By
SQNLDR Jacqui Carswell
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WOFF
Paul Mansell
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WOFF
Paul Mansell, a flight engineer and the airman
aircrew career manager at HQSRG Edinburgh, died
on February 27, aged 38.
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He
had served almost 20 years in the Air Force
with Nos 486, 11 and 292 Squadrons and the Maritime
Acceptance and Evaluation Unit. He had flown
a total of 5844.1 hours on the Orion.
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WARRANT
Officer Paul Thomas Mansell, the airman aircrew career manager
at HQSRG Edinburgh, died suddenly on February 27 at the age of
38, after almost 20 years of service.
The cause of his death had not been officially determined at the
time of print. Joining the Air Force in 1985 as a radio technician
trainee, WOFF Mansell was posted to No. 486 Squadron, Richmond,
in 1987.
He later re-mustered to flight engineer and on graduation in 1991
was promoted to sergeant and received the flight engineer brevet.
WOFF Mansell’s next posting was to No. 11 Squadron, Edinburgh,
where he served for seven years and was promoted to flight sergeant
in 1994.
Current No. 92 Wing OC Group Captain Warren Ludwig said WOFF Mansell
was “always a pleasure to fly with ... and was someone who clearly
enjoyed flying and the friendship it develops”.
In 1997, WOFF Mansell was posted to No. 292 Squadron as an instructor
on the flight engineer course and in 1999 he was promoted to warrant
officer.
At the beginning of 2003, WOFF Mansell was posted to the Maritime
Acceptance and Evaluation Unit as the flight engineer standards
officer, where he stayed until October last year when he took
up the role of airman aircrew manager at HQSRG.
CO HQSRG Wing Commander Peter Davis said he was impressed with
the manner in which WOFF Mansell performed in the role.
“He certainly had a knack for relating to and influencing others
and made quite an impact in his short time in the job,” he said.
“We will make sure some of his ideas reach fruition.”
A colleague and mate, Warrant Officer Russell Schneider, when
asked about WOFF Mansell’s professionalism, said he “always put
his whole heart and soul into the task at hand, whether that be
flying in the aircraft, instructing students, or working with
the contractors to develop the new AFS [advanced flight simulator]”.
WOFF Mansell flew a total of 5844.1 hours on the P3 Orion aircraft,
but his number one priority in life was his family. His love for
his wife Wanda and stepchildren Simon and Laura was always evident.
He also loved the fire brigade and had recently bought his first
new car – a Holden. WOFF Mansell’s funeral was held at St Augustines
Catholic Church on March 4.
