Al Udeid air base
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wilts
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Been there twice over the last 2 years - same as everyone else in the GR4 world. As said before, if you've got to be in the desert then The Deid is the place to be.
Good pool, pretty good gym, cinema, pizza, ice cream - come on guys did you never do Al K or AAS? Beats the sh*t out of them I can tell you.
Accommodation is excellent now, tents 1st time, air con, plenty of space etc. I thought food was pretty good actually - bit groundhog day but more than adequate.
To be honest, when on a permanent 12 on/12 off shift you dont really need much in the way of entertainment.
See - no mention of the mighty VC10, got me home when it had to - nuff said !!
Good pool, pretty good gym, cinema, pizza, ice cream - come on guys did you never do Al K or AAS? Beats the sh*t out of them I can tell you.
Accommodation is excellent now, tents 1st time, air con, plenty of space etc. I thought food was pretty good actually - bit groundhog day but more than adequate.
To be honest, when on a permanent 12 on/12 off shift you dont really need much in the way of entertainment.
See - no mention of the mighty VC10, got me home when it had to - nuff said !!
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: South Wales
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Apologies if this has been shown before but have you seen this:
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/...A08%3A42%3A063
It does not show much of the actual air base but gives you an idea of what is there.
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/...A08%3A42%3A063
It does not show much of the actual air base but gives you an idea of what is there.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Huntingdon
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did I say the crews didn't get on with the job? Nothing like twisting words is there 
I was of the opinion at the time that the complaints of the crews about the accommodation, in front of my airmen, was uncalled for. The airmen and NCOs (all credit to them), some of whom had recent operational experience in the SH world, did no such complaining. However, the crews gave, as always, the upmost professionalism to the operational tasks in hand.
sheesh
I was of the opinion at the time that the complaints of the crews about the accommodation, in front of my airmen, was uncalled for. The airmen and NCOs (all credit to them), some of whom had recent operational experience in the SH world, did no such complaining. However, the crews gave, as always, the upmost professionalism to the operational tasks in hand.
sheesh
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Apologies if this has been shown before but have you seen this:
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/...A08%3A42%3A063
It does not show much of the actual air base but gives you an idea of what is there.
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/...A08%3A42%3A063
It does not show much of the actual air base but gives you an idea of what is there.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: UK
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Been there a few times, as has been said, the mess has a one week cycle, that's only 7 different main meals. Veg is rare too. The American security Forces at the base have no sense of humour at all and zero tolerance of our sarcasm. I'd say the highlight of our annual 2 month stretch has to be stinging the Americans. It's amazing how many people you can fool with a simple "excuse me" or a beep of the horn. Childish? maybe, but great fun! Also beware, last year there was a member of the Security Forces that we nicknamed "The Deadly Nightshade", (after gladiators) she was not to be messed with!
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Hangers
I had understood that Al Udied featured two state of the art concrete hangars capable of housing up to 40 fighter each. However, the RAF Tornados appear from the tv show to be housed in flimsy open hangers, which can't be much fun for the ground crews in that heat. Why is this? Are RAF personnel/aircraft not allowed in the big concrete hangers?
What Happens In Those Huge Hangars?
Big thigh-slapping, rodeo riding, line dancing, karaoke singalongs. Yeee-haaaaarrrr....
No wonder the Brits don't go in there.
No wonder the Brits don't go in there.
Last edited by Runaway Gun; 19th Mar 2007 at 07:45. Reason: I spelt Hangar with an E !!!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Back in the USSR
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Rumour has it that the VC10 Det were removed from BAH to EID (amongst other reasons - mainly operational and because they tied up a lot of real estate in Muharraq) was because they were renowned for bitching, whinging and moaning so the decision was made to GIVE them something to moan for!!
Of course I wouldn't buy into that terrible and probably unsubstantiated rumour suffice to say that you don't hear the same kind of thing from the Comms Fleet guys now based in BAH. Go figure.
In my experience it goes with the territory that everyone bitches about where they are thinking the 'other guy' has it better. Unfortunatly though the AAR fleet DOES usually have it the best (with regard to tasking, accomodation, Hotac, Rates) compared to the AT, FJ or SH boys and girls, hence why people get miffed when they hear the 'woe is us' tales.
Of course, this is to take nothing away from the fantastic job they do in adverse circumstances in order to sustain a high rate of Operational focus and tempo. If you are on 10/101 and these words rankle and you have never heard these whinges then you are fortunate - it doesn't mean they don't exist...
And as we know the words of a few are usually sufficient to secure the reputation of many.
Of course I wouldn't buy into that terrible and probably unsubstantiated rumour suffice to say that you don't hear the same kind of thing from the Comms Fleet guys now based in BAH. Go figure.
