, 2012, 09:15:51 AM »

There was a time when I would have preferred William to jump into full time Royal duties, but I've come to accept that he wants to do something for himself before he takes on that full time role. Also, when I asked my husband about S&R he informed me that it can be very dangerous. The 6 week training exercise William is currently engaged him shall apparently enhance his skills, but it does have it's dangers. Apparently the weather in the Falklands are highly unpredictable.

So I wish him the best of luck and I have no doubt he must love the fact that he is so far, far away from the media. He can walk freely, drink at the local pub without fear of being papped.

Wilkat · « **Reply #51 on:** February 20, 2012, 07:40:09 PM »

He shows he wants to do more for others when he risks his life to save them. I have a lot of admiration for all the Search and Rescue men and women around the world, both civian and military, who devote their time for that purpose and I think it must be really rewarding to know you saved lives.

sophiechloe · « **Reply #52 on:** February 20, 2012, 08:06:20 PM »

Don't worry - I'm sure William is in no real danger. As for the others S&R men - I hope they stay safe and sound

Wilkat · « **Reply #53 on:** February 20, 2012, 08:15:40 PM »

Quote

Prince William plays key role in RAF SAR rescue
Written by BBC News
Dec. 1, 2011, Gwynedd, U.K. - Two Russian seamen rescued after their ship sank off the Gwynedd coast have thanked their rescuers.

Roman Savin, 26, and Vitaliy Karpenko, 48, were airlifted to safety by an RAF helicopter co-piloted by the Duke of Cambridge in the early hours of Sunday.

They told BBC Wales they were picked up after being swept off the deck as the MV Swanland broke up in high seas.

"I sincerely thank them because I understand how dangerous it was," said Mr Savin.

Every member of the team is in danger.

It's only natural to worry about a nation's heroes.

sophiechloe · « **Reply #54 on:** February 20, 2012, 08:23:31 PM »

William will never be in any danger - he is the heir to the heir - Just look at the security Kate has around her.

stepperry · « **Reply #55 on:** February 20, 2012, 09:05:10 PM »

It is dangerous in different way form than going to Afghanistan (which William never go to) as there no shooting or anything like that but it can often none the less danger be due to terrain they are flying near and/or wether when there making a rescue.(the security around Catherine or any royal or celebrity is to protect them from loonies who might try to hurt or kill or whatever)

Wilkat · « **Reply #56 on:** February 20, 2012, 09:08:49 PM »

As the RAF stated, every time Will takes off in the SAR helicopter, he, like his crew, is in danger. It's known as a highly hazardess occupation and he's right in the midst of it.

Quote

The weather was terrible, lashing rain and fog. Volunteers from the Llanberis mountain rescue team had already reached the stricken walker, but they couldn’t move him safely and time was running out. They needed a helicopter, and the one they got, an RAF Sea King, call-sign Rescue 122, was co-piloted by the future heir to the throne, just five hours after he had got back from London and clocked on to the day job.

At first, William and his crew couldn’t get close enough. They were thrown about by the gale. They couldn’t see through the fog. They didn’t know whether they’d fly – or be blown – into the side of the mountain. They landed 700 feet below, and set out on foot. But then there was a momentary break in the weather.

With only a few minutes to spare, the crew of Rescue 122 took off again, crossing their fingers that conditions would remain favourable for long enough
Figures from William’s station, RAF Valley, on Anglesey, show that in his first year as a qualified search-and-rescue pilot, there were 228 call-outs and 244 people were rescued. There are about four operational crews at Valley, and William, says the Air Force, does the same share as any other member. So it seems likely that Flight Lieutenant Wales and his three other crew members have personally rescued about 60 people

A lot of people would never dream of facing such danger. Will is not one of them.

cinrit · « **Reply #57 on:** February 20, 2012, 09:11:23 PM »

SAR danger is different from the danger of someone breaking into your house or kidnapping you off the street. Unless the protection officers can hold up the helicopters in the air, they're useless when William is working. I was wondering only a couple of weeks ago whether protection officers are anywhere near William when he is on duty.

Cindy

HRHHannah · « **Reply #58 on:** February 21, 2012, 07:46:34 AM »

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4142513/No-Kate-so-Prince-William-is-chasing-birds-in-the-Falklands.html

snokitty · « **Reply #59 on:** February 21, 2012, 08:15:51 AM »

The comments seem to be the most interesting part of this article.

Lothwen · « **Reply #60 on:** February 21, 2012, 08:53:42 PM »

^So.......what was he supposed to be doing in the Falklands again?

