Visit to Boulmer

[Captain Ratpup]

I'm up to Boulmer on a fam for FC branch between Tues 17th and Thurs 19th April. I'm not sure what the format for these trips normally take so would appreciate any comments from locals or previous visitors.

Also, if anyone fancies having a chat about fighter control and/or life in the RAF in exchange for some ales, give me a shout.:ok:

Ratpup

[Grumpy106]

Ratpup,

If you are going up on an official Realistic Job Preview visit you should get an itinerary through from the AFCO which booked you onto it. If it is an ad hoc visit, contact the chap who organised it for you. If the format is the same as it was when I used to attend these things, it will entail a day of visits to various sections around Boulmer, followed by a few beers and a nice sit-down dinner in the Mess. The next day is more visits and briefings with either another night in the Mess or a trip into Alnwick, the local town, to sample its delights. But don't quote me. You will find a lot of the guys and gals up there very helpful regarding the Branch, its future and the options available to you. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and see if you can track down some of the folks with experience of the E-3D and 1 ACC, as they will have some interesting tales to tell. Hope you have a good visit, it should really help you decide if the Branch is for you.

[Melchett01]

Don't let them blind you with talk of tours on E3s or 1 ACC and it being at the sharp end of operations. I did one of the RJPs to Boulmer in the 90s and that was all that was hammered down our throats for 3 days.

When the time actually came, not a sniff of E3s or 1 ACC as an option in sight and bearing in mind that AD of the UK wasn't massively high on list of defence priorities post-Cold War, spending years in a bunker having been promised something totally different didn't appeal so I made my excuses and went over the wire (yes I know about 9/11 etc etc, but I still haven't seen a change in defence priorities to push AD up the list).

That said, Boulmer is a lovely part of the world and the Mess isn't half bad, many a very happy happy hour in training ... from what I can remember. And the branch appears (from the outside) to be getting its act together - 1 ACC are now getting out and about and the E3s are in high demand. Getting postings there however, is another matter entirely.

Go along, listen in and enjoy it as a few days away experiencing something new - time spent in the Mess will provide you with a good indication of what RAF life is like. Just remember that rightly or wrongly, the FC branch has a bad press in the wider RAF, and they will try to counter that bad press with their own version. Make your own mind up & dont be influenced by spin either way.

[Captain Ratpup]

Many thanks for previous very useful comments. :D

Yes, it's an RJP visit and I've just received the joining instructions with timetable etc. Took the AFCO a long time to sort it out - lots of faffing about on their part including three different cpls ringing me up to ask which station to issue the rail warrant from.

I agree that it would be useful to meet people with E3 or 1ACC experience. But I'd also like to meet up with some of the NCOs as I'm sure their slant would be a bit different. As much fun as dinner and drinks in the OM is, I'm there to work out whether FC beats ATC for me - a bloody hard call!

People seem to begrudge 'bunker time' from what I've read/heard: is it fairly typical to spend tour after tour in a CRC?

Many thanks,

Ratpup :ok:

[SirToppamHat]

Captain Ratpup
Good on you for getting an RJP visit - no such thing in my day, but I've been involved in a few from the other side! The Mess at Boulmer is unusual - a modern building, but run by an ex WO with a rod of iron - a pleasant change from some of the messes round the RAF these days! Beer is excellent and there is usually a rent-a-crowd in the bar for the evening - ISTR RJP bagging was a favourite mess sport amongst the studes. Top tip is not to overdo the ale in the evening, or you will have a truly miserable visit next day!
As with all these types of visit, keep your eyes and ears open and don't be afraid to ask questions. You should meet a mix of people with recent experience in CRCs, 1 ACC, E-3 etc.
As for your comment about repeated tours in bunkers, it can happen that people stay in the CRCs for quite a few years, but if you're desparate to get away there are opportunities. 1ACC and E-3 aren't postings that float everyone's boat, but the other core postings are Boulmer and Scampton - the latter is above-ground and a completely different set-up to Boulmer's CRC, even though the kit is fundamentally the same. More and more we are seeing people go off in support of a wide range of other activities, especially relating to the Army. At the end of the day, though, if working in a bunker is a big problem for you, I think you may end up looking elsewhere, but don't decide until you've had a good look round! Oh, and as I've said to you before, make sure you also get a look at ATC (area and local) so you give both a fair chance!

STH

[expedite08]

I was once down the 'hole' drove me round the twist!! Im now out of the mob and still enjoying the novelty and normailty of normal people and a window!!! Sounds stupid but it gets you down after a while.
My work colleagues think I'm mad always wanting a window seat in the office!
I worked in a CRC for the best part of 5 years! No 1 ACC for me , E3?? Whats one of them??

