Wounded, injured and sick military (WIS) personnel enjoyed the fourth ‘Warriors at Wallop’ flying day at the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop on Saturday 21st September, at an event sponsored by Boeing.
Disability flying charity Aerobility, in partnership with the Air League, hosted the event, a unique flying day for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and their families. During the day, guests had the opportunity to fly in a wide range of aircraft, with 70 flights taking place in total. Flights were provided by five different organisations:
Aerobility, The Air League, Flying for Freedom, Army Gliding and the Historic Army Aircraft Flight (HAAF).
‘Warriors at Wallop’ has been running for four years and the event is part of Aerobility’s flying programme for wounded, injured and sick military personnel across the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Joanne Smith, who participated in Warriors at Wallop and who suffers from chronic pain as a result of an injury, said: “Thank you for a wonderful day at Middle Wallop, it was brilliant, and the hard work you all put in is deeply appreciated. Thanks to you, through the whole flight in the microlight, I wasn’t focused on my pain and you have no idea how wonderful that was. Thank you.”
Mike Miller-Smith MBE, Aerobility CEO, said: “When you acquire an injury or illness whilst in military service, it can be incredibly isolating and traumatic. Through our WIS Flying Programme and flying days like Warriors at Wallop, Aerobility supports serving and ex-military personnel of all ranks and ages, to experience the freedom flying can bring, enjoy quality time with their families and understand that disability or illness doesn’t have to be a limitation on life.”
Nick West, CEO of The Air League added: “The Warriors at Wallop event saw members of the UK’s armed forces Wounded Injured and Sick (WIS) community take to the skies in Historic Army Aircraft Flight Scout and Sioux helicopters and Auster and Beaver fixed wing aeroplanes.
Flying for Freedom and Aerobility delivered an outstanding contribution with their flexwing, Piper PA-28 and Tecnam P2002s. In addition to this impressive fleet, a Chipmunk and an Army Gliding Association tug and gliders added to the flight experiences available.
The event had a tremendous effect in inspiring WIS veterans, a number of whom were joined by members of their families and it was a genuine privilege to work with other dedicated leaders in the sector and of course our dear friends at Boeing, who made the day possible.”
