 Maggie decided to show how fast we could get troops down to MPA and l was working in In-Flight.There was me, sarge from the Office and a SAC who was on detachment, who had to get used to the heat, and having to work nights (12 hour shifts). This one night l went out for some fresh air with what we were told was atleast 4 hours before the first flight was coming in. Out over the sea there was this flash, being about 1am and Brazil to far away for it to be car headlights, l looked again, what seemed an eternity, there it was again another flash, then all the approach lights came on. Low and behold it was a Herc coming in, by the time l got the rest of the troops moving and called MT to get the truck ready and got the keys to the van there were another 2 sets of lights, the next 5 hours + we never stopped. Emptying one a/c re rationing another, despatching the wagon to look after the VC10's and the Tristars and the boss decided to come down to see how we were getting on, he was put on tea duty and he didn't argue, me a mere Cpl telling the Flt Lt to get the tea made. 8am came, how l got back to the block l still don't know, the meal l'd nuked (microwave!) and the tea l didn't even get to smell let alone eat, this is what happened for nearly 3 weeks We did get one break when a US Airforce green lizard came in, those 10 minutes were heaven! You tell people that these days and they'll never believe you!!!!! | 
