Inside RAF Brize Norton

[bladeplayer]

Just started watching this in the last few weeks. im finding it very interesting
The repatriation is particulary tough . Anyone else watching it?
Any of ye guys been there

 

[rosecott]

Spent a night there before flying out to Cyprus, but that was late 1963 - watched a couple of episodes and recorded the rest, it's a bit different from those days.

 

[chris661]

It is a bit wishy washy for me.

Although when they were showing Akrotiri it never looked like that when I was there

 

[NWJocko]

Only ever been there to pick up brother in law on return from afghan a few times. Bit of a weird place but that's probably because of the emotional women waiting on husbands/sons........

Not seen the programme though.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

They have a tough job to do at Brize with the role of afghan, the biggest and busiest RAF base by miles.

Hats off to them

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Just started watching this in the last few weeks. im finding it very interesting
The repatriation is particulary tough . Anyone else watching it?
Any of ye guys been there

Was based there between 1997-2000

Departed from there every year for the past 10 years on the way out to some hole

 

[rickg]

Was never based there but flew out to plenty of postings and detachments from there.
Also played hockey there a lot as they used to use it for the group and national finals.
Haven't watched the series yet but taping it and looking forward to watching it....

 

[CliveW]

I was there in 1974 when the Cyprus crisis hit. Absolute chaos as the Brits were being evacuated back home. In those days it was Britannias and VC10s

 

[bladeplayer]

They have a tough job to do at Brize with the role of afghan, the biggest and busiest RAF base by miles.

Hats off to them

Yea i wouldnt have any knowledge of the military but even as an outsider , i felt bit chokey last week when there was a guy at the base telling the story of when he is on or gets on the plane , he touches every coffin and welcomes them home

Was based there between 1997-2000

Departed from there every year for the past 10 years on the way out to some hole

Even as an outsider you can tell the different atmosphere around the place from the outbound & in bound flights , when the regulars know the lights out for approach to camp bastian to the fear or nervesouness of the newbies ..

Did it ever get any less frightening / scary heading out knowing that you may never come back , surely thats not something that can ever be lost on you or your family

The repatriation ceremony in last nights was very touching (if thats the correct word) im glad i know nothing of what its like to be honest

 

[Robobum]

I thought it was really disappointing.

I was stationed on 216 for 4 years so was really looking forward to seeing what goes on there now.

Turns out it is nothing more interesting than whether Tony will deliver a crate of crisps to Morrisons on time in his Eddie Stobart truck.

Movers talking up the importance of their job!!! Load the bags FFS

Phew, the helicopter just fits on the ramp in the nick of time!!! They already know it fits!!!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yea i wouldnt have any knowledge of the military but even as an outsider , i felt bit chokey last week when there was a guy at the base telling the story of when he is on or gets on the plane , he touches every coffin and welcomes them home



Even as an outsider you can tell the different atmosphere around the place from the outbound & in bound flights , when the regulars know the lights out for approach to camp bastian to the fear or nervesouness of the newbies ..

Did it ever get any less frightening / scary heading out knowing that you may never come back , surely thats not something that can ever be lost on you or your family

The repatriation ceremony in last nights was very touching (if thats the correct word) im glad i know nothing of what its like to be honest

It's always a nervous flight out to Kandahar or Bastion - the silence on the plane is very strange and it's very frightening. Once out there you sort of just forget about where you are ( as much as you be staying vigilant ) and just get on with your job

The flight back is such a relief - the little stop over at Cyprus is a bit annoying because you just want to get home but the first beer tastes nice

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I thought it was really disappointing.

I was stationed on 216 for 4 years so was really looking forward to seeing what goes on there now.

Turns out it is nothing more interesting than whether Tony will deliver a crate of crisps to Morrisons on time in his Eddie Stobart truck.

Movers talking up the importance of their job!!! Load the bags FFS

Phew, the helicopter just fits on the ramp in the nick of time!!! They already know it fits!!!

Well I worked on the Merlin Sqn and it's not as easy as it's "just fits"

And movers do have crucial roles as opposed to just loading bags !

 

[Robobum]

Well I worked on the Merlin Sqn and it's not as easy as it's "just fits"

And movers do have crucial roles as opposed to just loading bags !

Yep, forgot that they can tie knots too :thup:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yep, forgot that they can tie knots too :thup:

When did you leave the forces ?

 

[Robobum]

When did you leave the forces ?

When Pontius was just a co-pilot

 

[Deleted member 15344]

When Pontius was just a co-pilot

So you don't really know the roles the movers have done during the Iraq and Afghan conflicts - the movers are crucial during resupply to the FOBs as well as the massively important troop movement in and out of theatre and from MOB to FOB's

But they are just one vital cog in the whole machine which works - everyone has a role and that hasn't been more evident than in the last 10 years.

So it's extremely unfair and disrespectful to dismiss their role

 

[Robobum]

So you don't really know the roles the movers have done during the Iraq and Afghan conflicts - the movers are crucial during resupply to the FOBs as well as the massively important troop movement in and out of theatre and from MOB to FOB's

But they are just one vital cog in the whole machine which works - everyone has a role and that hasn't been more evident than in the last 10 years.

So it's extremely unfair and disrespectful to dismiss their role

Thank you for the lecture.

As you are so knowledgeable, you will know the role that 216 carried out and how closely it worked with movers, you'd also know the banter between techies and them. I proudly have my Gulf 1 medal Granby for being a glorified petrol pump attendant.

Muppet

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Thank you for the lecture.

As you are so knowledgeable, you will know the role that 216 carried out and how closely it worked with movers, you'd also know the banter between techies and them. I proudly have my Gulf 1 medal Granby for being a glorified petrol pump attendant.

Muppet

For it to be banter would require some humour involved - that's where you fell short

Quite happy to provide further lectures - it appears at times you need them.

You be proud of that medal - I expect the little prick on it suits you.

 

[bladeplayer]

It's always a nervous flight out to Kandahar or Bastion - the silence on the plane is very strange and it's very frightening. Once out there you sort of just forget about where you are ( as much as you be staying vigilant ) and just get on with your job

The flight back is such a relief - the little stop over at Cyprus is a bit annoying because you just want to get home but the first beer tastes nice

Nice to get info from someone who has done it.
Thank u for that

As i say i have no knowledge of it at all so im enjoying it

 

[Robobum]

For it to be banter would require some humour involved - that's where you fell short

Quite happy to provide further lectures - it appears at times you need them.

You be proud of that medal - I expect the little prick on it suits you.

Glad to see you revert to type Phil.

We're you a rock ape? Your intellect would suggest so. Armourer perhaps?........A I'm an armourer. B I'm an armourer. C I'm an Armourer..........

Quite a big contradiction to think that calling a mover a baggage handler (they have never heard that one before) is disrespectful but its fine to discredit a conflict medal.

Don't worry though, I'm a little less dramatic than you and do not think I really made any significant contribution to deserve the medal. Whereas the descent into Bastion etc does. What was the scary part? When they dimmed the cabin lights or when they stopped the tea & coffee service?

Brave little soldier x