Mayhem at Mehran

The past, it is said, is another country; seems more apt though in some cases than others. The country I intend taking my readers to is the fledgling Naval aviation base of MEHRAN of the late seventies. It all started when I arrived at the base, sometime in the summer of 1978, on a routine naval mission: to return the kit items I had been…

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A Lesson in Trust

While on watch one wintry night, My keenly roving eyes espied A faint and faraway light Fine on starboard side. ‘A boat engaged in fishing’, The Captain said to me, ‘Looks like her bearing Is more or less steady’.

Medical Medley

Speaking generally, perhaps too generally, and with a dab of artistic license, I tend to classify (pun intended!) medical ratings serving in naval hospitals ashore as amongst the most sullen and the most starched, with an inherent hearing disorder. Uncharacteristically uncharitable of me, some may think. I am near certain, however, that possibly the only ones likely to take issue with me on this would…

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Battle Stations

It’s steady, shrieking, eerie tones, Which chills one to the very bones, Quickly fills the ship to spread A message of an unknown dread. It’s strangely brutal pounding rouses Men from weary, drunken poses, Forces them from bunks to leap These tired souls so drugged with sleep.