Herc ground crew badges

[ianh67military]

Please see attached photo of todays purchase. 12 badges from Russ Cosier, who appears to have been ground crew to C-130 Hercules and a 15 Squadron Tornado as well as 54 Squadron Jaguars.
Descriptors on the name badges include “ENGINES” “PROPULSION” “SUMPY” “GROUNDCREW C-130”, “PROPULSION C-130” and puzzlingly “ALSS C130 SOOTY”.
5 of the badges have Hercs on them. Any idea what ALSS actually stands for? A quick google has revealed usage by RAF types, but no explanation.
I’ve not seen the UNHCR badge before either.
Anyways a nice collection from one man’s career.

Ian H

[conservator]

Ian,
ALSS stands for 'A' Line Servicing Squadron.
At Lyneham, the aircraft were allocated to either A Line or B Line and the ground crew that worked on the flight line (ramp) also belonged to either ALSS or BLSS. Ground crew trades involved were Airframe, Propulsion, Electrician and Flight Line Mechanic (FLM); other trades were borrowed, as required, from their places of work e.g. Comms, Radar, Flight Systems, Safety Equipment etc.
Aircraft tradesmen were known amongst themselves by a variety of slang names. Airframe personnel were also known as Riggers and Heavies; Propulsion personnel were also referred to as Heavies, Enginemen, Sooties or Sumpies amongst other more derogatory names. FLMs (pronounced Flems) carried out most of the First-line servicings (Before-flight, Turn-round and After-flight servicings with replenishment tasks)
The aircrew belonged to one of the four main squadrons, 24, 30, 47 and 70 and were allocated aircraft from ALSS or BLSS depending on their task and role fit of the aircraft.
Nice badges.
George

[ianh67military]

George,
Thanks for a very informative answer.
Ian H

[wardog]

General term for a flight line airman was a Liney. Thanks for the memory jog back to '83-'85. Regards, Paul.

[blueboy684]

I arrived at Lyneham on 14th Feb 1983 to PRF (Propulsion Repair Flight) - Engine Bay. Posted to 'F' Troop B Line on 7th Mar 1984 and thence overseas on 10th March 1986.

Marvellous time on the 'Albert' including 'Op Bushell' in November 1985.