War Zone on Channel 5
Wasn't that Harrier pilot the one who was on the recent series aboard (name eludes me, either Ark or Invincible) the aircraft carrier?
I recognised those dodgy eyebrows and sideburns!!
How sad is that?
I recognised those dodgy eyebrows and sideburns!!
How sad is that?
Must admit that I missed this magnum opus - I was watching BBC2. However, I will record the Thursday repeat and form my own opinion.
I don't actually recall there being much to do in Riyadh after Gulf War 1 kicked off - eat, fly, sleep being about all there was - although some alcoholics managed to get hold of something other than Moussy to drink. Certainly no discos, the nearest pizza place was a 30 min drive away (yes, we did have crew cars) - and if you've ever seen Saudi TV you'll know why everyone thought CNN was so good....
I don't actually recall there being much to do in Riyadh after Gulf War 1 kicked off - eat, fly, sleep being about all there was - although some alcoholics managed to get hold of something other than Moussy to drink. Certainly no discos, the nearest pizza place was a 30 min drive away (yes, we did have crew cars) - and if you've ever seen Saudi TV you'll know why everyone thought CNN was so good....
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Just watched it, and so what, some people were enjoying themselves? Get over yourselves guys 
; its C5 for goodness sake and produced for a C5 audience, not a bunch of army web warriors furiously laying down suppressive threads on ARRSE and analising themselves to oblivion.
Good to see the Regt came across well and that we had the bonniest bird (hope all went well Benet). JG is still an ugly git its good to see, and we've been there for over 4 years now - can't someone please fix the ceiling and not refer to 'used to roughing it in tents'?
Well done the engineers too, if you could overlook the heinous crime of creeping lamp chops they were doing a great job. Apart from that, no grumbles if you take it in the right way. I suppose the really awkward stuff will come when we get the infinity stares whilst eating a chinky in the jump door. Please dear god, can someone confirm in advance there's not a sunset involved?
; its C5 for goodness sake and produced for a C5 audience, not a bunch of army web warriors furiously laying down suppressive threads on ARRSE and analising themselves to oblivion. Good to see the Regt came across well and that we had the bonniest bird (hope all went well Benet). JG is still an ugly git its good to see, and we've been there for over 4 years now - can't someone please fix the ceiling and not refer to 'used to roughing it in tents'?
Well done the engineers too, if you could overlook the heinous crime of creeping lamp chops they were doing a great job. Apart from that, no grumbles if you take it in the right way. I suppose the really awkward stuff will come when we get the infinity stares whilst eating a chinky in the jump door. Please dear god, can someone confirm in advance there's not a sunset involved?
Al,
Apart from the fact it was Thai, Im sure you meant 'Chinese'.
It's ok for you civvies, it'll be us doing more EO courses! LOL
when we get the infinity stares whilst eating a chinky in the jump do
It's ok for you civvies, it'll be us doing more EO courses! LOL
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"Wasn't that Harrier pilot the one who was on the recent series aboard (name eludes me, either Ark or Invincible) the aircraft carrier?"
Yeah, that's the one, "Bollie" or "Bolly" his "name" is. The carrier was "lusty". Warship the programme was called. Quite good it was too.
Actually, this "Bollie" or "Bolly" guy, I'm sure he was on another programme too? About pilots wanting to join the Red Arrows, (But this guy was called "Ballard" back then...Same person?) I think it was about an hour & half long show on BBC a couple of years ago? Anyone remember?...Really good, showed you them training in the UK and in Cyprus, and....E'uhmmm....Dressing up in ladies clothes, 70's disco's things & what not on their day off...(Each one to their own I guess)....
Evanepus, actually it's more sad I remembered the dressing up part more than it is you remembering the dodgy eyebrows and sideburns.
Yeah, that's the one, "Bollie" or "Bolly" his "name" is. The carrier was "lusty". Warship the programme was called. Quite good it was too.
Actually, this "Bollie" or "Bolly" guy, I'm sure he was on another programme too? About pilots wanting to join the Red Arrows, (But this guy was called "Ballard" back then...Same person?) I think it was about an hour & half long show on BBC a couple of years ago? Anyone remember?...Really good, showed you them training in the UK and in Cyprus, and....E'uhmmm....Dressing up in ladies clothes, 70's disco's things & what not on their day off...(Each one to their own I guess)....
Evanepus, actually it's more sad I remembered the dressing up part more than it is you remembering the dodgy eyebrows and sideburns.