[Never Alert]

Captain R,

I'm on one of the WC courses that are running at the moment & I'm an NCO so, feel free to PM me if you'd like any questions answered.

My parent unit is 1ACC so I'd be able to offer you some info on that side of the branch too.


A quick heads up:

Course starts as a 6 week Air Defence Foundation Course (ADFC). The ADFC is broken down into 2 modules, each 3 weeks long & is actually an aptitude test designed to assess whether or not you are suited to the Surveillance or Weapons side of the branch. All done on a simulator.

If you go Surv, it's about 7 months training to become an Identification Officer.

Should you go WC then it's like this:

5 weeks of Flight Safety: You'll be taught all about UK airspace & how to control RAF aircraft safely within the contraints of the CAA. Done on simulator.

10 weeks of Tactics: Your flight safety knowledge will be further improved whilst being told how to go about controlling fighters tactically in various scenarios. Mostly simulator however, some of it can be live.

10 weeks (at least) of live controlling in the CRC. This period is the biggy & where you have to put it all together in order to get the WC tick in the box.

It's hard work but great fun so, good luck.

[JessTheDog]

The food at Boulmer is probably the best in the RAF!
The deprivations of bunker life were always overblown and I believe the kit has changed quite a bit since I left. Besides that, you get very involved in the job at hand on either specialisation.
The branch and trade group were fairly small and close-knit, although it was frustrating to see the slow pace of advancement in the trade group - hopefully people are getting through the ranks faster and onto more challenging roles as there was enormous latent talent that perhaps fell by the wayside due to a residual and outdated rank snobbery. Great camerarderie and a role that is much more relevant than pre-September 11 2001.
I left largely due to family reasons and anger over Iraq and cutbacks (good to see that Boulmer escaped in the end!) and I do miss it all, even the downsides. :ok:

[justone26]

I am a serving Fighter Controller and see both good and bad within the branch. It has treated me well in my time and I have only spent 1/4 of those years in the "Bunker".

There are lots of opportunities outside just 1ACC and E3. I am part of the Surv side of the branch and now work at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham. The branch paid for me to get a Masters Degree in Information Systems and I have had the chance to travel all over the world (not just the desert!).

Sir Toppam Hat is spot on about the branch. I have managed to move away from the bunker but everyone does have to spend a proportion of their time there.

Any questions please pm me. :ok:

[Maple 01]

I am part of the Surv side

Oh look, a failed controller! ;)

[SirToppamHat]

Maple that was uncalled for - back to your Cell!
;)
STH

[JessTheDog]

Oh look, a failed controller!

Harumph!

In my day, such banter was internal to the branch! Little gems like "get those tracks sorted out, I'm starting to get sunburn back here!"

There are no failures, only restreams, and controllers were always such bores anyway, standing at the bar and making aircraft-type gesticulations long after normal conversation was supposed to have commenced. ;)

[Maple 01]

I was too slow for EC! :O
Hi STH, you know they took my cell off me? :{ Still got the keys though.....

[Melchett01]

Quote:
I am part of the Surv side

Oh look, a failed controller!

In every weaponeer, there's an airprox waiting to happen / IDO trying to get out .... take your pick ....... maybe even both if you have too many of the former :E

And do weapons types still stand at the bar and do the whole hands thing - I went like that and he went like this ....... never really works unless you have a fighter standing on the pan outside though :ok:

[Captain Ratpup]

Three points:

One

...just remember that rightly or wrongly, the FC branch has a bad press in the wider RAF...

Why?

Bearing in mind I'm an ignorant civvie trying to decide on the RAF, what's so bad about FC?

Also...

Two

I am part of the Surv side...
...Oh look, a failed controller!

Is the rivalry between the two streams just healthy banter or something a bit more sinister? :8

Three

Beyond E3s which everyone seems to keep banging on about, what are the best tours in FC? I hear 1ACC ain't so popular (I thought running around in 95s sounds like a laugh). Surely CRCs aren't?

Cheers for all your comments: I'm very grateful for everyone taking the time out to respond. A great response with lots of food for thought and I'm really looking forward to the RJP as well as painting the metropolis of Alnwick red!

Ratpup :ok:

[Maple 01]

Ratpup, don't take anything you hear about the FC branch from me too seriously, I was a Baldric within the ASOp* world for years before they put me in a cell and therefore prone to take the mick out of Weapons (controllers) and Surveillance (er....spotters) as I see fit - don't let me put you off, heed the wise words of STH instead.

Unless things have changed drastically in the few years I've been 'out' (er....so to speak)

Its Weapons v Sensors v Scopies
Then Weapons and sensors v Scopies
Then Weapons, sensors and Scopies v Air Defence Tecs (JAFADs) or Eng Tec Els
But all in good humour……..mostly, JAFADs hate Filthy TC wa***** and Scopies

*pondlife should-have-done-better at school wannabee FC aka scopies for the uninitiated

[justone26]

Maple 01, I never wished to be a WC.
Each side has its's + and - sides but I know for a fact I would have never ended up with an MSc as a WC.

