The Best and Worst Postings in the RAF
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South of Old Warden
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Don't know if they still occur, but if you were lucky enough, 'Jollies' were also a feature of RAF life of yesteryear.
Whilst on 617 sqdn I was one of the goundcrew to support a Vulcan that was invited to participate in the airshow at the opening of Basle airport. We were given VIP treatment by the Swiss and of course the Vulcan stole the show, in spite of the likes of the USAF Skyblazers flying Supersabres.
My best one was with 32 Sqdn at Akrotiri. The Sqdn was chosen to do the fly past over the National Stadium when Nyasaland was given independence and became Malawi, in 1964. I was one of 4 cpls who flew in the 4 Canberras down to Chileka airport, just outside Blantyre, where we stayed with ex-pats during our time there. Needless to say we did plenty of socialising and sightseeing during the course of our two weeks away.
Happy days!
Apologies for 'banging on' about the old days
Whilst on 617 sqdn I was one of the goundcrew to support a Vulcan that was invited to participate in the airshow at the opening of Basle airport. We were given VIP treatment by the Swiss and of course the Vulcan stole the show, in spite of the likes of the USAF Skyblazers flying Supersabres.
My best one was with 32 Sqdn at Akrotiri. The Sqdn was chosen to do the fly past over the National Stadium when Nyasaland was given independence and became Malawi, in 1964. I was one of 4 cpls who flew in the 4 Canberras down to Chileka airport, just outside Blantyre, where we stayed with ex-pats during our time there. Needless to say we did plenty of socialising and sightseeing during the course of our two weeks away.
Happy days!
Apologies for 'banging on' about the old days
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
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The worst; Leuchars. Arriving there as a naive 17 yo LAC it was an intimidating and lonely place to be. Sharing a two man room amongst five, bunk beds and all just made it worse.
Best; Leuchars. As I settled in and matured it was a great busy place with excellent sports opportunities and a lovely area. The locals could be very friendly too!
Posted from Pprune.org App for Android
Best; Leuchars. As I settled in and matured it was a great busy place with excellent sports opportunities and a lovely area. The locals could be very friendly too!
Posted from Pprune.org App for Android
If you've got some time on your hands, Wayoutwest, you may care to have a look at the following:
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...bonnieist.html
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...est-bases.html
and this one one appears to be a hot favourite
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...h-mid-70s.html
Over to you!
Jack
PS I always like landing at Richmond
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...bonnieist.html
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...est-bases.html
and this one one appears to be a hot favourite
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...h-mid-70s.html
Over to you!
Jack
PS I always like landing at Richmond
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: South Africa
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I was luckier than most, so:
Best: RAF Liaison Party Istres/Orange. I was on the unit when it moved.
Also very good an accompanied tour at Akrotiri.
Worst: Any of the 3 winters that I spent at Yatesbury.
Best: RAF Liaison Party Istres/Orange. I was on the unit when it moved.
Also very good an accompanied tour at Akrotiri.
Worst: Any of the 3 winters that I spent at Yatesbury.
Join Date: Aug 2013
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What Choice?
On returning from a tour in Cyprus I dutifully filled in my preferences form:
Negative area of choice ----------------Scotland
Negative type of employment --------Fighter Aircraft
I was duly posted to RAF Northolt. Nine months later I found myself on 111 Sqn (Phantoms) at RAF Leuchars . I did laugh.
Many years later I was posted to Gutersloh at which I complained bitterly to be told that I had volunteered for the posting 14 years previously.
Great tour though.
Negative area of choice ----------------Scotland
Negative type of employment --------Fighter Aircraft
I was duly posted to RAF Northolt. Nine months later I found myself on 111 Sqn (Phantoms) at RAF Leuchars . I did laugh.
Many years later I was posted to Gutersloh at which I complained bitterly to be told that I had volunteered for the posting 14 years previously.
Great tour though.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
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Best: Sealand
Worst: Sealand
The social life for an 18yr old newly qualified and minted J/T was outstanding. The work was highly skilled, but boring beyond belief.
Worst: Sealand
The social life for an 18yr old newly qualified and minted J/T was outstanding. The work was highly skilled, but boring beyond belief.
My best tour, by far, was Lyneham October 87 to September 97. Including 6 years as an Aircraft Ground Engineer, where I spent something like 270 days a year "down route". Second best has to be Colerne March 71 to June 73, my first posting from Apprentice training at Halton and my introduction to the wonderful "Albert". I don't think I have a worst, I just made the best I could of wherever I went. Always some great people around, of all ranks and trades.
Smudge
Smudge
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Worst, Waddington, spending 3 years waiting for the AEW3.
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Best............ RAF Thorney Island in the 60s and early 70s
Enjoyed all the others really, shame they have all been closed or given to the Army! If I had to chose ...........
Worse........ Depends on your job but either MOD Main Bldg or Muharraq in mid 60s
Enjoyed all the others really, shame they have all been closed or given to the Army! If I had to chose ...........
Worse........ Depends on your job but either MOD Main Bldg or Muharraq in mid 60s
Just another erk
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Best RAF Valley (MR) & RAF Scampton (617sqn)
Worst RAF Sealand
I even thought Khormaksar was better than Sealand.
Worst RAF Sealand
I even thought Khormaksar was better than Sealand.
Last edited by ArthurR; 6th Nov 2013 at 09:37.