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The Harrier pilot was working for Naval Strike Wing thus his sideys were probably not considered an issue. Most of the engineers that were pictured with "creeping sideburns" were RN, therefore not a problem!
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Well done the RAF PR & Media Team that handled channel 5, could you have made the RAF look less professional, probably not?
Unless its some sort of reverse psychology recruitment drive by the RAF ie "come on in as its easy street here"; but the programmes flanking Royal Navy adverts were far better to attract "the right stuff". Still, if the RAF are after the Ibiza brigade then this stuff should work.
Unless its some sort of reverse psychology recruitment drive by the RAF ie "come on in as its easy street here"; but the programmes flanking Royal Navy adverts were far better to attract "the right stuff". Still, if the RAF are after the Ibiza brigade then this stuff should work.
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'Bolly' as in 'Bollard' was in both the reds selection programme and Warship, and for those who have it recorded, Dexter Fletcher (our dear narrator from Warship) even mentions that Bolly was around on Lusty in the last series. And from my recollection, that series did for the Navy exactly what it seems to be doing for the RAF, and in the same tabloid-journalistic style.
If you look at it from the viewpoint of what is probably the target audience of mid-teenage lads'n'lasses who might be considering joining up, it's probably really interesting seeing what we (supposedly) get up to on ops. Better than being stuck on board Lusty from what I can make out!
I wonder which episode the Welsh lass get her RAF bottom and upside-down legs issued?
If you look at it from the viewpoint of what is probably the target audience of mid-teenage lads'n'lasses who might be considering joining up, it's probably really interesting seeing what we (supposedly) get up to on ops. Better than being stuck on board Lusty from what I can make out!
I wonder which episode the Welsh lass get her RAF bottom and upside-down legs issued?
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Oh Dear!!!!!! What a load of pants!
At least the Rocks were trying to be proffesional about the whole thing, as were the harrier techies, could not see the point of the random bikini shot though apart from trying to keep the bloke viewers interested,
It better get bloody better.
At least the Rocks were trying to be proffesional about the whole thing, as were the harrier techies, could not see the point of the random bikini shot though apart from trying to keep the bloke viewers interested,
It better get bloody better.
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Commence rant.
Those of you, who want to, try this for an analogy.
Cast your mind’s back to 1940 (OK…but try, just to humour me), let’s say RAF Biggin Hill.
Now, 1940, you would be about 19 or 20 years old, you are away from home, perhaps for the first time, you are getting bombed daily, working 24 hours a day fixing, refuelling, re-arming Spitfires and Hurricanes or supporting your mates who do.
Some of you will be flying into air combat and dying, some of you will be killed by the bombs or the blackout. Most of you will be **** scared.
For relaxation, there’s the Mess bar, the NAAFI, the Pub, the Hop. You will have three priorities
1. To get laid
2. To get pissed.
3. To survive.
You have Movietone News filming you.
All of you do a stunning job under crap conditions.
Now, bring your minds to the present date.
Change RAF Biggin Hill to ‘RAF’ Bastion.
Replace Spitfires and Hurricanes with Harriers, Hercs and Helo’s.
Delete priority 2 (but wish it were still possible).
You have Channel 5 filming you.
All of you do a stunning job under crap conditions.
For the armchair Generals/Admirals/Air Marshals ‘knockers’ of Welsh Adminers, Naval Sooties, LAC Rock’s, Pilot’s sideburns, Air Commodes wings etc etc will you grow up. This is their war, it being fought by 21st Century 19 and 20 year old’s.
Those guys and girls are out there doing the Queens Business and going into harms way. It is sickening, to me, to read some of the comments on this site.
If you are involved directly with OOA, fair enough, you can comment. But if you are not, who the hell gave you the right to criticise the people who continue to do what we once did.
For the record, my dids were 82 and 91.
End rant.
Those of you, who want to, try this for an analogy.
Cast your mind’s back to 1940 (OK…but try, just to humour me), let’s say RAF Biggin Hill.
Now, 1940, you would be about 19 or 20 years old, you are away from home, perhaps for the first time, you are getting bombed daily, working 24 hours a day fixing, refuelling, re-arming Spitfires and Hurricanes or supporting your mates who do.
Some of you will be flying into air combat and dying, some of you will be killed by the bombs or the blackout. Most of you will be **** scared.
For relaxation, there’s the Mess bar, the NAAFI, the Pub, the Hop. You will have three priorities
1. To get laid
2. To get pissed.
3. To survive.
You have Movietone News filming you.
All of you do a stunning job under crap conditions.