Ratpup in answer to your questions:

1. Most of the rest of he RAF do not have much idea of what we do. FC's during the Cold War were stuck in the middle of nowhere way from the rest of the RAF. For the most part this is no longer the case. There are now jobs in lots of Battlespace Management posts opening up to those who have a couple of tours behind them. Showing we can do in the Joint environment is helping our case.

2. There is banter, but it is generally good natured.

3. Best tours are difficult to answer but I am sure the few guys on exchange in the US or in NATO posts may have an opinion.

jone:ok:

[Maple 01]

I never wished to be a WC.
Of course not :oh:

[NotAnIDO]

I was a Baldric within the ASOp* world for years before they put me in a cell and therefore prone to take the mick out of Weapons (controllers) and Surveillance (er....spotters) as I see fit - don't let me put you off, heed the wise words of STH instead.


*pondlife should-have-done-better at school wannabee FC aka scopies for the uninitiated

Are you some kind of up your own backside cnut? Would that be the pondlife that do all the things that you cannot be bothered to? Or the pondlife that go around clearing up the sh1te that you have left behind.

The RAF is a better place for people like you leaving!:)

Oh and by the way, I have never wanted to be a FC, dont have the hands for it love!

[Never Alert]

I concur,

Maple, you are an :mad: arse. :=

[Maple 01]

Ah! IDOs not doing banter? It all went down hill when they closed Drayton....
Are you some kind of up your own backside cnut? Would that be the pondlife that do all the things that you cannot be bothered to? Or the pondlife that go around clearing up the sh1te that you have left behind.

er.....I was pondlife, it's like irony man! :ugh: :ugh:

Student Weapons Controller :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[JessTheDog]

Inter-branch slagging is older than the RAF and there is no reason to believe the FC branch is viewed any more dimly than any other branch by the wider RAF.

I recall that WCs and IDOs fall into the Wpns vs Systems banter mode during training and for a short while after but that this is largely forgotten about after some ops room experience and some time in the branch, when banter at the personal level becomes far more fun, on those occasions when banter is called for (it was normally Friday nights).

The training regime included some crossover of knowledge between the WC and IDO specialisations when I was going through the CRC, and during the later periodic standard evaluations. I've known IDOs to give out a broadcast picture on radio during exercise, which requires some knowledge of what aircrew want for situational awareness and an understanding of the WC task. Working in silos in ignorance of the wider team is no way to get on, whether in the military or in civilian life, and learning about the other roles (whether in the ops room or in the more boring office) helps the overall team effort.

[SirToppamHat]

Right you lot, please leave Maple alone; he's only joining-in with the intra Branch banter and he's served his time in and out of bunkers - I know him and would have him on my team as a Tac Int bloke!

Sorry to disagree with you Maple, but Drayton was a dump - it all went down hill when they closed this place:

The Home of Fighter Control? (http://www.bawdseymanor.co.uk/)

Now that's what you call an officers' mess! R3 bunker within walking distance and a sea view too (would have been great for my kids' boarding schools as well!).

Sorry I never got to work there.

:) Apparently they're going to put ACCS or ASCACS (or whatever it is this week) in the Bawdsey Bunker and a couple of sqns of Typhoons at Woodbridge for defence of the Capital .... well this is a rumour network, and the R3 there's still in reasonable nick by all accounts:

Going Underground! (http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/b/bawdsey/index.html)

STH

[Maple 01]

Thank-you for those few kind words STH, you've forgiven me for all those JMC briefs at last I see!

Now you come to mention it Drayton was a collection of squallid huts on the wrong side of the tracks - but Bawdsey? That would be class, any chance Patrington could reopen at the same time? 'Neat' has a nice ring to it too

[London Mil]

Some of us are still at West Drayton. :eek: You will be pleased to know that the place finally closes next spring. Just in case you feel the need, we have kept the old FC wing and your ops room is still there (someone forgot to switch the lights of - I kid you not!). Indeed, we occasionally still see you guys when you have nothing better to do than detach to the local Novotel.
If you fancy investing, the old airmens' blocks were demolished last year and some property developer is building a shed load of 'apartments', starting price a little over £200K. For that, you get the ubiquitous atmosphere complete with the air rifle pellets that currently bounce off our walls.

[whowhenwhy]

I thought talk of Beirut, excuse me, West Drayton would cause Lon Mil to comment.

