The Best and Worst Postings in the RAF
Hunter block
I moved there probably mid 1962,it was fairly new then .Before that in the old blocks .Most of the people working on sqdns worked long hours and 8 was no exception covering the Radfan so not much time off .Best memories are days at conquest bay with a cheap mask and snorkel!Worst being on earlies and staying to fix snags so we would enough kites for the next day.Still I was young and fit !
Best - Kai Tak - for a 21 year old bachelor, being in Hong Kong was like being a kid in a sweet shop.
Worst - Kai Tak. I'd moved from being in charge (nominally!) of an 80 man fire section at Seletar. Heady stuff for a 20 year old. Now I had a sergeant and a corporal and an ill-defined role on a small station, and a station commander who saw I had little to do and commandeered me as his unofficial PA.
Surprised how often Marham is mentioned in the "worst" category. I had almost six very happy years there, and even after 35 years in Cornwall I still hanker after moving back to Norfolk.
Worst - Kai Tak. I'd moved from being in charge (nominally!) of an 80 man fire section at Seletar. Heady stuff for a 20 year old. Now I had a sergeant and a corporal and an ill-defined role on a small station, and a station commander who saw I had little to do and commandeered me as his unofficial PA.
Surprised how often Marham is mentioned in the "worst" category. I had almost six very happy years there, and even after 35 years in Cornwall I still hanker after moving back to Norfolk.
I've just reread the whole thread and have to come to the conclusion, despite my own post, that there is no such thing as the best or worst posting in the RAF. None of us have served in a sufficient quantity to make that judgement, what we do is pontificate our own preferences. I never served at Coltishall, but someone who did will rate it very highly I suspect, and who am I to judge. It sounds a bit corny I suppose, but perhaps to have served is reward enough, and rough with smooth, the job not the place was the reward.
Smudge
Smudge
Smudge,
I take your point but would add 'people' to 'job'.
During my time I made many acquaintances but just a few long lasting friendships. What I did find, however, is that when these acquaintances resurfaced, the conversation started again where it left off 'X' years before.
That said, about 15 years ago I got back with a group of guys from my early years and now we are all more stable, those acquaintanceships have developed into the long lasting friendships I bemoaned above.
I have often said that there were some people I really liked, some I liked, some I tolerated, a few I preferred to avoid, several I actively disliked but only one I f%^&$£d hated. As that individual is similarly regarded by several people whose judgement I trust - perhaps my unworthy thoughts were actually right!!!
Old Duffer
I take your point but would add 'people' to 'job'.
During my time I made many acquaintances but just a few long lasting friendships. What I did find, however, is that when these acquaintances resurfaced, the conversation started again where it left off 'X' years before.
That said, about 15 years ago I got back with a group of guys from my early years and now we are all more stable, those acquaintanceships have developed into the long lasting friendships I bemoaned above.
I have often said that there were some people I really liked, some I liked, some I tolerated, a few I preferred to avoid, several I actively disliked but only one I f%^&$£d hated. As that individual is similarly regarded by several people whose judgement I trust - perhaps my unworthy thoughts were actually right!!!
Old Duffer
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these acquaintances resurfaced, the conversation started again where it left off
You can't put a price on that sort of thing
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Strangely, mine would have been at #82, #83 and #84, Kaitak in 1966 and 1972-74, after Changi in 1967-69 was great. Visiting Gan every two months for two weeks from Kaitak was even better.
Went on a holiday to Gan this year. Stayed in what was the Sgts Mess. In two weeks we were there we two of 15 guests. Heaven.
The worst place was, didn't have one.
Went on a holiday to Gan this year. Stayed in what was the Sgts Mess. In two weeks we were there we two of 15 guests. Heaven.
The worst place was, didn't have one.
Best RAF Gan.
Worst none.
I went back in 2000 and stayed in the Equator Village, the former W.O's and Sergeant's mess. Just a couple of Germans and the occasional Antonov crew. Heaven!!!!!
Worst none.
I went back in 2000 and stayed in the Equator Village, the former W.O's and Sergeant's mess. Just a couple of Germans and the occasional Antonov crew. Heaven!!!!!
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I've just reread the whole thread and have to come to the conclusion, despite my own post, that there is no such thing as the best or worst posting in the RAF. None of us have served in a sufficient quantity to make that judgement, what we do is pontificate our own preferences. I never served at Coltishall, but someone who did will rate it very highly I suspect, and who am I to judge. It sounds a bit corny I suppose, but perhaps to have served is reward enough, and rough with smooth, the job not the place was the reward.
Smudge
Smudge
Tom
Best/ Worst
Best; Akrotiri late 60s early 70s two and a half years at the sailing club, great place, great people, great sailing and even the M.U. wasn't a bad place to work.
Worst Laarbruch; place was good, people were good, just that as a life long truckie working on an aircraft where the arse caught fire and no one came round with a cup of tea and a butty box wasn't for me.
Worst Laarbruch; place was good, people were good, just that as a life long truckie working on an aircraft where the arse caught fire and no one came round with a cup of tea and a butty box wasn't for me.
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Best postings
Best for me Ballykelly and Kinloss, mainly because of the chance of some excellent detachments and the people, RAF and local.
I didn't mind Khormaksar (apart from the food) but it was nice to get detached to Sharjah. Best detachments were Majunga from Ballykelly and Changi from Kinloss. I would not have minded Masirah, Gan or Sharjah or any Singapore base as a posting from what I saw during detachments.
I never had a worst, but I would have hated St Athan!
I didn't mind Khormaksar (apart from the food) but it was nice to get detached to Sharjah. Best detachments were Majunga from Ballykelly and Changi from Kinloss. I would not have minded Masirah, Gan or Sharjah or any Singapore base as a posting from what I saw during detachments.
I never had a worst, but I would have hated St Athan!
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Originally posted by wingnutsdg
Especially the spring butterfly hunt at 0600.
I didn't mind Khormaksar (apart from the food) but it was nice to get
detached to Sharjah.
detached to Sharjah.
Best:
1. Bruggen 89-92
2. Bruggen 95-98
Worst:
Not really had a poor tour anywhere, Spadeadam was a bit remote but camaraderie amongst the small living in cohort was excellent.
1. Bruggen 89-92
2. Bruggen 95-98
Worst:
Not really had a poor tour anywhere, Spadeadam was a bit remote but camaraderie amongst the small living in cohort was excellent.
Resuscitated, so I'd better get mine in before it goes into hibernation again.
Best:
1. Any one of the three tours on II Sqn RAF Regt
2. Swinderby. I mean that! Tour was only 6 months long and I met my wife there. These two factors are connected!
3. West Raynham. Fantastic spirit, son born there.
Worst:
3. STC, 'nuff said.
2. STC the second time.
1. MPA, except for the gym.
Batco
Best:
1. Any one of the three tours on II Sqn RAF Regt
2. Swinderby. I mean that! Tour was only 6 months long and I met my wife there. These two factors are connected!
3. West Raynham. Fantastic spirit, son born there.
Worst:
3. STC, 'nuff said.
2. STC the second time.
1. MPA, except for the gym.
Batco