War Zone on Channel 5
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War Zone on Channel 5
"Documentary series following the lives of British servicemen and women at Kandahar Airbase". First installment "A Harrier jump jet is scrambled to fight the Taliban; a new squadron of recruits arrives from the UK; and one young female officer finds ways to make the most of life in a war zone."
Series starts Monday 5th Jan at 2100 on Channel 5
Series starts Monday 5th Jan at 2100 on Channel 5
Last edited by beerdrinker; 30th Dec 2008 at 19:23. Reason: Updating content
Always entertaining when Kandahar and War Zone appear in the same sentence.
I believe this is the series where RMP's are interviewed and express complete astonishment that members of the British Armed Forces could be employed within an operational theatre and allow themselves to be seen in daylight wearing.....wait for it.....
'faded combats'.
Its not like people have anything better to do with their time there.
I believe this is the series where RMP's are interviewed and express complete astonishment that members of the British Armed Forces could be employed within an operational theatre and allow themselves to be seen in daylight wearing.....wait for it.....
'faded combats'.
Its not like people have anything better to do with their time there.
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Always entertaining when Kandahar and War Zone appear in the same sentence.
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Like it or not you opened the debate Minigun
So lets continue...
Why not try passing on your view of Kandahar to the familes of three gunners sent back from here, - of which one now is minus a lower leg - and two still in lengthy rehab following an IED strike in recent months. Try telling that to the Candians in Task Force Kandahar who lost 3 guys just last weekend. Try telling that to the other European familes who have had their loved ones/kids flown back in recent months after they were badly injured in IDF attacks.
Frankly, your point of view stinks...and is an immature cheap shot at people critical to successs in AFG; most of all you display ill-considered timing. Best of luck and well done if you have been deployed elsewhere and had it tougher. We'll crack on out here.
And, to the point of the original post, I'm looking forward to the documentary - well done to Channel 5 to pick up on a different and non-Helmandshire role that the UK is involved in in AFG. From what I saw, the crew were a top bunch and really engaged in what goes on out here. I think the prospects are good for the series.
Why not try passing on your view of Kandahar to the familes of three gunners sent back from here, - of which one now is minus a lower leg - and two still in lengthy rehab following an IED strike in recent months. Try telling that to the Candians in Task Force Kandahar who lost 3 guys just last weekend. Try telling that to the other European familes who have had their loved ones/kids flown back in recent months after they were badly injured in IDF attacks.
Frankly, your point of view stinks...and is an immature cheap shot at people critical to successs in AFG; most of all you display ill-considered timing. Best of luck and well done if you have been deployed elsewhere and had it tougher. We'll crack on out here.
And, to the point of the original post, I'm looking forward to the documentary - well done to Channel 5 to pick up on a different and non-Helmandshire role that the UK is involved in in AFG. From what I saw, the crew were a top bunch and really engaged in what goes on out here. I think the prospects are good for the series.
Very well,
The UK commitment is to Helmand. KAF is a MOB/APOD from which to support operations in Helmand.
There are a few exceptions to this, such as RC South, the BG and ourselves (the IRT/HRF aircraft are TFH assets, the remainder are RC South assets).
However, half of the UK personnel deployed to Afghanistan are employed at KAF, and considerable expense in support infrastructure and manpower.
There are dozens of nations employed at KAF. Yet in addition to the IMP, the RMP and all the foreign MP's, the RAF has 13 provost officers based at KAF. 13!
Some, will be based and move around, such as counter -narcotic blah. But 13 seems a trifle excessive, especially when you consider the pyramid below them.
A base which has enough manpower to deploy personnel outside DFACs to ensure UK forces are dressed correctly is overborne.
We can all look around and see people doing an outstanding job at KAF. Conversely, we can all see fat that could be easily cut at KAF. As far as the public is concerned, the figures given are for fighting troops, such as yourself.
You can agree, or disagree, I really don't care. You spend months guarding the excess, not I.
Flying them to the FOB's is not a problem we have encountered.
The UK commitment is to Helmand. KAF is a MOB/APOD from which to support operations in Helmand.
There are a few exceptions to this, such as RC South, the BG and ourselves (the IRT/HRF aircraft are TFH assets, the remainder are RC South assets).
However, half of the UK personnel deployed to Afghanistan are employed at KAF, and considerable expense in support infrastructure and manpower.
There are dozens of nations employed at KAF. Yet in addition to the IMP, the RMP and all the foreign MP's, the RAF has 13 provost officers based at KAF. 13!
Some, will be based and move around, such as counter -narcotic blah. But 13 seems a trifle excessive, especially when you consider the pyramid below them.
A base which has enough manpower to deploy personnel outside DFACs to ensure UK forces are dressed correctly is overborne.
We can all look around and see people doing an outstanding job at KAF. Conversely, we can all see fat that could be easily cut at KAF. As far as the public is concerned, the figures given are for fighting troops, such as yourself.
