ODE TO THE F/RF-111
By
Wing Commander Jack Lynch MBE, (Ret’d)
13 December 2011
The crews of the ‘Pig’ had gathered amass
At the United Service Club
For a big celebration on this special occasion
It was the ideal swanky pub
Big Al , Doc and Boggie arranged a really great show
With Shep in the Chair, minus all of his hair
Proceedings were set and ready to go
Shep led, as expected, from the front with heart
Laying out simple rules from the very start
That set the theme, for the eager team
Who all had flown the swing wing dream
Our beloved ‘One Eleven’ had drawn us together
To reminisce, laugh, and chat
By the end of the night, that theme proved right
Every man had done just that
The hirsute Big Al was Mister Vice
With important things to do
Propose the odd toast, and act as the host
For guests spinning tales of their derring-do
From out of the wood came numerous blokes
Who’d not seen each other in years
But the night was right, to appease that plight
With food, good wine, and a few cold beers
Al Green, Bob Bruce were our welcome links
To our aircraft’s early days
We thought we’d ‘bought a pup’, when the wings played up
With five years of frustrating delays
At last in nineteen seventy three
The Pig got to call Amberley ‘home’
Crew’s tales from then, til December O Ten
Would fill a gigantic bound tome
Solemnity ruled when we toasted the crews
Whose lives were lost, and we got the sad news
That’s as bad as it gets, for those who fly jets
Forever young in our minds they will stay
May the new generation, pay due veneration
As they carry the banner today
We toasted the troops who kept us aloft
And teams unseen elsewhere
Like success in all groups, the jocks and the troops
All tote their own personal share
Herbie gave a great witness account
Of the Rogers and Growds ejection
To abandon ship, and take a wee dip
Made sense as the timely election
Suffice to say ‘twas a very sad day
When the last wheels rolled to the chocks
The fast low penetration, of our generation
Just a dream for the new Hornet jocks
For we who flew it, and loved it, and knew it
The Pig’s end was a bit premature
But decisions like these, by those Canberra ‘Bs’
We’ve all had to learn to endure
The degree of the teamwork twixt pilot and nav
Made me often think I was a twin
With Yanks in competitions, there were sound suppositions
That the lads from DownUnder would win
I loved every minute that I spent in it
And I’d saddle up again tomorrow
But I’ll remember each ride, with affection and pride
With never a hint of sorrow
So take up the cudgel young Hornet whips
And build on the Pig’s great foundation
Learn your OODA Loops, and respect the troops
Give your best to defend this great nation
‘PER ARDUA AD ASTRA’