Former Highcliffe School pupil Sgt Charlotte Mortimer pays return visit with all female crew of Chinook helicopter from RAF Odiham
PAYING a return visit to your school is always special – even more so when you’re a member of the all-female crew of a Chinook helicopter landing on the sports field.
This week students at Highcliffe School got the thrill of seeing the legendary air machine up close when former pupil Sgt Charlotte Mortimer arrived by air. She left the school in 2008 and on Tuesday returned for the first time since leaving in the hope of inspiring students to follow in her footsteps and join the RAF.
The roaring sound of the Chinook’s huge 60ft tandem rotor blades was the first sign it was about to arrive, followed by excited shouts from pupils who were watching from the safety of classrooms. Also waiting to see Sgt Mortimer (33) was her mum Cathy Morton, from Christchurch, who revealed how her daughter joined the RAF 12 years ago.
She said: “She has always liked planes, but she never really showed any inclination when she was young of actually getting a job flying one. In fact, they have her entry from the school yearbook here today and in it she says she wanted to be a maths teacher!
“Her first proper job was at BCP Council working in an office but when she got to 21, she had had enough of that and joined the RAF.
“I am so proud of her; she has done so well. I went to Highcliffe School and so did my children, so today feels very special.”
A beaming Sgt Mortimer arrived to give her mum a huge hug minutes later and was given a rousing cheer by headteacher Patrick Earnshaw and staff. Now a weapons system operator with 27 Squadron based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, she told the A&T: “It’s so nice to come back, I even recognise a couple of teachers who are still here.
“I feel quite nostalgic, I loved my time here.”
Her crew members on the Chinook were flight lieutenants Jenny Boyd and Sarah Wilkie and Sergeant Kelly Fitzpatrick.
Sgt Mortimer, who has been involved in operations in Albania, the US, Middle East and also as part of an aid mission to Nepal after the 2015 earthquake said: “It’s been fantastic being part of a female crew – normally it is three men and one woman. I am hoping that by being here we might inspire some girls to follow in our footsteps and join the RAF.”
Flt Lt Boyd was also hoping the Chinook visit would open students’ eyes to a career in the military: “Three of us have returned to our schools today, which was great, the pupils have loved it. Two of them were girls’ schools and we were able to show the pupils what you can do as a female in the RAF.”
At Highcliffe School Sgt Mortimer and her crew, which also included five female engineers, gave pupils tours of the Chinook and answered their questions.
Delighted students got to clamber inside the helicopter which during war time is used in air assault missions, carrying troops, machinery, ammunition, and supplies. It is also used to evacuate casualties.
The pupils also got to sit in the cramped cockpit of the aircraft which, when operational in high-risk areas, carries two machine guns.
Mr Earnshaw said he was “absolutely delighted” by the visit from Sgt Mortimer and the Chinook crew: “It has been absolutely fantastic. It’s given the students an opportunity to do something amazing and it is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“It was wonderful having Charlotte pay us a visit, she is inspirational and showed female pupils what is possible.”
At the end of the visit there was a special treat for pupils when they were allowed to stand at the edge of the sports field for the Chinook’s liftoff. There were cheers and shouts as the aircraft roared into life. As the crew took off, Sgt Mortimer waved goodbye from the side door.