You can agree, or disagree, I really don't care. You spend months guarding the excess, not I.
Flying them to the FOB's is not a problem we have encountered.
Last edited by minigundiplomat; 31st Dec 2008 at 16:53.
Anybody see the trailers running over Christmas on Ch 5 for this series? Something along the lines of " young Brits having a party .... just like thousands of other Brits abroad .... only this one is interrupted by the Taliban". I just have a horrible feeling that there may be the odd "PR shot to the foot" moment and one that may backfire (again) on the light blue .....
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Wrath,
I have horrible feeling you may be spot on I had the misfortune to be involved first hand and could well find my ugly mug on screen..........god forbid 
Whilst there was some undeniably good footage of us doing airdrop and the like there is also some rather inane stuff that they may use. On my second to last night we were fortunate enough to pick up a nice Thai meal from Kabul which the film crew insisted they record us eating whilst sat in the para door for the transit home.......queue the usual pie eating comments that us Albert crews have worked so hard to engender over the years
However what that little snap shot will not convey is that
a This was the first hot meal the crew had had in 3 days.
b In my 16 day stint, short timer I know, we only made it to the mess 6 times due to tasking
c I lost 3/4 stone which by all accounts is not an untypical amount
I am sure to Joe Public the series will be pretty good and and will make fairly compelling watching but I have this sneaking feeling us light blue folk are going to be right royally raped by our sister services once this programme comes to air
I have horrible feeling you may be spot on
I had the misfortune to be involved first hand and could well find my ugly mug on screen..........god forbid Whilst there was some undeniably good footage of us doing airdrop and the like there is also some rather inane stuff that they may use. On my second to last night we were fortunate enough to pick up a nice Thai meal from Kabul which the film crew insisted they record us eating whilst sat in the para door for the transit home.......queue the usual pie eating comments that us Albert crews have worked so hard to engender over the years
However what that little snap shot will not convey is that
a This was the first hot meal the crew had had in 3 days.
b In my 16 day stint, short timer I know, we only made it to the mess 6 times due to tasking
c I lost 3/4 stone which by all accounts is not an untypical amount
I am sure to Joe Public the series will be pretty good and and will make fairly compelling watching but I have this sneaking feeling us light blue folk are going to be right royally raped by our sister services once this programme comes to air
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Minigun throws smoke...
and avoids the original question about their uncalled for, ill-considered snipe at those fighting from KAF. 
Just to correct your belief that Helmand is something different to KAF; i.e. in some way a UK venture outwith NATO... The UK is committed to the NATO ISAF mission. They supply a Bde + sp els to NATO, who in turn hand them off to RC(S), who uses that Bde in Helmand and holds one BG as the reserve. The UK also delivers also on that commitment to NATO by filling a number of key posts at KAF; particularly in COMKAF's Area. Both are commitments to NATO and not anything different. On top of that commitment to NATO, if the UK decides to suport its NATO-assigned troops with national assets it is free to do so; it sounds like you fit in that category... Oh, 13 RAFP Officers? Nah. Two maybe that I know of; and a handful of RAFP NCOs (AT SY/CI etc).
But, hey, that would be me focussing on the smoke screen.
Just to correct your belief that Helmand is something different to KAF; i.e. in some way a UK venture outwith NATO... The UK is committed to the NATO ISAF mission. They supply a Bde + sp els to NATO, who in turn hand them off to RC(S), who uses that Bde in Helmand and holds one BG as the reserve. The UK also delivers also on that commitment to NATO by filling a number of key posts at KAF; particularly in COMKAF's Area. Both are commitments to NATO and not anything different. On top of that commitment to NATO, if the UK decides to suport its NATO-assigned troops with national assets it is free to do so; it sounds like you fit in that category... Oh, 13 RAFP Officers? Nah. Two maybe that I know of; and a handful of RAFP NCOs (AT SY/CI etc).
But, hey, that would be me focussing on the smoke screen.
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Seems to me that the goverment could save a shed load of cash here.
As mingun thinks that he can sort out the trouble in Afghan ALL by himself.
His mum must be sooo proud!
As mingun thinks that he can sort out the trouble in Afghan ALL by himself.
His mum must be sooo proud!
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MGD
Perhaps you may want to pop along and see this chap and tell him that he was not in a War zone.
Clicky Thingy
Perhaps you may want to pop along and see this chap and tell him that he was not in a War zone.
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The comments from Minigun are ill considered at best and insulting to those who have lost friends and relatives at worst. Despite his cynical and often scathing contributions on this site, he would do well to remember who the real opposition is. If you are this cynical or disrespectful of others then perhaps you should reconsider why you continue to be part of the "team"!
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Perhaps Minigun would do better to remember that KAF is a base from which several units deploy in direct support of the many on-going ops.
Not everything is centred around helos.
Spare a though for everyone outside your pitiful little universe.
