Ross Kemp in Afghanistan
Respect
A tremendous final programme which said things which needed saying and showed things which needed seeing. To the Anglians, Ross & Crew - Respect.
It is about 30 years since I was involved in a similar Campaign and times change, but two things truck me very strongly about the events seen during the Series.
1 The accuracy of the 'fast air' bombing. We could only dream, but technology has moved on.
2 The total lack of any helicopter tactical support. (Trooping & Casavac doesn't count). Most of the last Programme concerned a preplanned action against an enemy in a known position. I would have expected Apache 'Top Cover' and the use of 'choppers' to place 'Stop Groups' etc, but nothing like this was seen.
Ross did make comment in his summary that more helicopters were needed, but you were left with the impression that he was talking faster Casavac times and easier inter-base movement. In terms of resources this is a long way off the coordinated 'Air Cavalry' concept you would expect of a modern army fighting this type of campaign.
Perhaps the threat environment is judged too risky for this concept, but I suspect the truth is that the British Goverment has left the Forces even further off the pace (in terms of resources) than is generally realised!
It is about 30 years since I was involved in a similar Campaign and times change, but two things truck me very strongly about the events seen during the Series.
1 The accuracy of the 'fast air' bombing. We could only dream, but technology has moved on.
2 The total lack of any helicopter tactical support. (Trooping & Casavac doesn't count). Most of the last Programme concerned a preplanned action against an enemy in a known position. I would have expected Apache 'Top Cover' and the use of 'choppers' to place 'Stop Groups' etc, but nothing like this was seen.
Ross did make comment in his summary that more helicopters were needed, but you were left with the impression that he was talking faster Casavac times and easier inter-base movement. In terms of resources this is a long way off the coordinated 'Air Cavalry' concept you would expect of a modern army fighting this type of campaign.
Perhaps the threat environment is judged too risky for this concept, but I suspect the truth is that the British Goverment has left the Forces even further off the pace (in terms of resources) than is generally realised!
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Although a fictional charachter i get the impression after watching the Ross Kemp programme that "Sharpe" and his men would fit straight in, and wonder in amazement that being an infantryman hasn't chaged one jot.
There isn't much fighting in the vale of York, but there is never a shortage of helicopters flying around here!
There isn't much fighting in the vale of York, but there is never a shortage of helicopters flying around here!
Anyone out there know if Sky are going to release this on DVD? Or if it is going to be shown on one of the terrestrial channels? I can't be bothered to remain online for days trying to download the programmes via uTorrent etc.
I do like the idea of one of the main 5 channels showing it and the other 4 suffering a temporary power black out or all of them showing it at the same time; that would be great
But then I can't see the BBC supporting the Armed Forces in this manner.
I do like the idea of one of the main 5 channels showing it and the other 4 suffering a temporary power black out or all of them showing it at the same time; that would be great
But then I can't see the BBC supporting the Armed Forces in this manner.
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Same as above -any chance of a DVD coming out?
Now OOC permanently (largely thanks to B.liar and his ilk) and not keen on watching pap, so no Sat: but this sounds different.
Now OOC permanently (largely thanks to B.liar and his ilk) and not keen on watching pap, so no Sat: but this sounds different.
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Well done Ross Kemp and the soldiers of the 1st Anglian. 
I believe that this series should be available to all, so this is a link to all 5 episodes.
http://www.youtube.com/profile_play_list?user=oddball71
Thx to oddball71 (youtube username) for the effort of uploading this.
He has also uploaded- Above Enemy Lines about 27sqn wokka's.
I believe that this series should be available to all, so this is a link to all 5 episodes.
http://www.youtube.com/profile_play_list?user=oddball71
Thx to oddball71 (youtube username) for the effort of uploading this.
He has also uploaded- Above Enemy Lines about 27sqn wokka's.
