N O'Donnell BAE Aerofarce

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BRANDYWELL. 2

Life in Riyadh @Al- Romazian, Al-Shark and Al-Izdahar Compounds. 3

N. D. O’ DONNELL K.F.A.A. AVIONICS. K.F.A.A. BATTERY & GRD. ELECTS. 4

INTRODUCTION. ,[object Object],7

CONTINUED. I was awarded a number of good shows for my endeavours as well as recognition in the form of a company video of my involvement. I intend to have a copy of this formatted for placement on a website to explain the extent of my endeavours in involving myself in the company’s interests, needs and requirements: pushing to have the job completed asking staff to go for that extra effort to complete the task in hand. Some staff resistive at the time due to their wrongly perceived view of the USAF’s. attitudes regarding the seriousness of the onboard problems with its equipment and aircraft. 8

A serious problem existed (Vicious Cycling or Thermal Runaway of the aircraft's On-Board Ni Cad. battery Systems) that could have caused a catastrophic condition in a worst case scenario: if an aircraft had crashed in any of the populated areas surrounding the base at K.F.A.A.

This threat measured by a response from an American employed at R.S.A.A.F Headquarters: finally grasping the seriousness of the situation who then contacted me on a number of occasions introducing himself as an interested party.9

The U.S.A.F. at the time unable to comprehend the danger of a major incident over Saudi Arabian territory: cities and towns that could have led to a Pre, 9/11 scenario.

'A Total Catastrophe' We were told not to allow the customer any information on what we were doing: a little difficult if you have Saudi Nationals working for you and surrounded in the workplace by Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force Personnel.10

Of course this was the talk amongst the BAE staff on base and compound bars. Blame was automatically pointed at my bay personnel and myself by other sections of ‘The Avionics Section’: this I knew to be wrong and unfair as we produced only work of an excellent quality; as was our norm to do.11

CONTINUED. ,[object Object],12

13 CONTINUED. ,[object Object]

Sincerely Neil O’Donnellnetnoddy@netscape.net

14 Letter To Prime Minister. Dear Prime Minister. It is easy to imagine that a severe upset emotional as well as a financial one would reflect proactive action for redress for the wrong done. In my case unfortunately not so: due to feelings of disbelief and trust in the British system, I was unable to comprehend that the British via one of it’s major companies ‘British Aerospace Systems Security and Defence’ would withhold from me fourteen years of severance pay: which in natural law belongs to me. The withheld amount equated in November 1996 to approximately Thirty Thousand Pounds Sterling, the action by Aerospace has created great hardships for me. First of all the loss of my family home plus in today’s economic situation with regards to owning/purchasing a home: the inability to achieve this as things went pear shape for me due to the lack of self esteem due to the company’s action. The action by Aerospace at the time resulted in a total review of my feeling for all things British.The personal hurt caused by BAE’s action was impossible to take on board: my belief is that I gave more to the company than most employees: firstly as a supervisor and again as a temporary superintendent in the Avionics Centre at the ‘King Fisal Air Academy’/Riyadh Airbase at the time of the ‘Gulf Crisis’. The company at that time had difficulty in persuading people to remain in kingdom to protect the contract. A great number of employees were not keen to remain and see the crisis through, instead opted to go home to the U/K.

CONTINUED. 15 I viewed their actions as disappointing and not what I would expect from them as they were happy to take the salary when it suited. When the crunch came it was embarrassing to see how unsuited some were to the responsibilities of the time as they rushed to get onto the buses to the airport. I was always involved in my work believed in what I was doing, thinking of the bigger picture: my attached records will vouch for that.After a minor incident in a company bar in Izdahar 2 Riyadh in October 1996 after a disco ,I was suspended and then dismissed. Unfortunately I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and had reached the wished for service period of 14 years where I then qualified for full severance pay. I believe untruths were told that evening , The Irish Ambassador arisen from his bed by some mischievous person (who believed that I was from the ‘Republic of Ireland’ rather than from the ‘North of Ireland’ ) which resulted in senior ‘BAE’ management getting involved. Incredulous statements were taken from people who were clearly under the influence of locally produced alcohol: made and sold in company compound bars.Due to the lies told that morning at approx. 6am, when statements were taken from people who were under the influence, I lost fourteen years of accrued severance pay that devastated my life.

CONTINUED. 16 I went back to Ireland after this: as an Irish born ex-serviceman this did not work out for me. I have now returned to UK to be near to my grown-up family and grandchildren. I can well understand to day how people of an ‘Asian Background’ feel as I remember some of the outrageous things said to me in the twenty-six years whilst a member of the Royal Air Force and my time with BAE. Bigots are constantlyeither in one’s face or behind the scenes ready to undo the good work undertaken by others of a more gracious intent and understanding.

CONTACT LIST. ,[object Object]

His Majesty King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

The United States Ambassador to The United Kingdom.

The European Commission.Neil Doyle O’Donnell Nottingham. 17

Thanks From The U.S.A.F. 4409. 18

Thanks From USAF 4408 Air Refuelling Squadron. 19

N O'Donnell BAE Aerofarce

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