On the filming side, I found the crew to be first-rate altough a little upset when I stopped them taking shots of my crew and aircraft. Apart from that they were well on-side.
Not everything is centred around helos.
Spare a though for everyone outside your pitiful little universe.
On the filming side, I found the crew to be first-rate altough a little upset when I stopped them taking shots of my crew and aircraft. Apart from that they were well on-side.
Hate to intrude but minigundiplomat made 2 points. I don't agree with his first, but (as a civvie sitting snug and warm here in UK) I did find it surreal that the possibility of RMP's being concerned over the wearing of faded combats. If that topic IS in the series, I do worry about what the priorities are for the guys actually at the sharp end fighting on our behalf not being distracted by concerns about the state of the uniforms.
Happy New Year to all on operations, and make it back safe, please.
Happy New Year to all on operations, and make it back safe, please.
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While I am totally against military bullSh1t whilst on operations, a line in the sand must be drawn between being a professional military organization and a rag tag outfit, especially when in the eyes of our Allies.
The question is though - At what point do we draw the line?
The question is though - At what point do we draw the line?
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The question is though - At what point do we draw the line?
The RAF, I hate to admit this, are the worst of the bunch.
Guys at FOBs, in daily contact, with no hot water etc have a vaild excuse for not wasting what little resources they have.
I take offence to the SAC on the line, or the MT Driver at KAF who thinks he's Andy McNab with long hair, Elvis chops, no hat and no excuse.
We are in the military - take a look at the other forces based at KAF. Have you ever seen any scruffy Aussies or Americans in uniform? Probably not.
I have spent the best part of 3 years at KAF since 2001/2 and have seen a gradual decrease of standards from the RAF units detached there.
Ops yes - lack of discipline and personal standards - no
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Seldom wrote; Lots of stuff about being told to eat a takeaway to camera by a nasty film producer called Piers..
".. whilst there was some undeniably good footage of us doing airdrop and the like there is also some rather inane stuff that they may use. On my second to last night we were fortunate enough to pick up a nice Thai meal from Kabul which the film crew insisted they record us eating whilst sat in the para door for the transit home.......queue the usual pie eating comments that us Albert crews have worked so hard to engender over the years.
I am sure to Joe Public the series will be pretty good and and will make fairly compelling watching but I have this sneaking feeling us light blue folk are going to be right royally raped by our sister services once this programme comes to air."
".. whilst there was some undeniably good footage of us doing airdrop and the like there is also some rather inane stuff that they may use. On my second to last night we were fortunate enough to pick up a nice Thai meal from Kabul which the film crew insisted they record us eating whilst sat in the para door for the transit home.......queue the usual pie eating comments that us Albert crews have worked so hard to engender over the years.
I am sure to Joe Public the series will be pretty good and and will make fairly compelling watching but I have this sneaking feeling us light blue folk are going to be right royally raped by our sister services once this programme comes to air."
A spot of basic media handling, a splash of common sense and trying just that little bit harder not to mince when you're in the vicinity of a tv camera would have worked wonders. 'Raped'? For being a media whore, for your naivety and stupidity (and even worse - admitting it), you deserve all you get from the army mate. And right up the ARRSE too.
Well well Beerdrinker!! I bet you never thought you would start this 'rant and rave' when you started the thread??
Can't wait to see what is said after the prog is actually shown on TV!!
Will have set the Sky+ to record so I can see what its all about!
Can't wait to see what is said after the prog is actually shown on TV!!
Will have set the Sky+ to record so I can see what its all about!
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Al,
Thanks for yet another valuable input but in your fervour to take another pop you seem to have completely missed the point..........again
Who do you think authorised the film crew to be on board? Who do you think sent down the brief that all those involved in any filming were to co operate fully with the C5 guys as all submissions were going to be vetted by PJHQ.................so where do you get the notion I had any say in the matter?
My post was in reply to Wrath where I was agreeing that there was real potential that, whilst the public may well lap it all up, our dark blue and green cousins may get some real mileage out of it, probably all a bit subtle for you but there it is
Thanks for yet another valuable input but in your fervour to take another pop you seem to have completely missed the point..........again
Who do you think authorised the film crew to be on board? Who do you think sent down the brief that all those involved in any filming were to co operate fully with the C5 guys as all submissions were going to be vetted by PJHQ.................so where do you get the notion I had any say in the matter?
My post was in reply to Wrath where I was agreeing that there was real potential that, whilst the public may well lap it all up, our dark blue and green cousins may get some real mileage out of it, probably all a bit subtle for you but there it is
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Newt. Yes I am suprised!!!!!!! I knew the series was in the offing and when I saw it trailled on C5 I thought that as it would be of interest to people on this forum, I would let them know when it was starting. Silly me!!!!!
As per my email to you I will be watching on Monday
BD
As per my email to you I will be watching on Monday
BD