Interesting that he's [supposedly] not socializing with the people in his unit

Lindelle · « **Reply #61 on:** February 21, 2012, 08:59:37 PM »

Too posh do you think?

Lothwen · « **Reply #62 on:** February 21, 2012, 09:03:34 PM »

I understand wanting some solitude, but it seems strange that he wouldn't at least do some activities with them. It's almost like the article is trying to say that he can't cope without Kate, and that's very unfair, and dangerous, to him.

Lindelle · « **Reply #63 on:** February 21, 2012, 09:05:22 PM »

Hmmmm, maybe he needs a comforting type of person around him.
Like, someone to boost his ego.
I'm not sure he'd get that in the barracks. The other guys just want to get on with the job and go home, and not sook.

Lothwen · « **Reply #64 on:** February 21, 2012, 09:15:45 PM »

^But that's silly, IMO. All of the men there are seperated from their wives/girlfriends and some are seperated from their children as well. So it's not like William is in a special position

Lindelle · « **Reply #65 on:** February 21, 2012, 09:26:12 PM »

That's what i thought too when reading it.
He's not the only one with a new wife.
Oh poor William.

Hale · « **Reply #66 on:** February 21, 2012, 09:36:49 PM »

Quote from: stepperry on February 20, 2012, 09:05:10 PM

It is dangerous in different way form than going to Afghanistan (which William never go to) as there no shooting or anything like that but it can often none the less danger be due to terrain they are flying near and/or wether when there making a rescue.

That's exactly it Stepperry.

Most rescues are from mountains, the sea, from down cliffs etc.... As you say, there is the weather to contend with, electrical storms, gales, snow etc... My husband also reminded me of bird flight. Apparently a number of helicopters are forced to make emergency landings due to birds getting caught up in the propeller shafts.

Consequently, I feel I owe William a humble apology because as 2nd in line to the throne I thought he will NEVER be sent to a war zone and therefore him becoming a S&R pilot was doing somebody else out of a job until my husband began to relate to me just what S&R do. Sorry I can't relay all what he told me only it all became technical and I couldn't follow most of it.

wannable · « **Reply #67 on:** February 21, 2012, 09:42:48 PM »

That's neat, I love long and lonely/meditating walks in the beach. My beach front is the 'in' place to go low and high season, I might be selling and searching for a new unspoiled spot. I had to come back early this morning from the 2 day Carnival national holiday, over-crowded.

Quote

The Royal, 29, has been taking long walks on Bertha's Beach, which is home to a colony of penguins.

The white sands are famed for bird and marine life, with dolphins often coming close to the shore.

This is a treat, not many people have in their life-time to see or play with dolphins in their natural habitat.

http://images.travelpod.com/users/7tck7334/1.1275475168.berthas-beach.jpg
http://www.rowanhuntley.co.uk/gentoos%20at%20berthas%20beach%2001.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39873925@N02/4199982468/

iisuzieii · « **Reply #68 on:** February 21, 2012, 09:49:10 PM »

Thanks for the cool pics wannabe. I wonder if Kate is going to meet him there or if he is just going to fly back to london when he is done. I think he'll probably want to leave by then though.

Macrobug · « **Reply #69 on:** February 21, 2012, 10:05:18 PM »

wannable, I am officially very, very envious of you!!

I have heard that the Falklands are a naturalist/photographers dream place. William is lucky to be there

wannable · « **Reply #70 on:** February 21, 2012, 10:16:07 PM »

I wish those were my photos, they are published in the internet search engine. The closest to the Falklands I've been was 2 summers ago (there summer is now) -- Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Hale · « **Reply #71 on:** February 21, 2012, 11:35:42 PM »

Quote from: snokitty on February 21, 2012, 08:15:51 AM

The comments seem to be the most interesting part of this article.

Some of them are hilarious. This one is my favourite:

Quote

Must be a slow day for the two Royal bodyguards with him....."keep an eye out on that second penguin on the left whilst I frisk this one for concealed weapons."
Does he get bodyguard support when he's war gaming on his PC? And finally why is he carrying a bird guide penguin watching or doesn't he know hat one looks like?

cinrit · « **Reply #72 on:** February 22, 2012, 11:38:50 AM »

^^

Cindy

amabel · « **Reply #73 on:** February 22, 2012, 12:01:50 PM »

He's only there for a few weeks, like Harry's service in Afghanistan. He may be in some danger but not overwhelming.

Blue Clover · « **Reply #74 on:** February 22, 2012, 01:44:08 PM »

I am sure he will return safely once his stint is over. He is most likely well protected.