Returning a favour I owe from the previous week:
http://thepiratebay.org/tor/4035161/....HDTV.XviD-SFM
...is the torrent link for the 353Mb final episode (I hope - mine hasn't started yet)
http://thepiratebay.org/tor/4035161/....HDTV.XviD-SFM
...is the torrent link for the 353Mb final episode (I hope - mine hasn't started yet)
Lurkio,
Thanks for the heads up, I will also be ordering.
Many thanks also to Ross Kemp who, it appears, has done more for the Armed Forces in the last 5 weeks than the Government has in the last 10 years - especially in raising the awareness of the general public. It would be good to see this documentary, Mr Kemp and his camera/sound team pick up some prizes at the next TV awards shindig.
Thanks for the heads up, I will also be ordering.
Many thanks also to Ross Kemp who, it appears, has done more for the Armed Forces in the last 5 weeks than the Government has in the last 10 years - especially in raising the awareness of the general public. It would be good to see this documentary, Mr Kemp and his camera/sound team pick up some prizes at the next TV awards shindig.
T&B thanks for the link, Part 5 now downloaded and saved with the others, a BIT of a struggle but a TORRENT of thanks for all the advice and guidance to all who gave it. File sharing is added to all the rest of the mountain of education garnered by me from PPRuNe! An excellent series that I shall view often! Perhaps a question in the House of the SoS as to whether he too has viewed the series is called for, and to commend it to all Members.
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Having been away on hols, have just watched the last two episodes of this quite brilliant series. This is doubtlessly echoed elsewhere in this thread but I doff my proverbial cap to Ross Kemp and his team for their insight, sensitivity with the families and sheer bloody balls for getting stuck in. As one shortly to depart the services this series has filled me with a great deal of pride in the job our young soldiers are doing - I just wish there was a way to make it comulsory viewing!
The inestimable Mr Kemp is back for the second series "Return to Afghanistan". For those who missed it there are packeted bundles available to view on youtube, as with the first series. Episode 1 (broadcast on Sky1) can be viewed in packets 1-5. Links to them are at:
YouTube - Ross Kemp Return to Afghanistan
If this episode is anything to go by, the second series promises to surpass the first if that is possible. Aviation content? How about the blast wave of a 500lb bomb momentarily stirring his calm? Respect to him, his film crew and above all his hosts!
Edited to add that the repeat is on tonight, Tuesday 02 Feb at 2300 hours on Sky 2 for those, like me, who keep Mr Murdoch in the style to which he is accustomed!
YouTube - Ross Kemp Return to Afghanistan
If this episode is anything to go by, the second series promises to surpass the first if that is possible. Aviation content? How about the blast wave of a 500lb bomb momentarily stirring his calm? Respect to him, his film crew and above all his hosts!
Edited to add that the repeat is on tonight, Tuesday 02 Feb at 2300 hours on Sky 2 for those, like me, who keep Mr Murdoch in the style to which he is accustomed!
Last edited by Chugalug2; 2nd Feb 2009 at 21:49. Reason: Sky 2 transmission
Return to Afghanistan
Just watched another awe-inspiring Episode (2/5) tonight, Sunday, at 2200 on Sky1, presumably again to be repeated on Tuesday at 2300 on Sky2. No doubt youtube and torrent will come through for those tied to our National Broadcaster that chooses not to show the sharp end of a struggle as alien to its sensibilities as Carole Thatcher or Jeremy Clarkson. The obvious respect and empathy that Kemp has for these young men, so old beyond their years, is I hope reciprocated. I suspect that it is, I only know that this old BOF is so proud of our Armed Forces. So professional and so decent. Could I say the same about the rest of our society? Not really.
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I just watch this program everytime with awe and amazement not only for Ross Kemp and his team doing there best to show us all whats its like there but to show the lads of the Army and the rest of the forces, what fantastic work they do , its not for the PM or politicians I just feel its for the good of being human and doing the right thing. I feel so proud and humble what they do and In this many years of sad losses in the British military there is shining light on the good they doing even though most of us dont agree. When i do my time out in the desert I always have respected the Grunts on Ground ,but this hammers home the whole team effort we all provide for them guys out there in ****sville getting paid crap wages.