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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

ARGUEMENT.I hope to show via this site, that British Aerospace Systems is a company that discriminates against 'Irish Born' Ex- Service Personnel and supports the shooting of unarmed civilians in Derry/Londonderry in the seventies by British paratroopers. It is a truly perfidious organization that withholds 'Due Moral Rights' to well earned and deserved 'Severance Payment.' I was employed by Aerospace for a period of 14 years in a Tech./ Supervisory role. The people I worked with on the bases were in general an excellent group. In the words of Paul Dugan the Base Manager describing them as:” THE MEN BEHIND THE WIRE", most probably some of the few words of truth ever uttered by him. In fact we were held captive by capricious management types who totally believed in the "I'm alright Jack" philosophy ruling from their lofty tower in Al-Bilad, Riyadh. For people who knew Riyadh in the eighties and nineties, I was chairperson of two of the best and biggest company compound clubs ‘The Al- Shark & The New Shark Al- Izdahar 4’ : if you were there you will remember the 'Libation and The Musak'! 5

INTRODUCTION.In early November 1996, I had my contract with British Aerospace Systems Security and Defence terminated after being accused of an assault on another employee in a Company-Sponsored Bar whilst working in Riyadh: in ‘The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’. My belief is that I have been unfairly treated. I have had my good name and character criminalized by some elements within British Aerospace Management as well as members of the Military Survey Team in Riyadh. I accuse the company of not supplying a safe environment to protect employees from verbal racial abuse and attack from others who held anti Irish and racist view points. This was after a period of fourteen years of good and loyal service to the company in Saudi Arabia when on a number of occasions I had to suffer many anti Irish remarks and prejudices. 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

CONTINUED.I believe that I was fundamental in creating a programme that may have saved at least one KC-135 aircraft if not others belonging to the United States Air Force. These aircraft were of great importance during and after the Gulf War 1: used in refuelling tasks supplying in flight A.W.A.C. Aircraft.

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

CONTINUED.My belief is if I had not acted (supported by my Senior Training and Maintenance Manager: Mr. Ian Crawford at the time) that there were a number of serious problems with the USAF KC-135's and other aircraft’s Ni-Cad. battery charging systems, a situation could have arisen that would have put Saudi /USA relations beyond repair if a serious incident had happened over the city.

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

CONTINUED.An issue I did push was with a similar fault condition on newly arrived Pilatus PC-9 Aircraft which superseded the old trainer aircraft we had at K.F.A.A. Pilots experienced problems during flight and had to return to base due to overheating battery conditions. At least one situation was quite serious resulting in a local Board Of Inquiry involving Senior Royal Saudi Arabian Officers representing the customer.

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.I investigated the situation and created a report that was accepted by the Board Of Inquiry, who fully supported my finding as did BAE Head Quarters Bilad (Engineering). It transpired that during the Commissioning of the PC9 that the ‘Air Electrical Bay’: (Part of the Avionics Flight) had failed to adjust the on-board voltage control requirements to suit the high ambient temperature levels experienced in the 'Hot Climate' conditions: high temperatures an every day occurrence in Middle East. My then Senior Maintenance Manager: Mr. Fred Collins congratulated me. Nothing more was said as things were laid to rest: to avoid embarrassment to others who jumped the gun in the Blame Game.12

13CONTINUED. As a closing note it is only recently I have been able to put together in writing my side of the story of this particular time in Riyadh. I can now clearly see this was a period when I experienced a type of house arrest and isolated unable to think clearly. I was unable to comprehend my situation therefore could not form an adequate defence; this was accommodating to the BAE Management Team.

Sincerely Neil O’Donnellnetnoddy@netscape.net

14Letter 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.15I 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.16I 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.Mr. Martin McGuinness, First Deputy Member of the Northern Ireland Exec.

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

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N O'Donnell BAE Aerofarce

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