Ratpup, as a mil ATCO, even I'm slightly jealous of the opportunities that are starting to open up to my FC brethren in the Battlespace Management side of the house. Though I have to say fellas that it wouldn't be enough to make me want to work in the depths at Boulmer, even if the mess and especially the bar are great. :)

With the greatest will in the world, the AD side of it isn't what it used to be, even with the changes brought about by 9/11. Luckily for them, the FCs are well placed to jump onboard the Battlespace Management wagon, especially as it starts to properly encompass the use of space proper.

What ever you end up doing, good luck fella and top words from STH. Don't get hooped in the bar, it doesn't look good the next day. :ok:

[AdanaKebab]

Hooped in the bar ...... only if Navy's in there!:ooh: :E

[TMJ]

3. Best tours are difficult to answer but I am sure the few guys on exchange in the US or in NATO posts may have an opinion.


The tour you're on at the moment sounded pretty good when you talked me through it (assuming you are who I think you are - explained it on a London train from Shriv last Sep as I was heading back to play for OWRFC?).

[SpotterFC]

Maple01 wrote:
Surveillance (er....spotters)
Did someone call?

Actually Justone26 WCs do get MScs courtesy of HM - I'll see your IS and raise you Aerospace Systems!

Spotter.

[justone26]

Fair play spotter, forgot about your Aerospace Systems course.

The key point is that the branch now offers far more than 1ACC and E3D especially 3rd tour onwards. You would be amazed the nooks and crannies where you will find FCs.

TMJ it is indeed the same person from the train.

Justone:ok:

[Captain Ratpup]

You would be amazed the nooks and crannies where you will find FCs.

Such as? It would be interesting to hear what other sort of opps are available down both WC and surv branches apart from what's already been covered. People have mentioned stateside tours for example...

[Maple 01]

It's a fair cop Spotter, glad to hear you’re still around, teaching WC these days?

All I got out of being an ASOp was a C&G Communications, an aversion to light and mild chinagraph poisoning. I was offered a GNVQ L2 in computing - oh how I laughed.....

Looks like the posh end of the branch is getting its act together, jolly good show!

[tablet_eraser]

Now that's what you call an officers' mess! R3 bunker within walking distance and a sea view too (would have been great for my kids' boarding schools as well!).
STH, you know we had a lovely sea view at Boo-shan as well; but we were also lucky enough for the bunker to be far enough away from the mess to be able to forget all about work when off-duty.
That said, some people thought we forgot all about work while on-duty as well...

[Mr-Burns]

Boulmer is a sh**hole. I went out with a girl there who smelt of biscuits.

[Bunker Mentality]

'A girl who smellt of biscuits' - what's so bad about that - girls can smell of far worse things!

Seriously, though, Ratpup, you'll get plenty of gen from your RJP. Good jobs - well there are several jobs for FCs Stateside - some for ex-Fylingdales people who know about spaceships & stuff, and some for ordinary FCs. The space side tends to be done by Surveillance people.

We've also got growing numbers of people serving in liaison posts with the army - 16 Air Assault and 19 Mech Brigades, for example (Air-Land integration is THE hot topic at the moment, and the FC Branch has cornered the market). We've got loads of people in both the bumpy and the flat sandpits. 60% of our WCs and quite a few of our surveillance people are on the E-3 force. There are several jobs in Europe (Norway, Naples, Germany, SHAPE, etc, etc).

First though, you've got to qualify, and your first tour will be in a CRC. Once you've proved yourself a useful member of society, the chances of getting out into the wider Air Force and, indeed, the Joint environment, are excellent. But you'll probably still go back to a CRC again, at least for a while.

Bottom line is - there are loads of opportunities, but you will be at the mercy of the poster (ie, you can state a preference for your next job, but you'll have to go where you're sent). If you don't think you could hack the Bunker environment, pick another branch.

See you next month!

BM

[Captain Ratpup]

Just thought I'd write to give a big thank you to everyone who showed us around at Boulmer last week. :ok:

Everyone was top-notch: from people being *very* generous buying rounds in the mess, patiently answering silly questions in the bunker and even the station commander who came and had a drink and a chat with us. I think we were all really impressed by the friendliness of everyone there! The only downside was how rough I felt the morning after the night before :yuk: I haven't had a hangover like that since student days...

Being back in London where an IPA comes to just under four quid, one thing I miss above all else is the £1.04 pint :(

Next step is a trip to Brize to see ATC and flt ops before making my mind up on branch choices.

Cheers

Ratpup

[G-CPTN]

The long-term future of an RAF base in Northumberland, which was threatened with closure, has been secured.
There were fears hundred of jobs would be lost at RAF Boulmer, near Alnwick, under plans to transfer some operations to Lincolnshire.
Only the search and rescue unit would have remained at the site after 2012.
But the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has now decided to retain the base as the hub of the Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS).

(from:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7180853.stm )