Now, bring your minds to the present date.
Change RAF Biggin Hill to ‘RAF’ Bastion.
Replace Spitfires and Hurricanes with Harriers, Hercs and Helo’s.
Delete priority 2 (but wish it were still possible).
You have Channel 5 filming you.
All of you do a stunning job under crap conditions.
For the armchair Generals/Admirals/Air Marshals ‘knockers’ of Welsh Adminers, Naval Sooties, LAC Rock’s, Pilot’s sideburns, Air Commodes wings etc etc will you grow up. This is their war, it being fought by 21st Century 19 and 20 year old’s.
Those guys and girls are out there doing the Queens Business and going into harms way. It is sickening, to me, to read some of the comments on this site.
If you are involved directly with OOA, fair enough, you can comment. But if you are not, who the hell gave you the right to criticise the people who continue to do what we once did.
For the record, my dids were 82 and 91.
End rant.
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Warzone Shame
I have been an avid PPRUNE reader for many years however, have seldom felt the compulsion to add my comment - until now. Having wasted 1hr of my well earned R&R from HERRICK watching this utter trash, I echo the sentiments of many of the above PPRUNERs regards their negativity towards the show - frankly, it was crap, and I can only hope that the next 7 episodes get a helluva lot better! I can't believe that RAF media engagement policy is now centred on following some Welsh bird around her daily routine of hairdryer, make-up, meet the boyfriend, ditch the boyfriend, go on a 'meat-hunt', fail on said meat-hunt, wear bikini and sunbathe. The Kajaki Dam convoy got about 30secs of coverage - i'm glad we put so much effort into getting it right! I know we are doing a good job at KAF and I know the troops on the ground wholeheartedly appreciate the support which we give them on a 24hr basis; its a shame we can't get better at selling the RAF story. Its hardly surprising the Army have such a negative view of what we do. Until we get better at sorting out our media message, what more can we expect?
Champagne anyone...?
I dont think some people realise that in Helmand young men are dying and living in holes while some Welsh bird can knock off at 4, run a little, have a shower, eat a pizza and go looking for "meat"
Taxydual: I am involved with OOA - a ridiculous amount of it, but thanks for the clearance to comment. The Air Cdre looks ridiculous with a fg suit patch on his DPMs. And there are no Hercs or Harriers based at "RAF" Bastion.
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Knocker
I didn't do Van Damme. He wasn't in the OOA's I was in. Although, I understand BN still doing her stuff in your OOA. Give my regards to her. DL would also, I'm certain, send his regards if he were able. Keep safe.
Stopstart
Thanks for correcting me re Harriers and Hercs. My cock up. Afghan 'fly on the walls' rolling into each other.
I really shouldn't post when
a. I have enjoyed excellent red wine (Aussie, of course).
b. point a. applies
Regards
Hic
I didn't do Van Damme. He wasn't in the OOA's I was in. Although, I understand BN still doing her stuff in your OOA. Give my regards to her. DL would also, I'm certain, send his regards if he were able. Keep safe.
Stopstart
Thanks for correcting me re Harriers and Hercs. My cock up. Afghan 'fly on the walls' rolling into each other.
I really shouldn't post when
a. I have enjoyed excellent red wine (Aussie, of course).
b. point a. applies
Regards
Hic
Last edited by taxydual; 6th Jan 2009 at 20:29.
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Too late Seldom, I made the apology for him - by deleting his peurile posting efforts. If he, and perhaps one or two more, cannot exercise a little control..........................
By and large I enjoyed the prog. But then again if you ain't been there and cannot soak up what atoms are around then its hard to make a reasoned opinion - like some on here I'm afraid.
Keep safe guys.
By and large I enjoyed the prog. But then again if you ain't been there and cannot soak up what atoms are around then its hard to make a reasoned opinion - like some on here I'm afraid.
Keep safe guys.
And there are no Hercs or Harriers based at "RAF" Bastion.
Life in Kandahar is no Picnic.
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mini,
Agreed.
Rockets or none, may I suggest a reduction in the Op Allowance for those that never leave the immense inner cordon that is KAF to reflect the very good facilities there?
Hard it most definitely ain't.
Or up the allowance for those that have to go to other less 18-30 like venues?
Discuss.
G
Agreed.
Rockets or none, may I suggest a reduction in the Op Allowance for those that never leave the immense inner cordon that is KAF to reflect the very good facilities there?
Hard it most definitely ain't.
Or up the allowance for those that have to go to other less 18-30 like venues?
Discuss.
G