In my experience it goes with the territory that everyone bitches about where they are thinking the 'other guy' has it better. Unfortunatly though the AAR fleet DOES usually have it the best (with regard to tasking, accomodation, Hotac, Rates) compared to the AT, FJ or SH boys and girls, hence why people get miffed when they hear the 'woe is us' tales.
Of course, this is to take nothing away from the fantastic job they do in adverse circumstances in order to sustain a high rate of Operational focus and tempo. If you are on 10/101 and these words rankle and you have never heard these whinges then you are fortunate - it doesn't mean they don't exist...
And as we know the words of a few are usually sufficient to secure the reputation of many.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
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Huge Hangers at the 'Died
LJR, I beleive they are used to house several Lockheed Martin SR75 Aurora Mach-7 pulse-jet spy planes and Dark Star+ UAV's, plus probably some flying saucers.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Regarding 'The Deid', can someone tell me why the 'NO non-UK Forces' rule is not being enforced with the 10 internet terminals? Fresh signs go up on a weekly basis and are repeatedly ignored, if you go in there any time after midnight you can't move for shaven headed spams in ridiculous PT kit staring at the latest Texan indie car results. Its the last piece of UK sanity where you can escape for a short while and I dont want to spend it sitting next to a damn yank with 'Nickleback' belting out from his ill fitting headphones. ...that feels better 
Join Date: Jan 2001
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CompCharlie
Yeah, that's right.
Gulf Air decided it wanted the hardened pan space, but only because someone high up in the RAF asked them to request it because they wanted to bugger about the guys on 101. That is EXACTLY what happened.
No, really it is.
Yeah, that's right.
Gulf Air decided it wanted the hardened pan space, but only because someone high up in the RAF asked them to request it because they wanted to bugger about the guys on 101. That is EXACTLY what happened.
No, really it is.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: An airfield cunningly close the Thames
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OK Charie,
just how do you differentiate between the VC10 AAR fleet and the VC10 AT fleet.....erm....same aircraft, same aircrew, and all of us spend more time out of the country away from our families than you ever do. And I think you'll find 10 Sqn has not existed for at least 8 months. But then you know that, since you're an informed opinion on all things VC10 aren't you. How does moving a tanker 45 minutes further away from its operational theatre improve its operational capability? You're not Baz 'no idea about fixed wing assets' North are you?
BTW, I'm on my 5th det in the deed in 8 months.
And no, it's not as good as bahrain
But it is better than Basra, and I don't get shot at.
IMHO:
Food - ok, lots of it, lots of sugar and fat, and a bit groundhog day. Good cookies and free Ben and Jerry's ice cream.
Rec - pool good, bit of a cock fest.
Gym good, organised footy/cricket etc, fill your boots
easy internet access, and phones you don't have to queue for hours to use, lots of TVs, a brit bar open 3 times a week. Just don't get involved in the bingo....
work - lots!
6'
(love from the deed)
just how do you differentiate between the VC10 AAR fleet and the VC10 AT fleet.....erm....same aircraft, same aircrew, and all of us spend more time out of the country away from our families than you ever do. And I think you'll find 10 Sqn has not existed for at least 8 months. But then you know that, since you're an informed opinion on all things VC10 aren't you. How does moving a tanker 45 minutes further away from its operational theatre improve its operational capability? You're not Baz 'no idea about fixed wing assets' North are you?
BTW, I'm on my 5th det in the deed in 8 months.
And no, it's not as good as bahrain
But it is better than Basra, and I don't get shot at.
IMHO:
Food - ok, lots of it, lots of sugar and fat, and a bit groundhog day. Good cookies and free Ben and Jerry's ice cream.
Rec - pool good, bit of a cock fest.
Gym good, organised footy/cricket etc, fill your boots
easy internet access, and phones you don't have to queue for hours to use, lots of TVs, a brit bar open 3 times a week. Just don't get involved in the bingo....
work - lots!
6'
(love from the deed)
That wouldn't surprise me much. The worst whingers and jobsworths were often the blunties on the BAH det - selfseeking bunch of shysters for the most part. (I said 'often' and 'most', not 'all')
tb You obviously did neither Geography nor English. I can only guess that you mean the Theatre that should be covered by the TRI* which is not the main VC10 area of ops. The VC10 main area clearly is further from Al Ud than it is from Bahrain. Quite how anyone can see an operational advantage in the move beggars belief. Wasting 1 hr plus per sortie on a limited life frame is criminal but the disadvantages do not end there. Thanks to the US rules a quick turn is not possible at the Deed so supporting 2 sorties with one ac is not an option which it often was at Bahrain. The basing of the 10s was made for good operational reasons but ever since petty minded half wits have wanted to change things. Just as a side issue how many posts have gone at Bahrain since the VC10 move-none!
By the way you meant its not it's.
By the way you meant its not it's.
